3510 fuel gage not working

zilla24 · Mar 27, 2022

Good evening everyone, could really use some help diagnosing my 3510 fuel gage. With 3/4 of a tank the gage will only raise to 1/4 at best. For those that have had a similar issue where might I start?

DonRybak · Mar 29, 2022

Zilla24, I'm surprised someone hasn't already chimed in here. Not sure if you have a digital or analog gauge but both should work about the same. If the gauge moves such as going to empty when shut down that kinda rules out the gauge being stuck. Most likely the sensor in the tank is bad. The sensor should be mounted on top of the tank with 4 small nuts holding it in. The sensor will have a float assembly that raises and lowers with the fuel level which in turn varies the voltage to the gauge. It could be that the float has a leak and some fuel got in it to keep it from raising up. If you have a voltmeter you should be able to measure the voltage across the sensor with the tractor on and the voltage should vary when the float is manually moved up and down.

3gunr · Mar 29, 2022

I have a 2810 and the gauge takes forever to come up to whatever the level is , Been that way since new. My 2538 registers right away. i believe it is analog.

DonRybak · Mar 29, 2022

Zilla24, if 3gunr is correct in that it's an analog gauge (one with a pointer) then it's possible that the gauge itself is defective and the pointer can't go all the way to full. If you find that the voltage varies when moving the float then I'd tend to suspect the gauge.

zilla24 · Mar 30, 2022

Appreciate the responses. I did some YouTubing and figured out how to check the fuel gage. Removed the instrument cluster and applied current (using a 9v battery) to the positive and negative lead on the back side of the instrument cluster. Then took a test wire from the tank sending lead to the negative on the battery, the gauge works! With the sending unit lead ungrounded the needle would stay on E. Grounded it went to the F mark indicating full range of the gage.

I then pulled the back covers and roll bar from the tractor. Pulling the sending unit I found this:

Bingo! Before buying a few one I went ahead and cleaned up the existing unit. After removing the rust, crud, dry fuel and other things it’s now working as it should. Now to put everything back together.

DonRybak · Mar 30, 2022

Hey zilla24, glad you found the culprit and it's working. Since the unit is already started the rusting process it's going to be a continuing issue. I'd be concerned with the rust falling into the fuel. If it was me I'd do some price checking and if not what seems to be an outlandish amount, I'd go ahead and pick up another one. Just me as preventative maintenance....

3gunr · Mar 30, 2022

Is your tank plastic or steel?

zilla24 · Mar 30, 2022

DonRybak said:
Hey zilla24, glad you found the culprit and it's working. Since the unit is already started the rusting process it's going to be a continuing issue. I'd be concerned with the rust falling into the fuel. If it was me I'd do some price checking and if not what seems to be an outlandish amount, I'd go ahead and pick up another one. Just me as preventative maintenance....

I am definitely going to pursue a replacement, great suggestion.