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Fuel tank gauges frozen?

Discussion in 'Engines' started by Jnicholas, May 18, 2024.

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  1. Jnicholas, May 18, 2024
    #1
    Jnicholas

    Jnicholas Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2013
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    Location:
    Long beach ca
    My Carver 450 with twin Volvo tam74p edc. Two fuel tank gauges. I know they are not very accurate, but both has stopped working at the same time.

    after last fuel stop, 200 gallons purchased for each tank. Not quite to full and gauges reflected that.

    several small trips completed the flow scan meters showed several gallons burned, gauges never moved. Just got home from longer trip and flow scans show 80 gallons burned in total since fill up. Should be close to half a tank remaining.

    Both gauges have not moves at all from nearly full.

    seems unlikely that both sending units or both independent gauges failed at the exact same time.

    is there a breaker or some other way they are linked together for power? Not relying on it but would like to at least operate?

    any suggestions on what I can try?
  2. LM Viking, May 18, 2024
    #2
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Location:
    Michigan
    Depending on the type of sender they can get stuck or in some cases a float becomes saturated and no longer functions. You need to find the sensors on your tanks and determine if the are getting voltage also.
  3. LM Viking, May 18, 2024
    #3
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Location:
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    If they are stuck sometimes they can be cleaned and will function again.
  4. LM Viking, May 18, 2024
    #4
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Location:
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    This is a picture of the type of Rochester senders I have on my Viking for both fuel and water tanks. IMG_3777.jpeg
  5. LM Viking, May 18, 2024
    #5
    LM Viking

    LM Viking Member

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    Location:
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    The black float goes up and down and can get stuck. There are other types and brands of senders used.
  6. Norseman, May 18, 2024
    #6
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Corrosion on the common ground bar?
    (I seem to remember that most fuel gauge problems was caused by bad ground.)
  7. Jnicholas, May 18, 2024
    #7
    Jnicholas

    Jnicholas Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2013
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    Location:
    Long beach ca
    I’m not much of an electrician but that makes more sense that both floats corroded stuck at the exact same moment. I’ll have to get some help to find this common ground bar