Gas Guage Trouble

[jwoutdoors]

Just bought an 06 21ft Stratos Pro XL from a friend. Got a great deal on it and am very happy with it, but trying to iron out a few little issues with it. All of a sudden the fuel gauge pretty much just quit working or not really sure if it was working to start with. When I got the boat the gas guage was reading a half a tank. I put 50 bucks worth of gas in it (still not full..lol) and when I looked at the gas guage it seemed almost like the needle went all the way past Full and back around to empty. I ran some of the gas out of the tank to see if it would move and nothing. I then proceeded to take the seats out and the floor panel so I could get to the gas tank and see if it was a float problem. It appears that the float was working properly and couldn't seem to figure anything out. Does anybody have any ideas? Can the guage just go bad sitting in the garage? Also didn't see a fuse for it but I'm not sure. Looked at the back of the guage behind the instrument cluster and there is no corrosion and appears to have good connections on the terminals.

 

[Superbad]

It sounds like a bad fuel sending unit. They're not that expensive. You can ground the sending unit out to test it. 9 times out of 10, the sending unit is bad, not the gauge.

 

[wrechin2]

Most of the time it is the sending unit. With the ethanol fuel, it attracts moisture and can corrode the sending unit. With the size of the tanks though, it usually takes quite a change in fuel to register. What is the gauge reading now?

 

[jwoutdoors]

Its reading way below E. When I turn the key on the guage jumps a little bit but never moves after that. I ran the tank down to where I had to put $75 worth of gas in it to fill it up and it never moved. I think it's probably the sending unit. The only part that sux is i'll probably have to take the boat back apart to get it out and check the part # and then I won't be able to fish out of it! Guess I may live with it for a while! Thanx for the help

 

[wrechin2]

Sounds like the sending unit. Once you get to the sending unit, ground , only for a split second, the center terminal like Superbad stated. If the gauge goes to full, the sending unit is at fault.... Another possibility is....Have you put a battery in it? Had one the other day that the wire for the ground at the sending unit was on the + side of the battery. If you have put a battery in it or messed with the terminals, it may have gotten left of. Just a thought.

 

[jwoutdoors]

Yes I have put a new battery in it and it is a very good possibility that I could be the problem! Changed all the connections out in the dark at the parts shop and that very well could be the problem. Call me captain obvious cause that's about the time it started giving me a fit! Thanks for the help, l don't know if I'll let you know if that was the problem cause I'll feel stupid! lol

 

[wrechin2]

It should be a green wire back at the battery. It goes on GROUND! LOL!!!

 

[jwoutdoors]

It's cold enough outside that I should be able to mail you a 12 pack without it goin bad!

 

[wrechin2]

Did it quit after the battery was changed???

 

[jwoutdoors]

The guage was sitting on half a tank when I bought the boat and I changed the cranking battery out after the first trip out on the water so I really never saw the guage move, but I'm pretty sure thats when it started givin me a fit. I'm at work right now but when I get home in the morning i will definitely check it out!

 

[wrechin2]

I would bet that is it! Just let us know!!!!

 

[jwoutdoors]

Will do, thanx alot for the help!

 

[wrechin2]

NO problem!!! Hope it is that simple for you!!! emoToast emoToast

 

[shiftworker]

you better get that fixed asap.... because my big A$$ DOESNT paddle.....

 

[jwoutdoors]

I knew I could count on u for comment, thanks for not letting me down!

 

[wrechin2]

Was the wire off????

 

[jwoutdoors]

didn't check it this morn. This 12hr swing shift stuff put me in the sack as soon as I got to the house and had a baseball game before work so I didn have a chance to mess with it! Goin fishin in the morn and gonna check it out. I'll let you know when I get back what I figured out. Thanx again!

 

[jwoutdoors]

Hey Wrenchin, it was the ground wire on the battery! Tested it today on the water and it worked like a champ! I feel like a dumb a$$ but at least I know how much gas i have! Thanks again

 

[wrechin2]

NOOOOOOOO Problem!!!!!! Glad it was a simple repair!

 

[hippi97]

I am having a problem with mine to. The gauge reads full all the time I can ground the center terminal and it will go to empty.