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Help gas gauge not working

k51977blazer

k51977blazer

1/2 ton status
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Posts
190
Reaction score
15
Location
Cocoa Florida
I have a 1976 blazer I bought it this way but it has a aftermarket wiring harness in it all the lights work and gauges work except the gas gauge, it’s stuck on a quarter tank, when I turn the headlights with the key off it moves to empty, when the key is on it moves maybe a quarter of a inch I just put 5 gallons in it and no movement, the gas tank is brand new also this was all done before I bought it anyone point me in the right direction
Thanks everyone
 
So I just went through this on my 88. It’s the resistor on the back of the gauge. It’s blown out.

I couldn’t fine just the resistor so I threw a good used gauge in there.

I think @Bent77 has some clusters that he’s selling.

Edit: as long as the sending unit is good.
 
I also had the quarter tank problem in two of my blazers. it was the resistor on the gauge both times. The resistor is a ceramic little white brick on the back of the gauge, doesn't look like a resistor.

The cheapest way to fix it is a brand new Chinese gauge, comes with the resistor, you could just put that resistor on the back of the OEM gauge if you want to keep it oem

I have heard that some resistors have different specs, so buyer beware
 
fordsucks! said:
I also had the quarter tank problem in two of my blazers. it was the resistor on the gauge both times. The resistor is a ceramic little white brick on the back of the gauge, doesn't look like a resistor.

The cheapest way to fix it is a brand new Chinese gauge, comes with the resistor, you could just put that resistor on the back of the OEM gauge if you want to keep it oem

I have heard that some resistors have different specs, so buyer beware
Click to expand...
Ok cool thank you
 
fordsucks! said:
I also had the quarter tank problem in two of my blazers. it was the resistor on the gauge both times. The resistor is a ceramic little white brick on the back of the gauge, doesn't look like a resistor.

The cheapest way to fix it is a brand new Chinese gauge, comes with the resistor, you could just put that resistor on the back of the OEM gauge if you want to keep it oem

I have heard that some resistors have different specs, so buyer beware
Click to expand...

Yep, color on the resistor indicates resistance (from the ones I've tested), and I believe the number hand written on the gauge assembly corresponds to what resistor it requires.
 
Make sure that your leads going to the sending unit in the tank aren't all jacked up too. The one's on the Jimmy have insulation falling off of them so I have to go through and make sure that the leads aren't touching the frame otherwise I read wayyyyy past full.
 
imiceman44 said:
It's been many years since I dealt with electronics so I forgot how to decode them but yes the color strips are numbers and the gold and silver at the end is the tolerance.
Here's the chart.
https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/learn_tutorials/6/4/Resistors.png
Click to expand...

Unfortunately GM used a flat ceramic resistor on most of the gauges (I think early variants used an exposed wire wrap) and they dont adhere to the same color coordinating scheme lol. Just a single color. Yellow, blue, red, etc.
 
dyeager535 said:
Unfortunately GM used a flat ceramic resistor on most of the gauges (I think early variants used an exposed wire wrap) and they dont adhere to the same color coordinating scheme lol. Just a single color. Yellow, blue, red, etc.
Click to expand...
I know the ceramic ones need to have the value printed on and most times they fade
 
I just got done with a lot of bodywork hooked up the battery now when I turn the headlights on gas gauge goes way passed e and the temp
Gauge goes way past cold any ideas
 
Check your wiring. When my 78 did that, it was the wire to the sending unit. Can't remember if it was grounded, or just broken.
 
I just turned in the headlights to see if any of my dash lights work only 1 works I’m going to order a set off amazon and see what happens
 
k51977blazer said:
I just turned in the headlights to see if any of my dash lights work only 1 works I’m going to order a set off amazon and see what happens
Click to expand...

probably a bunch of burnt bulbs. Luckily it's a common size, it's the same bulb that goes in the front side markers and rear corners. 194 or 168 i believe.
 
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