1971 Corvette: Service News: Fuel Gauge Diagnosis


Subject:   Fuel Gauge Diagnosis
Model and Year:  1971 - All Passenger Models
Source:  Chevrolet Service News
Page Number:   NA
Date:  April 1971 - Volume 43 - Number 4

Indications are that some service technicians are having difficulty diagnosing fuel gauge problems.  When a fuel gauge does not operate properly, three areas must be tested separately; the tank unit, the dash unit, and the wiring between them. 

The following simplified diagnostic procedure will assist technicians in checking out apparent malfunctions of this circuit.

  1. Check the fuel gauge fuse in the fuse panel and all connections and inspect the wiring for damaged insulators or conductors.
  2. Obtain a known good tank unit of the arm and float type from parts stock for use as a test unit. (The enclosed-canister type of tank unit is not convenient for testing purposes).
      NOTE:  Prior to the 1967 models, maximum resistant of the tank unit was 29 to 32 ohms.  Tank unit resistance on later models is approximately 90 ohms.
  3. Connect the test unit to the tank unit feed wire and the body harness connector located in the trunk on all passenger cars except Corvette.  On Corvettes the connector is located above the spare tire.  Ground the other terminal of the test unit.
  4. With the ignition switch "on", slowly move the test unit float arm from the empty to full positions and observe the operation of the dash unit.
  5. If the problem lies in the wiring harness it will consist of either a short or a break in a wire.


Article ID: 1050
Created: December 23, 2014
Last Updated: December 23, 2014

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