Club126UK

Fiat 126 Chat => Fiat 126 Mechanical Problem Solving => Topic started by: Iffy650 on September 17, 2022, 02:56:33 PM

Title: Fuel Gauge
Post by: Iffy650 on September 17, 2022, 02:56:33 PM
I'm restoring a 1989 air cooled 126 and thought I'd check that the fuel gauge is working before I reinstated the fuel tank so I put the battery in (new) and connected the wires on to the sender/float unit (new) and turned the key . Nothing.
Check the wiring diagram to ensure I'd got the connection onto the sender/float unit correct.
Check fuses were all ok. Checked connections back as far as I could.
Got my multimeter and checked that there was voltage across the wires, got about 3Volts.
Any ideas?
Title: Re: Fuel Gauge
Post by: ChrisRLewis on September 17, 2022, 09:58:23 PM
Take the electrical wire off the sender unit and ground this wire to earth (with ignition on). If gauge goes to the full tank reading it will indicate that there is a fault with either the sender unit or the tank is not earthed.
Title: Re: Fuel Gauge
Post by: Iffy650 on September 18, 2022, 01:59:17 AM
Thank you Chris,
The gauge didn't go to full when I did that.
Perhaps the gauge or connection to the gauge is faulty?
Title: Re: Fuel Gauge
Post by: ChrisRLewis on September 18, 2022, 07:15:51 PM
Is the fuel tank installed in the car? and if so is the tank grounded to earth? Also check to see if your brake lights and indicators are working because they are on the same fuse circuit.
Title: Re: Fuel Gauge
Post by: Iffy650 on October 16, 2022, 01:11:06 AM
Thanks Chris,
Indicators and brake lights are working, with tank in and earthed, still cant get the fuel gauge to work.
I put a new sender in the tank, connected it up correctly and the gauge still doesnt work.
Do you have any more suggestions?
I'm hoping its not the gauge.
Title: Re: Fuel Gauge
Post by: Iffy650 on October 18, 2022, 02:28:57 PM
Solved the problem!
The terminals in the connector at the gauge (in the back of the instrument cluster) were a bit corroded from damp.
With a gentle rubber with sandpaper and a swirt of wd40, the gauge is working.
Just got the fun of putting the fuel tank back to go this weekend.
Title: Re: Fuel Gauge
Post by: ChrisRLewis on October 18, 2022, 03:50:20 PM
Well done for finding the fault ;)
Title: Re: Fuel Gauge
Post by: andyzeetec on October 20, 2022, 10:24:05 PM
Good to see you've fixed it.  :good:

Good luck fitting the fuel tank