Weird fuel gauge issue

[Markjames]

I've been scouring the boards for something that might point me in the right direction with the fuel gauge issue I have - but no luck, so maybe someone can suggest an answer?

The fuel gauge on our 1953 Series 2 (1098 engine conversion) sits permanently on empty. It does flick when you turn on the ignition, but stays on empty. When you remove the wire from the sender unit it goes raoidly to full and stays there. Any idea what the problem could be?? Is it a faulty sender??

Thanks in advance!

Mark

[MarkyB]

Does it have a gold speedo?
The system used with the Black speedo was different and may not coexist with the earlier sender I suppose.
What happens if you earth the sender wire?

It may just be the wires are on the wrong sides of the gauge.

[mike.perry]

The 53 Series 2 has a small speedo and separate fuel gauge.
I cannot get mine to work either. I have 3 gauges and non of them work when I connect 12v across the terminals. I try the same thing with my 1098 gauges and they both read full.
Meanwhile I carry a dipstick and a spare can of petrol in the boot

[Markjames]

Thanks Gents for the information. I might dig a little deeper into the sender to see if anything is amiss there before I resort to a dipping stick. I'm an old tractor bod really and only just getting into Minors, so I'm fully conversant with dipping sticks which are a standard tool for te pre war tractor operator! A spare can in the back is also a very good idea!

Thanks again!

Mark

[mike.perry]

Ever come across a Morris side valve engine in a tractor?

[Markjames]

Not recently! I remember seeing somethng similar in a roller once, which if I remember correctly was in use on a cricket pitch, like a lot ended up.

I wouldn't want to be disparaging, but car engines are for cars in my view! We go for things a little larger, more robust etc. i have John Deere, Caterpillar and Massey Ferguson among others hanging around in states of repair and disrepair!

Best regards

Mark

[Markjames]

Further to the initial posting - I decided to fit a new sender unit. Hey presto! One fuel gauge that works perfectly!

[bmcecosse]

Great success.....

[mike.perry]

I have fitted a new gauge and now mine works . A loose nut rattling around inside did not help.

[Thaya]

MarkJames,

I'm experiencing the exact symptoms you mentioned initially. Is it just the sender you replaced?

Tank was almost full and

When ignition is on

1. Removing the sender wire makes the gauge show full
2. Sender wire earthed, gauge rests at 'E'
3. Sender wire connected, gauge is a millimeter or two away from 'E'

When ignition is off
4. Gauge rests at 'E'

I measured the sender resistance when the tank was full : 40 ohms (This somehow matches with readings mentioned here : http://www.christran.net/mmfuelgauge.htm)

When the tank becomes empty the gauge travels to 'F'

Could anybody shed some light as to what the wiring is? As per the above link, low resistance at full tank means more current and full deflection of the gauge, which clearly is not the case with my car...

btw, it is negative earth.

Thanks in advance!

[bmcecosse]

Age of car? Colour of speedo? Does the gauge needle 'flick' or does it move slowly ?