Posted by rickyracer (IP: 209.20.173.89) on October 29, 1999 at 16:26:46:
In Reply to: Gas tank sender posted by Robin on October 29, 1999 at 15:47:51:
:Robin there is several things you can check to make sure it is the sending unit. One the voltage regular on the back of the dash for the fuel gauge, probably bad after all these years, $12item, just replace it they go old, and jump the sending units electrical wires to ground and watch the gauge if it moves regular is good, wires are good, sending unit bad. If it doesn't move, regular or wiring bad to gauge. you can also jump the gauge itself and test to see if the gauge is good. Don't pull the sending unit out until you test everything else first. you have to make sure of a good seal or it leaks all the time.
If it is bad could be tough finding one, may have to get it from another Maverick , but you can test the sending unit also with a volt meter.
The gas gauge on my '76 Maverick it totally unreliable and my mechanic/friend says it needs a new gas tank sender and o-ring. Ford says the part is no longer available. Someone at alt.autos.ford suggested that an early Mustang sender should work, but Mustang tanks are 16, 20, or 22 gallons and my Maverick's tank is 19.2 gallons. Would a sender for a Mustang 20 gallon work? Also, any suggestions of a good place to get this?