1973 Dart fuel gauge only reads empty unless grounded – tried multiple senders

[MadScientistMat]

I put together a video of the test Dana67Dart recommends: Testing Mopar gauges on the bench

 

[twinB]

Thanks again for all the reply’s everyone it was the gauge

 

[Mojoe9955]

I put together a video of the test Dana67Dart recommends: Testing Mopar gauges on the bench

Nice, but as someone who has a real hard time diagnosing and repairing electrical problems, being able to see how the wires are connected would be helpful. Where is the red lead connected Mat.
Thanks

 

[Dana67Dart]

Nice, but as someone who has a real hard time diagnosing and repairing electrical problems, being to see how the wires are connected would be helpful. Where is the red lead connected Mat.
Thanks

Did you watch the video in post 3?

That explains how the gauges work.

 

[Mojoe9955]

The one with Ted and Ed? I did go back and watch it and have a better understanding.
Thanks

 

[Mattax]

All Pamphlets and videos

Master Technician Service Conference - Chrysler's Training for Mechanics

The Imperial Mailing List Online Car Club is dedicated to the preservation, appreciation and restoration of Imperials and Chrysler Imperials of all years, models and body-styles.

www.web.imperialclub.info

and

Chrysler Master Tech Service Library – Browse Model Year – MyMopar

 

[MadScientistMat]

Unfortunately the connections are going to be different points for different year / model dashes and you will need a wiring diagram for yours. The red lead goes to the pin the connects to 12 volt power. The black wire goes to the metal frame - at least that is pretty much constant.

 

[Mattax]

red lead goes to the pin the connects to 12 volt power.

Even that is not a constant year to year. I was just helping someone in another thread with a '63 (or maybe a '64) and the power feed is a black wire. Go figure its also one of the years with tougher to find manuals and diagrams.

 

[Mojoe9955]

I bought a "kit" that included the tank, straps and sending unit . All though it is relatively new, less than 3 years, it worked briefly, then intermittently after that until it stopped working altogether. I thought it may have been the ground and fiddled with that to no avail. I just thought the gauge was bad and being "electraphobic, I just put gas in the car every couple times I took it out. I ran out of gas on the road one time and more recently in my yard at home. I bought another sender as I have another car that needs one. It's long story I know. Today after reading this post I grounded the sending wire to the gauge and soared to beyond full. I took the "old" made in China kit sender out and it still pretty looked new, but the lever action was pretty sloppy and loose. I put new one in and it all seems to work as it should. I won't know for sure until I fill the tank.
I think Rusty mentioned the float and I'm going with that as the old sender was on a piece of cardboard on my cart and under the float it was still damp with a stain emanating a couple inches around it. I'm pretty busy with other things, but when I have I'll try and see if I can see what wrong with it...probably not!
Thanks

 

[dadsbee]

The float is full of gas.

 

[MadScientistMat]

Even that is not a constant year to year. I was just helping someone in another thread with a '63 (or maybe a '64) and the power feed is a black wire. Go figure its also one of the years with tougher to find manuals and diagrams.

In this case, I meant the positive wire from the power supply shown in the video. Not anything in the wiring harness. Sorry if that wasn't clear from the post.

 

[Chris Nicholson]

How much fuel is on your tank?

A float with a hold will fill with fuel and read empty.

Aftermarket senders need about 8 gallons in the tank to read other than empty.

OEM sender if functioning outside of the tank should read accurately

I wonder if that's what the deal is with mine. Gets to E, takes 8 gallons to fill up. Then it reads 2/3 - 3/4 full.