Fuel tank sender/fuel gauge

[Dek]

Hi Guys
When my car came back from being sprayed they disconnected the wires from the sender. I believe one goes to the gauge and the other is earth. Can anyone tell me which to connect to which terminal on the sender unit. I've looked for identifying marks on the sender but all I can see is near one there is an 'M' or 'W'. Please don't suggest trying both connection options because I think the gauge is buggered also but if I do need another I don't want to risk damaging that by taking 'pot luck'. I say I think the gauge is nacked because when I earth the sender terminal on the gauge there is no needle deflection. Anyone know who stocks Stewart Warner gauges without having to wait for importation?
Cheers
Dek

[zeb]

Dek,

Try buzzing the wires that you have with a multi meter. One will have a low resistance to earth the other will not. Wrap a bit of black tape round the end of the wire with low resistance so you know which one it is.

Regarding checking the other equipment. What I would suggest is plugging a multi meter to the sender and checking the resistance as you move the sender arm. This will tell you if it is working.

The same would apply to the guage. Plug it to 12 volts and it should go to full. take it off and it will drop back down.

You might want to run a continuity check on the wires to the sender.

If you start from the positive end near the guage and work forwards, this woudl be easier. I would also suggest checking your earthing points, this will bugger things up for you to.

Have fun....

Zeb

[Dek]

Thanks for that Zeb
Presumably the terminal that does not have the low resistance to earth goes to the sender terminal on the gauge?
Dek

[zeb]

Usually you will have an insulated connection which is the positive and goes to the guage and a connection on the body of the sender which is the negative which goes to earth. The tank may be earthed so you do not want to get them the wrong way round.

So yes, the wire wire that does not have low resistance to earth goes to the guage.

Zeb