Fuel Gauge on J.D. 2130

FarmerCharlie · Apr 6, 2015

When I bought my 1977 2130 (similar to a 2030 and 1830) several years ago the fuel gauge (a AL24187 / AL24294 gauge) was not connected, and the sender just had a short wire connected to it. After running out of fuel for the first time last week I have decided that I need to get the fuel gauge working. I have had no luck finding a wiring diagram or description of wiring the gauge, and would appreciate any advice. So far my first step was to remove the sender and measure its resistance as I held it in its normal position and moved the float up and down. The resistance varies from 2.4 ohms at the bottom (about 60 degrees below horizontal) to 53 ohms as I raise it up to about 20 degrees below horizontal and then suddenly goes to infinity as I raise it farther. I don't know if that sudden change is correct, but it seemed to work well enough to at least register something? Next I removed the gauge, which had no wires connected to it. The image below shows the markings and the three connector tabs plus a thicker tab on the right side.

The left tab was pretty clearly marked with a Ground symbol. A +(Plus) mark on the bottom right looked to me like it probably referred to the bottom tab. There was a "G" marking on the upper right. I'm guessing that the top connector goes to the sender. When I connect the 12 volts and ground, the needle on the gauge remains at empty. If I briefly touch the top terminal to ground, then the needle deflects only slightly (not even to the 1/8 full level.

I'm just guessing that the gauge is defective, and that the sender may also have a problem. I sure would appreciate any suggestions or comments on whether my wiring assumptions are correct and whether the tests indicate anything at all.

Thanks,
Charlie

Zebrafive · Apr 7, 2015

I have a 1974 John Deere 2030 diesel. I have not looked a the fuel gauge terminals to compare to yours. I do have a service manual. It states the fuel sender is 0-30 ohms. 0 ohms = empty. 30 ohms = full. It shows the fuel gauge having an I and S terminal. States resistance between I and S = 140 ohms. Wiring is purple wire from ignition switch A terminal to fuel gauge I terminal (12 volts key ON). Black wire from fuel gauge S terminal to fuel tank sender. Sender grounds to fuel tank.

FarmerCharlie · Apr 7, 2015

Zebrafive said:
I have a 1974 John Deere 2030 diesel. I have not looked a the fuel gauge terminals to compare to yours. I do have a service manual. It states the fuel sender is 0-30 ohms. 0 ohms = empty. 30 ohms = full. It shows the fuel gauge having an I and S terminal. States resistance between I and S = 140 ohms. Wiring is purple wire from ignition switch A terminal to fuel gauge I terminal (12 volts key ON). Black wire from fuel gauge S terminal to fuel tank sender. Sender grounds to fuel tank.

Thanks for the information. I have the service manual for the 2130 also, but I can't find any details in it about either the sender or the gauge. I think my sender is also supposed to be 0 to 30 ohms. I used to think I was pretty skilled at Internet searching, but I have just had no luck finding details on the AL24187 / AL24294 gauge testing and hookup.