how to fix fuel level needle

Hey guys,

When replacing my gauge face, I thought I set the needle back to the correct position, but apparently not. Now. When filling up, it wont read past between 1/4 and 1/2 tank of gas. It tries.. but then clicks back down.. Like its stuck.

I think its reading its "full" and wont go any higher, meaning I need to reset it so that "highest" point is actually at the full mark instead of where it currently sits.

Only way I can think of fixing it and knowing where my fuel level is, is to fill the tank to full... (until the pump shuts off) then turn the truck on, let it reset the needle, and then set the needle to the full mark. Ill just have to watch it for the duration of the tank, see how many miles I get, then when it hits the low fuel light, fill it up again and see how many gallons it takes.

Thoughts?

-Moose

 

Could have trashed the stepper motor that runs in somehow in the remove and install

 

Not a stepping motor. More like an ammeter.

 

Bump for josh

 

Really?
I thought everything has been steppers since the early 90s.

 

OP don't listen to these guys. When you remove the needles they lose their "home position".

You need to wind the needle until you feel the resistance change, it gets a little tougher to spin. It usually takes 1-1.5 full turns before you can feel it.

Then set it to where you had your fuel level. Sometimes it takes 2-3 tries to get it right so keep the dash apart plug in the cluster and let it idle for a few minutes and see if the needle stays where you want.

 

Thanks for the reply fellas.

Yeah I felt the resistance when taking them apart. Was going to do it last night but still dont have my truck back yet. Will take it apart tonight.

As far as spinning it, trying to remember... I will be spinning clockwise to feel the resistance and set it right?

Just gotta fill the tank so I know where to set the needle. Otherwise I have no idea where the fuel level is.

 

well, i think i got it all sorted out. after a few tries i think its at where it needs to be. filled up, placed the needle at full. with the ignition OFF, it drops to right about the top horizontal line of the E. ill keep an eye on it along with the Trip.

I have about 15 miles on it right now after i filled up, the needle hasnt moved (like normal) so hopefully in the next 15 or so miles it will begin to drop.

anyone have a picture or insight on where the needle should sit when the low fuel light comes on? Thats how I'll check to make sure its accurate.

 

Rich is almost right. Most all cars went to stepper motors in the late 90s. They haven't been "ammeter" setups for many years.

Not sure on when the low fuel light comes on, but whenever I had one that was inaccurate, regardless of the type of vehicle, I simply removed the needle , connected the cluster, disconnected the connector for the fuel tank, turned on the key, then installed the needle in the position it is in for a totally empty tank. Then reconnected everything. Once or twice I was a small amount off, but it usually works every time.

 

interesting.. so your saying that disconnecting the fuel tank (the sender unit?) then plugging it all back in would "reset" it and raise it to the correct level?

 

Low fuel light should come one with the needle about 1/3 closest to the line to the "E"
That's how accurate you're going to get it. The needle is one thing the light runs on the amount of fuel left...so there's 3 gallons left when the light turns on

 

cool thanks man!

I'll keep an eye on it, and will adjust it if necessary when the low fuel light comes on.

 

No prob.
Stock fuel needles(gauges) aren't always accurate anyways lol it's just a guestamite

 

yeah i figured i would never get it exact. i use my trip most of the time anyways. i just dont want the needle to be way off when the low fuel light comes on.

i set the needle right above the full line when i filled up, so it should be pretty close when the light does come on.

 

Sounds good. It's funny every truck is different...I've had to work on so many that most before I even touch them don't sit right (came from factory like that)
Some sit higher than the F or at line
Same goes with the rest of the needles

 

No, what I am saying is that by disconnecting the fuel tank connector, the cluster gets the same signal as if the fuel tank were empty. It is basically tricking the cluster into thinking "empty" tank, so the internal servo will go to the "empty" position.

 

ahh got it. ok. but then when reconnecting it, does the needle return to where the actual fuel level is afterwards?

 

this is the reason i had issues btw.. swapped in a new gauge face.

 

60% of the time it works every time ehh?

 

Bahh.... Much ado about nothing.

Can't even see the thing