fuel gauge
Whizbanger
04-22-2011, 09:54 PM
1995 trans sport 3.1 auto transmission. When I fill the gas tank full, the fuel gauge indicator would point to F of Fuel next to the F mark. It's quite annoying and I am wondering if I can take the cluster out, take the fuel needle out and reposition it? also, how would I go about doing that?
Thank you for your time, Joe
Thank you for your time, Joe
Jeffrv
05-01-2011, 11:34 AM
I have seen needles adjusted on later model GM vehicles, but not sure is the ones used in these vans are the same. In any event, the cluster has to be removed for access to the gauge, and this involves removal of a lot of dash to get at it,rather a large job. Is any other gauge reading off, or just the fuel gauge?
Jeff
Jeff
Whizbanger
05-04-2011, 10:30 PM
It just one, the fuel. I am aware that there's a lot of dash to take out. They don't scare me. I know some of them are press on needle, and some that have a tiny clip underside that has to have special tool to unclip it. THAT is what I don't know that it has.
LMP
05-06-2011, 01:16 PM
When I fill the gas tank full, the fuel gauge indicator would point to F of Fuel next to the F (F for Full) mark.
I understand it indicates more than FULL. I think the '95 has kept the '93 setup and mine does the same as yours..in fact always did but this has increased progressively with time so I blame a change in electrical characteristics, probably the fuel level sender circuitry.
www.avigex.ca/xport/instrumentpanel.jpg
From the meter point of view looking into the level sender, a full tank should be seen as a 88ohms resistor, an empty tank as 1 ohm. So if the meter goes abobe FULL, it means it sees more than 88 ohm...or 88 ohms is now more than needed due to change in meter behaviour or sender circuitry...and this includes possible change in ground return value.
THe problem compounds also into the fact that a low tank level actually reads higher now on the meter (i do not know if that is your case)...so assessing when to fill up the tank needs some interpretation . THis was normal before but has come slowly and is now quite offscale. I must not wait for the PANIC light to show....
So in fact, I have not paid much attention to this little annoyance....but now that you talk of it I'm tempted to try something other than dismantling the IP (although I've done it several times before, not a big deal): install a bypass resistor at contact A6 of the C200 connector..(the other end of resistor to ground) probably starting with something like 330 ohms, or a variable 500 ohms resistor... then adjust to read F on the scale when fuel tank is actually full. THis will however have no great effect on the low reading....but I'll handle this issue later....I suspect installing a solid new ground wire from the fuel tank ground side to a good ground post near the IP could solve both ends at same time...I think the tank ground is elevated a small voltage above the actual 0 volt due to wiring corrosion or other factors....and in fact this voltage variation would be readable with a voltage meter connected between tank sender ground side and a ground post near the I/P....I should do this......
Sooo....you are pushing me in testing for something I did not care much about....However, a little experimentation for fun is part of the game and adds joy to life.... .
I understand it indicates more than FULL. I think the '95 has kept the '93 setup and mine does the same as yours..in fact always did but this has increased progressively with time so I blame a change in electrical characteristics, probably the fuel level sender circuitry.
www.avigex.ca/xport/instrumentpanel.jpg
From the meter point of view looking into the level sender, a full tank should be seen as a 88ohms resistor, an empty tank as 1 ohm. So if the meter goes abobe FULL, it means it sees more than 88 ohm...or 88 ohms is now more than needed due to change in meter behaviour or sender circuitry...and this includes possible change in ground return value.
THe problem compounds also into the fact that a low tank level actually reads higher now on the meter (i do not know if that is your case)...so assessing when to fill up the tank needs some interpretation . THis was normal before but has come slowly and is now quite offscale. I must not wait for the PANIC light to show....
So in fact, I have not paid much attention to this little annoyance....but now that you talk of it I'm tempted to try something other than dismantling the IP (although I've done it several times before, not a big deal): install a bypass resistor at contact A6 of the C200 connector..(the other end of resistor to ground) probably starting with something like 330 ohms, or a variable 500 ohms resistor... then adjust to read F on the scale when fuel tank is actually full. THis will however have no great effect on the low reading....but I'll handle this issue later....I suspect installing a solid new ground wire from the fuel tank ground side to a good ground post near the IP could solve both ends at same time...I think the tank ground is elevated a small voltage above the actual 0 volt due to wiring corrosion or other factors....and in fact this voltage variation would be readable with a voltage meter connected between tank sender ground side and a ground post near the I/P....I should do this......
Sooo....you are pushing me in testing for something I did not care much about....However, a little experimentation for fun is part of the game and adds joy to life.... .
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