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Gas Gauge Problem

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by dave dear, Jul 8, 2018.

  1. dave dear

    dave dear New Member

    Hi All
    I have a 65 all original cj5 . The factory temp gauge has never worked and I decided to replace the temp and fuel gauge with the factory look aftermarket units from rugged ridge. I never could get the temp gauge to work. It just twitched. The aftermarket fuel gauge never worked either. I decided to put it all back as it was before now my original gas gauge doesn't work. Everything -wires etc- were put back correctly. Will a fuel gauge just go out? I assume there isn't a fuse box in a 65 jeep? or fusable linker the gas gauge? I left the aftermarket temp gauge in place. Is it compatible with the factory unit? I just want my fuel gauge back.
    thx
     
    dave dear, Jul 8, 2018
    #1
  2. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Welcome :)

    Fuel gauge issues are a common issue, there's been a lot of discussion here about them For a good overview of the system I'd suggest

    Gauge Repair Information

    This may help as well-

    Fuel gauge literally burned

    You'll need to verify your wiring & cluster ground as well as the senders. If the gauges are toasted Id suggest combing ebay for NOS units.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 8, 2018
    #2
  3. dave dear

    dave dear New Member

    Awesome! That helps a lot. I'm thinking ground @ gauge the problem.
     
    dave dear, Jul 8, 2018
    #3
  4. dave dear

    dave dear New Member

    quick question. If gas gauge smoked does that automatically mean its bad? or burned up?
     
    dave dear, Jul 9, 2018
    #4
  5. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Yep. As a rule.
     
    Walt Couch, Jul 9, 2018
    #5
  6. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Once the magic smoke is released, all the magic is gone.
     
    47v6, Jul 9, 2018
    #6
    Twin2 and Focker like this.
  7. 60CJ5

    60CJ5 Member

    ok new angle on this, my gauge says empty when I still have about 1/3 of a tank. can I just bend the float arm to adjust? fyi never makes it to "full" even with a full tank.
     
    60CJ5, Jul 10, 2018
    #7
  8. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    You're going to have to pull the sender & check the resistance readings on it, simply bending the arm won't do much to make it work correctly. from experience I'd say your guage needs to have the needle link adjustments made- for sweep range & empty position. This is a bench top operation which will require removing the gauge , a bunch of clip leads and the sender
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jul 10, 2018
    #8
  9. Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    First check I would do, get a piece of wire and run it from the negative on the battery to the cluster housing and see if things work. You can clamp one end of the wire to the battery and then put it on what every you are testing. If things work you have a grounding issue.
     
    Steve's 70-5, Jul 10, 2018
    #9
  10. Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    So the fuel gauge is working but wrong calibration. Before going to the calibration procedure a Howard points out I would reset the control arm angle on the float rod first. The tank if under-seat original type, it should be about 6" top to bottom. Measure the depth and bend float arm at the "V" point to match full drop of the float. If you do this then the gauge will read E when empty and will automatically be correct for full. I would do this first as it is simple and quick.
     
    Walt Couch, Jul 10, 2018
    #10
    60CJ5 likes this.
  11. 60CJ5

    60CJ5 Member

    thanks
     
    60CJ5, Jul 10, 2018
    #11