How to fix Fuel level sensor after it stopped working.
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Florida
How to fix Fuel level sensor after it stopped working.
Hello, I have recently gotten an rx7 with fuel that has been settings there for a long time. It was so bad it had to be cycled out(there was water from the humidity and moisture), when my Mechanic emptied it out, the fuel gauge or sensor stopped working after. How can I fix it? The fuel sensor, gauge and pump was all working Fine before the Gas was cycled so I doubt I need new parts. I put 5 gallons of gas and the car still said it was on E so it wouldn't start. I filled 9 more gallons later and the car started easily but still indicates the fuel level is on e.
Last edited by Alessandro Gentili; Dec 2, 2015 at 10:25 AM.
The gas gauge has no effect on whether the car will start or not. As long as the pump works the engine would have gas available.
You will need to test the fuel gauge with a know resistance. If it works then it's more then likely the sending unit in the tank. The little coils get broken. It's really not repairable. You would need to get a used one.
You will need to test the fuel gauge with a know resistance. If it works then it's more then likely the sending unit in the tank. The little coils get broken. It's really not repairable. You would need to get a used one.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Florida
The gas gauge has no effect on whether the car will start or not. As long as the pump works the engine would have gas available.
You will need to test the fuel gauge with a know resistance. If it works then it's more then likely the sending unit in the tank. The little coils get broken. It's really not repairable. You would need to get a used one.
You will need to test the fuel gauge with a know resistance. If it works then it's more then likely the sending unit in the tank. The little coils get broken. It's really not repairable. You would need to get a used one.
I'm sure your internet savvy. Search is your friend.
Try this:
http://www.rotaryheads.com/PDF/1st_g...Electrical.pdf
Here's a thread on the repair of a 1980.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-arch...sender-786986/
And some other import threads to read.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...t-help-861797/
Try this:
http://www.rotaryheads.com/PDF/1st_g...Electrical.pdf
Here's a thread on the repair of a 1980.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-arch...sender-786986/
And some other import threads to read.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...t-help-861797/
The gas gauge has no effect on whether the car will start or not. As long as the pump works the engine would have gas available.
You will need to test the fuel gauge with a know resistance. If it works then it's more then likely the sending unit in the tank. The little coils get broken. It's really not repairable. You would need to get a used one.
You will need to test the fuel gauge with a know resistance. If it works then it's more then likely the sending unit in the tank. The little coils get broken. It's really not repairable. You would need to get a used one.
You can fix most of the issues yourself if you put your mind to it. Ask DivinDriver. Get the FSM, its
online here Foxed.ca. It details how to test it and remove/install it. Also it will probably have
seize bolts and will be a pain to get off if you don't drop the tank. Read up on the threads above to
determine if you are up to it.
online here Foxed.ca. It details how to test it and remove/install it. Also it will probably have
seize bolts and will be a pain to get off if you don't drop the tank. Read up on the threads above to
determine if you are up to it.
The only point I was trying to make is that it can not be repaired by itself. You would need another unit to fix the old one as detailed by DD. Didn't know you could pay someone a bunch of money to fix it.
"The good news is, with a little care and caution, the most-common failure point for an SA tank sender (broken wire in the electrical resistor element, due to physical wear) can be repaired using electrical components removed from a new or used (if good) sender from either 81-83 or 84-85 model cars."
"The good news is, with a little care and caution, the most-common failure point for an SA tank sender (broken wire in the electrical resistor element, due to physical wear) can be repaired using electrical components removed from a new or used (if good) sender from either 81-83 or 84-85 model cars."
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The common failures are corrosion that prevents the unit from getting its ground through the tank via
the mounting plate and, as mentioned broken wires or sweeper on the mechanism that gauges the
position of the level in the tank.
Frequently its the ground as I found on my own tank. The fix is fairly straight forward in that you just
need to attach wire on the unit as it comes thru the mounting plate and then attach it to one of the
screws when it is remounted into the tank.
The pickup or the wires being broken probably does require a spare to get it fixed, no doubt about it.
You need to check the resistance values when you remove to see if its performing ok. If it is, then its
probably just a grounding issue.
Other issues could be the float is compromised and it doesn't move because its full of gas.
the mounting plate and, as mentioned broken wires or sweeper on the mechanism that gauges the
position of the level in the tank.
Frequently its the ground as I found on my own tank. The fix is fairly straight forward in that you just
need to attach wire on the unit as it comes thru the mounting plate and then attach it to one of the
screws when it is remounted into the tank.
The pickup or the wires being broken probably does require a spare to get it fixed, no doubt about it.
You need to check the resistance values when you remove to see if its performing ok. If it is, then its
probably just a grounding issue.
Other issues could be the float is compromised and it doesn't move because its full of gas.
Last edited by t_g_farrell; Dec 2, 2015 at 07:52 PM.
The only point I was trying to make is that it can not be repaired by itself. You would need another unit to fix the old one as detailed by DD. Didn't know you could pay someone a bunch of money to fix it.
"The good news is, with a little care and caution, the most-common failure point for an SA tank sender (broken wire in the electrical resistor element, due to physical wear) can be repaired using electrical components removed from a new or used (if good) sender from either 81-83 or 84-85 model cars."
"The good news is, with a little care and caution, the most-common failure point for an SA tank sender (broken wire in the electrical resistor element, due to physical wear) can be repaired using electrical components removed from a new or used (if good) sender from either 81-83 or 84-85 model cars."
That would be correct... And yes, you can pretty much pay people a bunch of money to repair anything! haha
Forget trying to repair your current sender. Replace the sender. They're a little over a hundred bucks and will provide another 30 years of service when installed. Replace the mounting screws when replacing the sender. The new sender comes with the gasket already installed so no need to buy that separately.
Since it was working before you changed out the gas, something might just be temporarily stuck.
Have you tried tapping on the gauge dial itself, maybe give the dash a couple whacks? (but don't break anything).
This might unstick the gauge needle in the instrument cluster.
Also you could tap around the gas tank with a hammer (again, no dents!). This might unstick the float lever.
Finally, it may work itself out over time with some driving and sloshing around of the gas in the tank.
Give it a chance, it might just fix itself like a lot of FB problems do (called the Automatic Repair Feature, or ARF).
Have you tried tapping on the gauge dial itself, maybe give the dash a couple whacks? (but don't break anything).
This might unstick the gauge needle in the instrument cluster.
Also you could tap around the gas tank with a hammer (again, no dents!). This might unstick the float lever.
Finally, it may work itself out over time with some driving and sloshing around of the gas in the tank.
Give it a chance, it might just fix itself like a lot of FB problems do (called the Automatic Repair Feature, or ARF).
Last edited by ray green; Dec 5, 2015 at 07:51 AM.
Forget trying to repair your current sender. Replace the sender. They're a little over a hundred bucks and will provide another 30 years of service when installed. Replace the mounting screws when replacing the sender. The new sender comes with the gasket already installed so no need to buy that separately.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Hello, I have recently gotten an rx7 with fuel that has been settings there for a long time. It was so bad it had to be cycled out(there was water from the humidity and moisture), when my Mechanic emptied it out, the fuel gauge or sensor stopped working after. How can I fix it? The fuel sensor, gauge and pump was all working Fine before the Gas was cycled so I doubt I need new parts. I put 5 gallons of gas and the car still said it was on E so it wouldn't start. I filled 9 more gallons later and the car started easily but still indicates the fuel level is on e.
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