Fuel Gauge Registering Empty

[sdowey]

I have recently bought a 2002 1800SR. Having filled the tank with fuel it seemed to return via the air valve and bubble out even though filled slowly. I suspect the tank is full as removing the air breather tube from the tank meant fuel came out like a "fountain". I checked the connections to the fuel sensor these seem fine. Whats the best way to problem solve a faulty gauge?

[sdowey]

Step 1) Check Fuel Sender on Petrol Tank. Usually a Faulty ground (Bypass ground to battery). Use a multimeter and test the Fuel sender is sending some voltage.
Step 2) Check the Wiring from fuel sender to gauge. Sometimes wires are nipped, broken or coroded connections. A single signal wire connects the sender to gauge. Use this as the positive and use the ground and test with multimeter to ensure same reading as step 1
Step 3) Check the fuel gauge by turn on ignition if needle moves to full imediately but the tank is empty usually a faulty ground.
Step 4) Check the gauge is getting a ground and a +12v. The signal wire from the gauge acts as a potentiometer (resistor) reducing the voltage. eg half full +6v when measured between the ground and signal wire
Step 5) If followed step 1 and 2 and all wires are correctly connected and it isn't a broken cable, probably a faulty gauge.

This presumes the best steps to take for a faulty gauge.

[seapuppy]

thanks for the input....I was really hoping someone else would step up to this one...



SP

[sdowey]

What voltage should a fuel sender show if the tank is full to the brim?
The gauge works. I have a full tank and the gauge moves very slightly. The voltage shows 0.3 volts.
Should a full tank show closer to +12volts then?

Anyone know of were to order maxum parts in the UK?

[ed & inge]

if you already have faria meters in your boat, try this they will tell you how and were to order

http://www.faria-instruments.com/ ..... or google

good luck, ed

[sdowey]

Plan is to get a new fuel sender. Any idea of a part number? I couldn't find a part number on the maxum parts catalog and got confused of the correct name for this.
My boat is a 2002 1800SR. If I knew the part number and name I could try and source it in the UK.
I took it out and its got a float but its not on an "arm".