Deere 5200 fuel gauge trouble

[hosspuller]

The fuel gauge on my 5200 bounces wildly when the engine is running. If shut down and ignition is on, the gauge settles and indicates the fuel level.
It appears to me that either the fuel sender is bad or some electronic part that damps the sender signal has failed.

Anybody have an idea or solution ?

 

[AKfish]

The fuel gauge on my 5200 bounces wildly when the engine is running. If shut down and ignition is on, the gauge settles and indicates the fuel level.
It appears to me that either the fuel sender is bad or some electronic part that damps the sender signal has failed.

Anybody have an idea or solution ?

Can you get at the wiring with a voltmeter? See if the current fluctuates? Might take a look at the sending unit on the tank, too.

AKfish

 

[JD5210]

Most likely the problem is the fuel sender in the tank. I would start by making sure it is not the wiring or the instrument cluster. Disconnect the 2 wires from the sender at the tank (it is behind the seat and most likely the wires are orange and black), connect them together, then turn the key to the run position (do not start the tractor) the fuel gauge on the cluster should go to full. Disconnect them and the gauge should go to empty. If it does not then test the wiring from the sender to the instrument cluster.

While you have the wires disconnected test the fuel sender with an ohm meter. On my 5210 the range is between 4.5 to 97.5 ohms. I have include the URL for JDparts if you do not have it.

Looked at JD parts and your sender looks like mine, so run it down to about a half tank, push the seat forward, put a towel down under the sender, so if you drop a screw you do not lose it (voice of experience). It comes with a gasket, but I would still put some gasket sealer on it to insure it does not leak.

John Deere - Parts Catalog

Here is some other links you may find of interest.
Leaking Fuel Cap : Solve a leaky fuel cap on some older 5000 series tractors
Instrument Panel Fogs Up : Fog forms inside instrument panel on some 5000 series tractors, making it hard to read gauges
Front End Noise : Gear backlash causes noise on 5000 series tractors

 

[hosspuller]

Thanks for the replies... I'll check the ground then pull the sender to see if anything can be discovered. Last resort is to replace the sender ... $50

 

[hosspuller]

Follow-up to the original problem post...

I replaced the tank sender. Fixed the problem. Seems the age and fuel made the sender much more sensitive to the fuel sloshing around in the tank.

JD5210 ... Thanks for your reply. It save me the cost of a gasket knowing one was included. And a rag under the tank opening saved a washer...