Hello and fuel gauge problems.

Hey everybody. Just joined after purchasing my 1974 Maverick last Saturday. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as I go about restoring her. I used to own a 1970 Maverick back (a long time ago) when I was in high school. (First Car). Wish I had never got rid of it!!

I guess I might as well start and ask my first question that I need help with.

Gas guage don't work at all. I'm thinking the sending unit? How do I check that for sure? And is it located right on the edge of the tank? I haven't got a Chilton's manual yet. Sorry.

 

the fuel sending unit on my 71 is on the driver's side and is pretty easy to change (as long as your tank is empty). Some people have problem with the actual gauge in the dash but my problem was the sending unit.

 

Is it on the rear side of it? LIke near the bumper side?

 

you might not even need to change the sending unit. The brass bobber that clips into the sending unit might have just broken or fallen off. You can get them for about $5 from auto krafters. There's a hook on the sending unit it clips right into....
not saying that's the problem, but it's worth checking out.

 

Welcome. Same high school story for myself. Got my 72 a couple of years ago and I couldnt be happier. I really missed my old Mav. This ones a little nicer though.
Might be a good idea to drop the tank unit and have a look at the unit and gives you a chance to check out the condition of the tank. These cars can have some nasty old fuel damage in the tank.

 

from Northeast Pennsylvania

 

yea it's towards the very back part of the tank on the driver's side

 

How do I test it to see if that's the problem or not though?

 

do a search here for fuel sending unit or fuel gauge. there is a few ways to check it. I just went ahead and replaced mine. I did so because the gauge wasn't totally dead. When I turned on the car it would come up just a little but wouldn't fluctuate with changing fuel levels. I pulled the sending unit out and it actually was fully intact except I guess the arm wasn't moving freely from what appeared to be corrosion, it was sticky (best way to describe it). After replacing it everything worked ok. I should mention, the part was $80 and took months to arrive since it was backordered.

 

Thanks I appreciate it. I thought I had seen on here, before I registered, something about taking a wire and touching the ends of the unit or something. I can't remember. Does the sending unit have like a plug on the end of it that can come off without leaking fuel?

 

Awesome. Sounds easy enough.

 

Welcome to the site.....

 

from Martin GA

 

Well, I pulled the plug off the sending unit and connected a wire to one hole (female plug) and to the frame, fender and some other places, and nothing. Then I did the other hole and same thing. Then I took the wire and bridged the two holes and my wife said "OH YEAH It moved". LOL. All the way to Full and then slowly back down after I removed it. The gauge does move slightly I noticed from below E to right on the E. But I know that's not right. When I bought it, the seller thought it only had a gallon or so in it, that he had put in for people test drive it. So I filled it up and it only took like 12 bucks to fill it!! And I've only driven it about 120 mile so I'm pretty sure i'd have at the very LEAST 1/4-1/2 tank. I'm guessing probably the ball has fallen off? Or arm bent?