Bad Sender?

[Kauffmanbros]

Hello, I've owned this Bronco for less than a week now and the fuel gauge isn't working. The gauge bottoms out when the vehicle is off then comes up slightly to E anytime it's running. I'm suspecting a bad sender, but want to verify before throwing parts at likely issues. I'll be dropping the tank if all goes according to plan this Saturday 5/21, but do I have to do that to get to the sender on these? Does anyone have any experience doing a sender repair? Is this something I can clean or repair instead of having to buy a new one? I'm also just curious does anyone have the approx number of ohms from the sender for tank level? I know enough to be dangerous but obviously still need some help. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[miesk5]

Yo,

Testing in an 78-86; "...Ground the Y/Wh wire at the fuel tank, turn the key to RUN, and observe the gauge. If it pegs FULL, the sender is bad inside the tank. If it stays at EMPTY, it's an electrical fault, probably in the cluster, or its connector..." by Steve

Testing; "...There is a brass float attached to the sending unit, and eventually they can develop a pin hole leak.." by Adam

...78-86 has the old sender...Full = 10 Ohms. Half Tank = 25 Ohms. Empty = 50 Ohms Pointer Width Below E: 73 = Ohms) Edited by miesk5 to keep this info correct.

The resistive strip in the sender wears out. Never saw a replacement strip or a day repair, yet. In later years, some use a pink eraser to clean the strip.

Pre 87 fuel level senders are much different from 87-up. Not only do they work over a different range; they work in the opposite direction ...

Our sponsor, Jeff Bronco Graveyard sells new senders and floats

http://shop.broncograveyard.com/Sending-Units/products/1509/

SeaBronc probably has more info for you.

 

[Kauffmanbros]

Awesome, that will help a lot. I'll try the wire to tank ground over the weekend and report back. Thanks for the help /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[miesk5]

Yo,

Yw.

GL!