Ray Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 My fuel gauge goes straight to "Full" as soon as the ignition is switched on. I have a dipstick which suggests half a tank. I hope to have a look at this problem tomorrow or Monday and wondered if anyone had tips of what and where to look first? So far I only know where the gauge is and the general area of the tank! The boat is a Broom 29 and the gauge is an aftermarket addition professionally fitted but when and by who isn't known. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimbiIV Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Could be a sticky float, go over Breydon when it's a bit choppy. Always worked onΒ Zimbi, it often stuck after being stood over winter with the tank full. paul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 19, 2021 Author Share Posted June 19, 2021 Yes, she has been static for a number of months. Crossed Breydon Thursday and it was calm as a mill pond so may have to simulate waves π Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 If it goes straight to the very top I reckon you have a bad connection, disconnect a euro gauge and they go full deflection. I also have a dipstick and all it suggests is go to the pub, oh yeah that's me..... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 19, 2021 Author Share Posted June 19, 2021 1 minute ago, Smoggy said: I also have a dipstick and all it suggests is go to the pub, oh yeah that's me..... Sounds good to me πΊ π 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 I too have one of those βpub dipsticksβ, Β trouble is that it never seems to say full when Iβm in the pubΒ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Hi Ray disconnect the wire from sender in tank,Β switch on if still max gauge faulty if no movement replace wire and remove wire from sender in tank,there may also be a earth wire connected to body of sender,Β if still max you have a short on sender wire to gauge,Β if not and no movement fault is with sender,Β remove sender from tank,Β connect wire and GENTLY move float arm if it still shows max faulty sender,Β remove the cover on senderΒ and check the winding's and finger, clean/repair or replace. The sender works by Β the finger rubbingΒ on the coiled wire spoolΒ from top to bottom which is connected to a wire arm with a plastic float on the end thus altering the resistance to the gauge via earth, or you may have a plastic tubercle sender that works digitally not repairable. John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Many thanks John, that's very helpful π Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I think the last tips may be the wrong way round, my water gauge has a dodgy connection and it goes to max when it's DISconnected, that is the euro resistance system (volvo gauges), US resistances work other way round with a different ohms range. I made up some flyleads with resistors in to check my fuel gauges, one for empty, one for middle, and one for full. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 By crawling into the bilge and laying across the engine I could just see the sender under the deck using a torch... a lifetime of beer and pies meant it remained out of reach sadly π Luckily the boatyard has a helpful, thin young trainee who wasn't in today but may well have a job assignment before long ππ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Hi Ray why not remove dash and check gauge first it may be easier. John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Good idea John, thank you. Going back in the morning so that's my first job now π Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Just Β accurd to me is there a access hatch to fuel sender that is on top of tank?. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Doesn't seem to be John, the boat is a Broom 29 and I think the fuel gauge is a later addition. Having said that I wonder why it was put in such an inaccessible place, there are certainly more accessible areas of the tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Hi Ray When a sender is fitted to a tank it tends to be fitted near the side to allow the arm with the float on the end to have a unrestricted arc from top to bottom the length of the arm is 3/4 or more the depth of tank plus there may be a baffle inside tank to stop/restrict surging of fuel, i hope there is enough space to remove sender rather then having to remove tank if this becomes necessary if not a wiring fault. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 21, 2021 Author Share Posted June 21, 2021 Thanks John, I understand the whole setup a lot better now thanks to you π I have a dipstick for the time being thank goodness so it's not urgent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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