Float Stuck In Gas Gauge

[MISSY2U]

Just bought 19 ft Seapro walkaround. Gas gauge reads empty always. Want to troubleshoot sender unit but it is located 12-15 inches from floor opening! :-( Can see the pink/black wires and the connector but cannot reach them! Want to test the float manually to see if it is the sender unit. What other things to check? How do we get to it? Someone suggested breaking silicone seal around the deck lid over the gas tank and pullin it up -- says it could be just a loose connection or broke wire. Float stuck after hitting a wave. Not sure how to read replies so please email at pamajam3@cox.net. Thanks!

[Dutch Peter]

I suggest you start with the easy things to check like broken wire, or connections the gauge itself. When nothing else is faulty, you have no other option than to repair the floater.

Good luck,

[Redbullet]

You can jump from the transmitter straight to the gauge and eliminate wiring. The transmitter is easy to remove from the tank. By removing the transmitter you can manually move the float up and down and see if the gauge moves. You can put and ohm meter on the transmitter when moving and see if ohms change--if so the transmitter is good.

[PAR]

Remove the wire coming out of the top of the sending unit and touch it to a known good ground (it will not spark, keep your pants on) The gauge should read way full. If not it's the wires or the sending unit. The wires can be tested pretty simply with a mulitimeter, so can the sending unit. Most of these things die when the little coil in the sending unit has been rubbed by the float arm one to many times as has broken. Sometimes the float will stick, but this isn't a problem that happens that much anymore. Positive action when testing for ohms, doesn't necessarily mean the sender is good, they can work intermittently, because of gunk, multiple breaks or dents (wear spots) in the coils that make momentary contact when the float arm move past.

If you understand how to test wires with a mulitmeter, then you can test the sender too, but if testing the wires scares you off, then let someone else test the sender (it ain't hard and nothing is going to shock you or make sparks)

9 times out of ten it's the sender and it's not to tough to change out, though you will have to do some work in less then easy access spaces.