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Topic: Fuel Gauge Issue

in Forum: C3 Electrical


Fuel Gauge Issue

Posted: 7/4/23 3:10pm Message 1 of 4
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 72 Coupe - My fuel gauge was acting wonky, so I cleaned the contacts at the sending unit, all the grounds in the rear lighting, and the ground at the rear frame. Now, it works great except for when I turn on the lights.

When the light switch is pulled to first or second position, the fuel gauge goes to Empty. 

I'm guessing a bad connection to the ground wire at the gauge, or a bad headlight switch ? Neither will be fun to get to, so which area would you inspect first ?




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Re: Fuel Gauge Issue

Posted: 7/4/23 7:59pm Message 2 of 4
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Well...since you mentioned the ground on the frame at the rear, I would start there. The grounds for the lights and fuel sender are in the same spot. Turning the lights on causes the lights to ground thru the fuel sender, which in turn would think the tank is empty. If you dis-connect the sender, the gauge should show full. As the sender float goes down, it increases the resistance, and moves the needle on the gauge down. I would suspect you disturbed the ground(s) there, and just need to re-visit, and clean. 




Joel Adams
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Re: Fuel Gauge Issue

Posted: 7/5/23 11:46am Message 3 of 4
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Good call, thanks !

I ran a temporary ground from the sending unit to the frame and the gauge reads steady. So I have a little more ground cleaning to do, but you saved me from going into the dash for no reason !




Re: Fuel Gauge Issue

Posted: 7/5/23 7:46pm Message 4 of 4
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Good to hear! 👍




Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

in Forum: C3 Electrical


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