Fuel Gauge on John Deere 5520

[Nelson Farms]

I just got a 2001 John Deere 5520 cab/air and I'm having problems with the fuel gauge not working!

 

[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 (since you have a cab, I do not know how hard it is to get to the wiring) and 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. 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 (no cab) the range (full to empty) is between 4.5 97.5 ohms.

I have include the URL for JDparts, if you do not have it.

John Deere - Parts Catalog

 

[dmyers275]

I have a 5205 which is a very similar fuel system setup as the 5520 which I also own. I had an issue with my 5205 whereas the fuel gauge was showing 1/2 tank, but was actually almost empty. It would never read lower than 1/2 tank. We found there is a brass rod in the tank with a sensor that slides up and down on the brass rod. The brass rod had some corrosion on it at the half way point that wouldn't allow the sensor to slide down any lower than the half way point, so it always read a minimum of 1/2 tank.
To change the rod, it drops out of the bottom of the tank, and I had to straddle a ditch to gain the clearance to drop the rod out the bottom of the tank. Remove as much fuel as you can before you do this, as it will all drain out the bottom when you pull the rod out.
hope this helps.

 

[joecdeere]

I have the Tech manuals for that series if you want the PDF of them shoot me your email

Joe

 

[dmyers275]

Thanks! Dmyers275@aol.com

 

[Neal 5520]

5520 John Deere fuel gauge reads full disconnect sender and reads empty. Short wires together at sender gauge reads full. Replaced sender same problem.Both old and new sender read about 4.5 to 97.5.

 

[JD5210]

Interesting problem. The sender readings match the manual. When the tank is full, resistance is low and gauge needle moves to full position. So why is the resistance low.

Do not have the answer but have you connected the sender while it is out of the tank and moved the float up and down? If yes, what happened?

 

[Neal 5520]

I did connect sender while out of tank and moved float up and down. No change gauge still reads full

 

[JD5210]

So much for that idea. You might consider removing the cluster and do this. I had to replace the cluster in my tractor, because the tach died and have done this. Use a battery charger as your power source to the cluster, tie together the negative from the cluster negative from the battery charger negative from the sender. Use a jumper to connect the sender to the cluster. If you still have the problem at least you will know it is in the cluster. I attached a picture of when I was helping someone determine the problem with a temperature gauge

I have attached the wire diagram for the 5X10 tractor. You will need to determine if it is the same for your tractor. If you decide to do this disconnect the negative battery cable before starting to take things apart. You might look at selectmanuals.com to get the tech repair and diagnostic manuals.

If you decide to do this, avoid taking the cluster out of the black frame, reason is if you do not tighten the screws evenly you run the risk of breaking the glass. I have include a pdf of the order to tighten then screws if you need it.

 

[Neal 5520]

So much for that idea. You might consider removing the cluster and do this. I had to replace the cluster in my tractor, because the tach died and have done this. Use a battery charger as your power source to the cluster, tie together the negative from the cluster negative from the battery charger negative from the sender. Use a jumper to connect the sender to the cluster. If you still have the problem at least you will know it is in the cluster. I attached a picture of when I was helping someone determine the problem with a temperature gauge

I have attached the wire diagram for the 5X10 tractor. You will need to determine if it is the same for your tractor. If you decide to do this disconnect the negative battery cable before starting to take things apart. You might look at selectmanuals.com to get the tech repair and diagnostic manuals.

If you decide to do this, avoid taking the cluster out of the black frame, reason is if you do not tighten the screws evenly you run the risk of breaking the glass. I have include a pdf of the order to tighten then screws if you need it.

Thanks I'll try that looks like I'll have to buy a cluster