Fuel Gauge
- Thread starter jtrentham
- Start date
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Roadworthy
Elite Member
It could be the gauge itself, the sending unit, or any wiring in between. You need to do a bit of troubleshooting. Does it always read full? Empty? Somewhere in between?
PILOON
Super Star Member
Sender units are usually but a variable resistor that is actuated by a float on an arm.
The need 2 wires one of which is positive. Shorting the 2 should read 'full' at the gauge.
Often rust is often what renders the sender inoperative.
Early units often used cork as a float which could get waterlogged, more recent ones used plastic.
Often replacement calls for removing the tank for access in which case an alternate DIY is a calibrated dip stick.
The need 2 wires one of which is positive. Shorting the 2 should read 'full' at the gauge.
Often rust is often what renders the sender inoperative.
Early units often used cork as a float which could get waterlogged, more recent ones used plastic.
Often replacement calls for removing the tank for access in which case an alternate DIY is a calibrated dip stick.
PILOON
Super Star Member
Add fuel and bleed the lines.
Sorry if sounds sarcastic but that's the facts.
newbury
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Messages
- 14,103
- Location
- From Vt, in Va, retiring to MS
- Tractor
- Kubota's - B7610, M4700
For those of us with older equipment and limited funds it's often easier to just check the tank.
My M4700 gauge is flaky. I try and fill it every 5 or 6 hours of use.
My M4700 gauge is flaky. I try and fill it every 5 or 6 hours of use.
Tinhack
Elite Member
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- Jul 3, 2020
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- Lytle, TX
- Tractor
- Ford 3910, John Deere 420C, Kubota G32XKS, IH 2606, Bad Boy Maverick-60"
I bought a gauge and sender for my old JD. I haven't installed it yet but I'm getting tired of the "dip stick" method. I had to drain the tank to install a new fuel screen and bowl so when I put 5 gallons back in it, I marked the stick.
I'm dragging my heels on the gauge install because I have to drill about a 2" hole in the top of the tank and the dash. The JD never had a gauge but I need to finish a couple of projects with it first.
I'm dragging my heels on the gauge install because I have to drill about a 2" hole in the top of the tank and the dash. The JD never had a gauge but I need to finish a couple of projects with it first.
Richard
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 4,979
- Location
- Knoxville, TN
- Tractor
- International 1066 Full sized JCB Loader/Backhoe and a John Deere 430 to mow with
^^ This
When I start a project, I want to jump on whatever I'm using, turn key and go. I don't want to have to fuel it, grease it.... so I try to do those things (don't always grease it) but I DO always top the fuel off.
Since I carry the 5-gallon jugs to the Co-op, this also lets me keep the machines full AND keep my reserve full. I don't have a bunch of empy machines laying around....need to do a job and gee....I don't have any diesel AND it's Sunday so the Co-op is closed....
Always top them off when done and then keep the 5-gallon buckets full (about eight of them) so I can work a full day and refuel the entire tank if/as needed.
Since I put a new wiring harness on the tractor, that gauge works fine. The gauge on the backhoe shows empty all the time (and I've fixed the sending unit in it once.....it died again so I've not touched it)
