Expert: Brad Sears - 8/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: I own this vehicle and am having a hard time finding out how to have the gas gauge repaired in this vehicle.  I have been told different things.  The fuel gauge is not registering. From what I understand there is a resistor on the gauge???????????? It is a 340 cu in engine  automatic. No one seems to know how I can get this fixed.  Please Help

ANSWER: Are you looking to do the job yourself and need direction or are you looking for some one to do it for you? Let me know.
Brad


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am trying to get it fixed but no one around this outport area seems to know how it is to be fixed. I have been searching the internet to try and find out some information on this system. From what I can see  is that there is a fuel pump. I assume the resistor is in/ the fuel pump system . I cannot see a wire that leads to the resistor  so I am kinda lost at this point.  Not having a manual to look at for this year vehicle makes it harder for me to figure out.  At least if I knew a little more of how this gauge is configured then I may be able to have a mechanic look at it, otherwise they want to rip everything apart and that is just not in the cards. This vehicle is completely original and has approx. 90,000 miles on the engine at this point.  It is in showroom condition and I have won awards with it  so I am hesitant to let a so called mechanic that is not familar with it to work on it.  I had a garage fix the power roof switch and they looked at the gauge at that point and said I needed to get a resistor  but they could not tell me more than that. Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to replace the original equipment if possible.  thanks


Answer
The gauge set up gets its power from the ignition switch and feed all the gauges including the oil pressure and water temperature. So if these gauges are working and the fuel is not then it is not the so called resistor behind the dash. The way that I go about diagnosing the fuel gauge is to start at the fuel tank. With the ignition off disconnect the fuel gauge wire from the tank and connect the wire to ground with a jumper wire. The turn on the key. If the gauge goes to full the dash unit and wiring is ok and the problem is in the sender in the fuel tank. If the gauge does not move off zero then the problem is the dash unit or wiring. Most likely it will be the dash gauge.
Brad