gas gauge not working

[mikelly]

hi all, 97 challenger 1800,gas gauge not working, took it out , put it in gas can, floats fine, still no gauge working, tip it by hand works fine, it seems it does not work when it is put into gas, short? do I need new baffle or gauge on dash, and where can I get one, my local dealer says they don't make it anymore. thanks mike

 

[kustomkarl]

Mike, here is some information on testing your fuel guage;

You need to check the Pink and Pink/Black wire coming out of the baffle tube in the gas tank. The sending unit works off resistance. Pull the plug apart at the tank, and use an ohm meter to check for resistance between the two pink wires. The resistance will be different depending on how much fuel is in the fuel tank. If you get no resistance, remove the clamps off the sender, and pull the sending unit out of the fuel tank. Check the magnets on the float in the sending unit. To get to the float out, pop the bottom off and look for the 4 magnets on the float. If they are missing use a strong magnet to get them out of the tank bottom. If they are dirty clean them and re-insert it back in the baffle tube and check the wires again to check for readings of resistance depending on where the float is in the baffle tube. Check the float to see if it “floats” in a cup of gas. Sometimes the float becomes saturated and won’t float in gas…but it will in water, so use gas to check it. If still no reading of resistance replace the sender. If you get readings, check continuity of wiring to gauge. At the baffle you could un plug the guage and using a jumper wire between the 2 wires in the plug on the guage side. Attach the lanyard to power up the gauges. If the guage goes to full the guage is good. If it still doesn’t respond, do a continuity test of the wires to the guage. If all wiring checks out ok, and the guage still doesn’t respond, the gauge is bad.
Keep me posted on your progress.

Karl

 

[bpauljpaul00]

thanks for this. i have the same problem and now know what to do