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#1
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W108 Need help diagnosing bad fuel gauge reading.
The fuel gauge on my 1972 280SE 4.5 stopped working about a month ago. Now the gauge reads full whenever the key is on regardless of tank level. I have pulled the sending unit and checked the resistance, 5 OHMS when the float is at the top of the sender, 67 OHMS at the bottom, progression in between the two ends seems to be linier.
Given this, should I be looking at the gauge next? Am I checking the sender correctly by testing resistance on the workbench? Thanks for any ideas.
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1972 280SE 4.5 |
#2
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The fuel sender gives the gauge a variable resistance to ground, thus at "full", there is a stronger ground reference and the gauge moves up the scale. If you have a wire to the sender that's chaffed somewhere and grounding against the chassis somewhere between the sender and the gauge, the gauge will read "Full".
Since you're getting a variable signal out of the sender, it's not likely to be the issue.
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Current stable: 1995 E320 149K (Nancy) 1983 500SL 120K (SLoL) Black Sheep: 1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) Gone but not forgotten: 1986 300SDL (RIP) 1991 350SD 1991 560SEL 1990 560SEL 1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!) |
#3
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Unplug tank sensor ,
There are 3 terminals........G/W/31 With key ON, jumper W to 31....Reserve lamp should come ON. If NO, then check fuse #5 .. [ spin it in the holder ] Jumper G to 31..gauge should show full. Jumper G to 31 , using a 50 ohm resistor...should show low fuel level. If yes on all test , sender is the problem If NO, then check that 31 is a good ground..........simply repeat the test using a jumper to a known good ground for terminal 31
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A Dalton |
#4
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Something I should have included in my first post is that the gauge reads empty when the sending unit is disconnected. Is this relevant?
Quote:
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1972 280SE 4.5 |
#5
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Quote:
G to 31 gauge shows full G to 31 with 50 ohm resistor, gauge still shows full. G to 31 with known good ground and 50 ohm resistor gauge still shows full. G to 31 not connected gauge shows empty. So now I am thinking it's the gauge not the sender.
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1972 280SE 4.5 |
#6
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Try a 100 ohm Resistor, just to be sure.........
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A Dalton |
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