Fuel gauge went Kapoot.

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Blackdog455, May 5, 2011.

  1. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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    Does anyone know how to get the fuel gauge working if it went out? My maverick has a fuel cell in the trunk and i was just wondering what i would need to do (buy) to get the fuel gauge working again.
     
  2. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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    Maybe a fuel sending unit? only problem is is that i have no idea what ohms is and what kind i would need...
     
  3. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    Maverick factory sender is 73-10 ohms empty to full, respectively. Not to many aftermarket options unfortunately for fuel cells as most like to use the GM 0-90 ohm senders, good luck hunting!
     
  4. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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    i know summit sells the 73-10 ohms unit for around $100...What would happen if i were to use the 0-90? Would it read incorrectly?
     
  5. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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  6. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    the 70-10 should work, the 90-0 definitely won't. It would read opposite, full when it's actually empty
     
  7. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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    not to thrilled about the price, but i guess its better then buying a new gauge and sending unit that works with that gauge. Thanks for the help.
     
  8. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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    one last question. When i first bought the maverick the fuel gauge only went to half way when i had a full tank of gas, could that be the fuel sending unit? or is something else going wrong? It just not decided to not work all together (the gauge shows empty on a full tank of gas).
     
  9. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    It's possible that the gauge is defective or the regulator isn't working. If you unplug the sending unit, the gauge should slowly go to empty when you turn the key on. I have a 10ohm resistor in a jumper wire I use to check it by grounding one end of the jumper and connecting the other to the sender plug on the yellow/white wire. The gauge should go to full. If it doesn't work like this, you'll have to eliminate the wiring and voltage regulator. It's responsible only for the fuel gauge on the Maverick where other Ford cars/trucks have multiple gauges that would work incorrectly or not at all if it's defective. It should have a 12v input, key on, and pulsed 5v average output. It's the silver rectangular box on the back of the instrument cluster.
     
  10. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    what...sender...do you have in your...fuel cell...that the gauge worked at all?

    "the fuel gauge only went to half way when i had a full tank of gas."
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2011
  11. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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    i have no idea. I bought the car with the fuel cell in it already. The fuel gauge only went to half way on a full tank of gas and i got used to it that way for awhile...just decided to go out on my yesterday. So yeah, i have no idea what sender is in it currently.
     
  12. injectedmav

    injectedmav Member

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    Just to make sure we're on the same page, you have a stock Maverick gauge with an unknown sender in a fuel cell and it just quit working. If only the pigtail that goes to the tank was modified and the cluster and wiring are intact, you should be able to run the test I mentioned previously and if all is ok, then get the correct sender for the Mav. 73-10 ohms empty to full.
     
  13. Ol Maverick Man

    Ol Maverick Man Member

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    Why not get an aftermarket gauge, such as a SW, and matching sending unit? If you are running a fuel cell, you probably don't care that it won't be original.
     
  14. Blackdog455

    Blackdog455 Member

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    i dont want to many gauges to fill up the car. And yes, i have a stock maverick gauge with an unknown sender in my fuel cell. But that would be option #2 if me getting a 70-10 ohms fuel unit and it doesnt work.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2011

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