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2005 Columbia, fuel gauge problems Need Help!

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by tuningbyamg, Dec 11, 2010.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Dec 11, 2010 #1
    tuningbyamg

    tuningbyamg Bobtail Member

    11
    0
    Aug 17, 2009
    0
    Hi,
    Recently Acquired a 2005 Freightliner columbia class, the needle for the fuel is not showing anything.
    Here is the steps i took to quickly check this...
    1. With ignition on all gauges on dash complete self test (move freely from left to right and back)
    2. i tried measuring resistance to the plug that goes to the fuel sender, i didnt see a sign of an open circuit hence no broken wires from dash to fuel sender (i suppose)
    3. tried to short the plug to fuel sender = no result
    4. tried feeding 9v to fuel sender plug = no movement on gauge in dash

    Didnt have much time ot do anything else, and i really want to be on the right track here. Does anyone know the functionning of this system? How does it exactly operate?:biggrin_25511:
     
    tuningbyamg, Dec 11, 2010
    tuningbyamg, Dec 11, 2010
    #1
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  3. Dec 11, 2010 #2
    musicmaker

    musicmaker Medium Load Member

    561
    145
    Dec 25, 2009
    Fort Madison, IA
    0
    The fuel sending unit is actually a variable resistor. The float movers up and down with the fuel level which moves the resistor. The gage is just reading the resistance. Most times the float is stuck and is not moving. You should be able to remove the float from the fuel tank and watch your gage as you move the float.
     
    musicmaker, Dec 11, 2010
    musicmaker, Dec 11, 2010
    #2
  4. Dec 11, 2010 #3
    LandShark

    LandShark Road Train Member

    1,525
    1,064
    Nov 22, 2008
    Riverdale, Ga
    0
    come on now this is such a non issue...my pete's fuel gauge has never worked never had a problem...everytime you top off just reset your tripometer you should know about how many miles you can get to a fill up...
     
    LandShark, Dec 11, 2010
    LandShark, Dec 11, 2010
    #3
  5. Dec 11, 2010 #4
    tuningbyamg

    tuningbyamg Bobtail Member

    11
    0
    Aug 17, 2009
    0
    thanks musicmaker, i like your response better, but my question was after all i did why didnt it move or react when i shorted it and what not???
     
    tuningbyamg, Dec 11, 2010
    tuningbyamg, Dec 11, 2010
    #4
  7. Dec 11, 2010 #5
    musicmaker

    musicmaker Medium Load Member

    561
    145
    Dec 25, 2009
    Fort Madison, IA
    0
    The gage needs a resistance to work, it doesnt go from 0 ohms, its likely that either the wires have a bad connection at the screws of the sensor or the float is not moving.
     
    musicmaker, Dec 11, 2010
    musicmaker, Dec 11, 2010
    #5
  8. Dec 11, 2010 #6
    JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

    1,594
    684
    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
    0
    First off do not power the gauge wiring use a multimeter, and check the resistance to ground on the ground wire then ground out the wire to the center post on the sender and the gauge should go to full. Clean off your fifth wheel disconnect tool and with a flash light look for the gauge float and rod, lift it up and see if the float is on and what the gauge does. The floats do come off.
     
    JohnP3, Dec 11, 2010
    JohnP3, Dec 11, 2010
    #6
  9. Dec 13, 2010 #7
    Smalltruck

    Smalltruck Light Load Member

    141
    68
    Jul 3, 2010
    Elko, MN
    0
    Experience with that model leads me to say its a 90% chance you need a new sending unit. Rare that the gauge has died. And its only 5 screws to pull it out and check gauge operation through its swing. And then throw it away and install a new one.
     
    Smalltruck, Dec 13, 2010
    Smalltruck, Dec 13, 2010
    #7
  10. Dec 13, 2010 #8
    heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

    3,723
    2,040
    Dec 23, 2009
    AL/TN BORDER
    0
    I had to do this before. not hard & not expensive.
     
    heavyhaulerss, Dec 13, 2010
    heavyhaulerss, Dec 13, 2010
    #8
  11. Oct 23, 2011 #9
    herbertthomas01

    herbertthomas01 Bobtail Member

    6
    0
    Oct 23, 2011
    jacksonville
    0

    can you give me some help with the sending unit issue also my gauge is stuck to the full position ive change the sending unit and the fuel gauge not working need some help
     
    herbertthomas01, Oct 23, 2011
    herbertthomas01, Oct 23, 2011
    #9
  12. Mar 2, 2012 #10
    kamiondzija

    kamiondzija Bobtail Member

    5
    2
    Apr 3, 2010
    Chicago
    0
    I have same problem on Columbia, fuel gauge not working

    i connected to new cluster and nothing
    connected to new sender and nothing

    in mu case form time to time i got some readings and movement from gauge but after few second drops down or not read accurate.
    Doing as LandShark :biggrin_25520:
    my advice
    suggesting on bad     wires or connection somewhere. no time to mess around.
     
    kamiondzija, Mar 2, 2012
    kamiondzija, Mar 2, 2012
    #10
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