1976 fuel gauge issue

[solomaxhd]

I recentyl bought a 76 with a 302 and 3 speed manual trans. all of the instrument cluster gauges work fine, except the fuel gauge stays at below E. I cleaned the grounds for both tanks and when i did that the gauge would go up a 32nd of an inch toward E. then I found a partially broken Black wire that attaches to the post on the back of the fuel gaue, but that didnt change anything. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Bronc76]

I recentyl bought a 76 with a 302 and 3 speed manual trans. all of the instrument cluster gauges work fine, except the fuel gauge stays at below E. I cleaned the grounds for both tanks and when i did that the gauge would go up a 32nd of an inch toward E. then I found a partially broken Black wire that attaches to the post on the back of the fuel gaue, but that didnt change anything. Any suggestions would be great.

sm- i had the similar problem on mine, i pulled it out to see if it was moving freely and checked all the wiring and could not find any problems, so i end up buying a new one. You might want to check to make sure it isnt sticking.

 

[Bronc76]

sm- i had the similar problem on mine, i pulled it out to see if it was moving freely and checked all the wiring and could not find any problems, so i end up buying a new one. You might want to check to make sure it isnt sticking.

Is the problem in both tanks or one?

 

[solomaxhd]

Is the problem in both tanks or one?

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both tanks, it is kind of the like there is no power or not enough power going to the gauge

 

[Bronc76]

I recentyl bought a 76 with a 302 and 3 speed manual trans. all of the instrument cluster gauges work fine, except the fuel gauge stays at below E. I cleaned the grounds for both tanks and when i did that the gauge would go up a 32nd of an inch toward E. then I found a partially broken Black wire that attaches to the post on the back of the fuel gaue, but that didnt change anything. Any suggestions would be great.

make sure that the tank selector lever under the seat isnt in the middle of the main/aux setting, then check out the gauge selector on dash it may not be working properly

 

[solomaxhd]

make sure that the tank selector lever under the seat isnt in the middle of the main/aux setting, then check out the gauge selector on dash it may not be working properly

i'll double check that and if that doesnt work, i guess i'll have to pull out the gauge and see if it is stuck.

 

[Bully Bob]

"...i guess i'll have to pull out the gauge and see if it is stuck"

Naw..., if it moved that 'lil bit it's prob. OK.

Your book will have test proceedures to test & eliminate each component.

Just guessing..., there's a wiring issue, as you've already suspected.

 

[scrub]

Check out bronco.com. There are wiring diagrams & a section on instrumentation. Are your other guages working? If not could be IVR. If others are working check the sender with volt meter. Disconnect wires & test= 33Ohms-full, 100Ohms-1/2, 270Ohms-MT. More details in article & troubleshooting.

 

[oleguy74]

10 ohms full 73 ohms empty.remove switch from dash,of the three wires on sw,middle wire goes to gauge.turn on ign sw,and moumentarily ground middle wire.if gauge goes to full,gauge is ok.next remove wires from switch.put ohmmeter on center terminal and either side and check for continuity.then check center to other side.(operate switch to aux or full for each test)

 

[solomaxhd]

10 ohms full 73 ohms empty.remove switch from dash,of the three wires on sw,middle wire goes to gauge.turn on ign sw,and moumentarily ground middle wire.if gauge goes to full,gauge is ok.next remove wires from switch.put ohmmeter on center terminal and either side and check for continuity.then check center to other side.(operate switch to aux or full for each test)

now to get the fuel gauge toggle switch out, dont i have to remove the dash? and if so give some tips on where the mounting bolts are and if i have to take off the upper dash bumper. thanks for the help

 

[Bully Bob]

As I recall.., there's two indents on either side of the benzel (just below the toggle.)

You can use a needle-nose to catch both & un-***** it....then the switch should slide right out the back side.

>

 

[76Explorer]

The toggle switch in my 76 has been acting up for the last 4 years, I just switch it back and forth five or six times, and it starts working again.

 

[Bully Bob]

76.,

You can shoot some contact cleaner spray in it (or even spray oils) ...then blow it in with a compressor (low press) to spread & somewhat dry it. May not always work but it's a cheap fix. :-B

Even worked on my light-switch. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

HTH

B