Temperamental fuel gauge

[Terry Houwerzyl]

My fuel gauge has quit working. I bought a new gauge and installed it, but it does not register either. There are four wires to the gauge two from the DC control panel and two that lead back to the fuel tank.When I hook the gauge directly to the sending unit on the fuel tank, it registers just fine. I suspected the lines running from the fuel tank, but the only way power gets back to the tank is by passing though the gauge at the nav station.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Terry, Get a volt/ohm meter at Radio Shack

for under $10. (multimeter) Then set the volt DC scale for the voltage range you are working in and start working back from the last place you had power until you find the failed wire, switch, terminal or whatever.BE VERY sure you have a grounding source for the boat instrument. A failed ground is the most common instrument failure in boats or autos. While at Radio Shack buy extra fuses for your voltmeter. If you have the voltage scale set wrong it will blow the fuse in the voltmeter.Ray