Could someone point me the the correct direction for figureing out the problem. I filled my tank with gas and then all of the sudden it marked empty! I wonder if its electical or machnical. I have a '85 stock 12A

 

Its probably electrical, the senders terminals are notorious for corroding. You need to take the sender out of the tank, and sand down the terminals. Its not necessary to drop the tank, but it makes it a lot easier to get to the usually corroded screws holding the sender in.

 

Anyone done this job yet? anyone know how long it would take?

 

It really isnt too bad. If you want to drop the tank, mark the three lines to make sure you re-connect them right. Unscrew the filler tube and remove the gas cap, and then take the two straps that are holding on the tank. Its best to have the tank as empty as possible, and to put a jack below the tank so you can lower it slowly once its free.

If you want, I can post some pictures that may or may not help you out.


edit:

Since you only want to sand the terminals and not replace the sender unit, it actually might be easier to keep the tank in place. There is a plastic shield on the side of the gas tank, remove that, take off the back left wheel, and you will see the wire coupling attatched to the sender. Remove that, give the terminals a good sanding, plug it back in, and test the guage.

 

you could also try to wiggle the black connector in the back of the instrument cluster. You can reach your hand up there and wiggle it without taking anything off. It's a black round connecter on the driver's door side of the instrument cluster.

 

ok i'll try both.. reach up and behind and wiggle the black thing.

then see what I can scrape off the sender terminals, thanks guys

 

Which black thing? I have the same problem. Anyway to test the guage itself?


Thanks, Ed

 

Its a black connector on the back of the dash, part of the wiring harness. Sometimes it comes loose.
The guage itself usually doesnt fail. Its mostly always the sender. Out of the two tanks I've had, both senders have been bad.