I recently installed a Princess Auto universal gas gauge at the advice of a very knowledgable friend. I planned to use it until I got my 42 gauge fixed (when funds permit).
So I mounted the new gauge, grounded it and for power, I attached it to the power side of the original gauge because I figured power is already going there and I don't have to cut into any wires. The wiring under the dash is so tidy, I don't want to spoil it plus I don't know how to discern another wire for a power source.
I had already tested the sending unit with my multi-meter and it worked fine. Prior to this effort, the 42 gauge always read half full.
So I now have a power and ground for the new gauge but what's weird is the new gauge doesn't read anything other than empty and the old gauge now reads almost full.
I thought, "GREAT", my old gauge is working now but soon discovered that's all it reads. Not sure what is going on but I think the good news is that my old gauge works - maybe - if hooked up correctly.
So I might have a functioning old gauge and sending unit. Hmm ? But one gauge reads empty and the other gauge reads full.
I believe the new gauge is 12 volt and my gauges are all set with a resistor that cost me a $190 so it better work. I guess it's just the sender and original gauge don't match but both came with the truck. The new gauge just reads empty. At least now the needle moves from empty to full every time I start the truck. The reading can be false but at least I know the needle can move. Thank you Jarvis. Thank you Chris.
I can do like the 3 stooges. One gauge reads full and one reads empty so I can just run on the average. lol
Ford up to 1986 - 73-10 Ohms
Ford 1987 & up - 16-158 Ohms
GM up to 1964 - 0-30 Ohms
GM 1965-1997 - 0-90 Ohms
GM 1998 & up - 40-250 Ohms
Mopar up to 1986 - 73-10 Ohms
AMC 1950-1977 - 73-10 Ohms
Autometer -240-33 Ohms is the most common however other ohm ranges are made
Classic Instruments - 240-33 Ohms (excluding vehicle specific gauge kits which use factory ohm range)
Dolphin - 0-90 Ohms
Dakota Digital - Programmable to work with most Ohm range senders
VDO - 10-180 Ohms
empty to full so chev would be 0 empty 30 full up to 64
So I guess all I have to do is go back to Princess Auto and get the matching sending unit or get a new sending unit for the 42 gauge. Wait. I tested the sending unit that came with the truck and the multi meter tested it as functioning. I guess it just didn't match in ohms. Ah well, off tp Princess and see what happens. Thank you Marten. Thank you Slim.
So I have to decide whether to get the cheap Princess sending unit for my cheap Princess gauge - or - one of the other two I found online. One was from Dennis Carpenter ( empty -138 - 141 / full - 17 - 19) or the other one which I am still waiting for a reply on the Ohms output. (Eclassics) I would rather get my original gauge paired with a proper sending unit. Plus some of the replies on the Princess unit are less than favourable. But the Carpenter unit doesn't match the Ohms number Slim lists for Ford. Hmm ? What to do ?
-- Edited by Cuddles on Sunday 6th of October 2024 10:33:17 AM
It looks neat but I think my gauge works. I just need the right sending unit. That does look neat though. And with the original box too. Decent. Thank you Warren.
