Fuel gauge not working

My fuel gauge isn't working but , to be honest, I don't know if my fuel guage was ever working, I know sounds dumb. But my truck wasn't running for a while so I couldn't tell and I never filled it up all the way, and I bought it with the fuel gauge low. Today I added 10 gal and the needle still didn't move. I did replace the fuel pump relay about a month ago. Is there a way to test if its even getting a signal?

yo Michael,

Where is the Needle when Bronco is running? At Empty? OR doe it mov3e from an Empty to Below Empty position?..

etc.

Testing in 87-96; Fuel Gauge Moves from E to below E; "...Disconnect the connector at the fuel tank, ground the yellow with white tracer wire (make sure you have a good ground),turn the key on-if the gauge goes to empty, chances are, the fuel sender is the problem. If the gauge doesn't move, then recheck the grounding of the Y/W wire,if it is good then the problem is is forward of the sender (wiring/connectors/instrument cluster)..."

by 85bigbronco

Wiring Diagram in an 89

Source: by SeattleFSB (Seattle FSB) at SuperMotors.net



EZ cks first; check Ground G801

Fuel Level Sender & Gauge Wiring for '92-96 Broncos ('87-96 F-series & Bronco similar)

IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.

Sender Range: 160 (full) - 16 (empty) Ohms

A gauge that pegs past full indicates an open circuit (broken wire; unplugged connector; corroded terminal; burned sender) on the Y/W wire.

A gauge that pegs past empty indicates a short to ground (pinched to the frame, body, or dash supports) on the Y/W wire, OR a sunk float.

A gauge anywhere in between that doesn't move indicates an open circuit (blown fuse; corroded terminal) on the power (battery) side of the gauge OR a bad instrument cluster ground at C251 pin 9.

The terminals of C251 (& C250) are known to corrode & lose contact (open). Polish both the connector pins AND the film circuit pads with brown paper or a pink eraser.

The larger version of C441(WPT454) was used until '93.

The level sender can usually be disassembled & repaired by bending the wiper arm inside the plastic housing to apply slightly more force. See the other photos in this album.

For more info, see this album's captions: http://www.supermotors.net/registry/2742/34307-4

by Steve83 (Steve, That dirty old truck) at http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/744437

It stays right on E. So its probably a bad ground.

or a sunk float.

yo,

All i have on the G801 Ground is that in mid-80's years it is on driver side inner fender, behind headlights; but fuel pupms share that Ground too, so I assume they work. Check anyway for bad wiring for the gauge ckt.

What are the key points I should check on the truck? I followed the wire from the tank and it goes into a sheathing, and it looks like it goes up into the floor.

yo MICHAEL;

Testing & Connector Pin-Outs in 92-96 Bronco (87-96 F-series & Bronco similar); Sender Range: 16 Ohms Empty; 160 Ohms Full; "...

gauge that pegs past full indicates an open circuit (broken wire; unplugged connector; corroded terminal; burned sender) on the Y/W wire.

gauge that pegs past empty indicates a short to ground (pinched to the frame, body, or dash supports) on the Y/W wire, OR a sunk float.

gauge anywhere in between that doesn't move indicates an open circuit (blown fuse; corroded terminal) on the power (battery) side of the gauge OR a bad instrument cluster ground at C251 pin 9.

The terminals of C251 (& C250) are known to corrode & lose contact. Polish both the connector pins AND the film circuit pads with brown paper or a pink eraser.

The larger version of C441(WPT454) was used until 93. The level sender can usually be disassembled & repaired by bending the wiper arm inside the plastic housing to apply slightly more force..."

Source: by Steve83 (Steve, That dirty old truck) at http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/744437

C251, Location, Behind Instrument Panel Diagram by Seattle FSB (SeattleFSB) at http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/860017/original/1990-component-location-view-1518.jpg