The Ford Barn - View Single Post - 1955 ford ranch wagon Fuel sender question.

Dobie Gillis · 01-03-2021, 09:20 PM

OK, before you order any more parts you need to suss out the problem by testing. This is from the '53 passenger car shop manual but the tests still apply because the gauges operate the same as your '55.

FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE

Turn the ignition on and observe the fuel gauge. Follow (a) or (b), whichever applies.

(a) GAUGE READS OVER THE FULL MARK. If the pointer goes beyond the scale on the FULL side a wire in the circuit is grounded. Repair or replace the wire.

(b) GAUGE DOES NOT READ PROPERLY. If the gauge does not indicate properly or fails to indicate, momentarily short the terminal wire to ground with a jumper wire until the pointer reaches the highest reading on the gauge, then immediately remover the jumper wire. Follow (1) or (2), whichever applies.

(1) GAUGE READS FULL. If the pointer reaches the maximum travel on the scale when the wire is grounded either the sending unit or the wire connecting the sending unit and gauge is faulty. Turn the ignition off and ground the sending unit terminal. Turn the ignition on momentarily. If the gauge begins to indicate the sending unit is at fault. If the gauge does not indicate, the connecting wire is broken.

(2) GAUGE FAILS TO INDICATE. If the gauge does not indicate when the wire is grounded replace the gauge.

01-03-2021, 09:20 PM	#10
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: 1955 ford ranch wagon Fuel sender question. OK, before you order any more parts you need to suss out the problem by testing. This is from the '53 passenger car shop manual but the tests still apply because the gauges operate the same as your '55. FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE Turn the ignition on and observe the fuel gauge. Follow (a) or (b), whichever applies. (a) GAUGE READS OVER THE FULL MARK. If the pointer goes beyond the scale on the FULL side a wire in the circuit is grounded. Repair or replace the wire. (b) GAUGE DOES NOT READ PROPERLY. If the gauge does not indicate properly or fails to indicate, momentarily short the terminal wire to ground with a jumper wire until the pointer reaches the highest reading on the gauge, then immediately remover the jumper wire. Follow (1) or (2), whichever applies. (1) GAUGE READS FULL. If the pointer reaches the maximum travel on the scale when the wire is grounded either the sending unit or the wire connecting the sending unit and gauge is faulty. Turn the ignition off and ground the sending unit terminal. Turn the ignition on momentarily. If the gauge begins to indicate the sending unit is at fault. If the gauge does not indicate, the connecting wire is broken. (2) GAUGE FAILS TO INDICATE. If the gauge does not indicate when the wire is grounded replace the gauge. __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.