Fuel Gauge vs. Low Fuel Alarm

[PburgDooey]

I was wondering...

My fuel gauge does not work...and yes, I know all about the baffles and the fix for the fuse and the floats. But, the low fuel alarm still works. Is this part of the same mech?

What powers the low fuel alarm? Can I assume that if the alarm works, that means the fuse in the baffle is still good? ie., then the problem with the gauge is most likely the float, not the baffle?

Or, is the alarm a different part all together?

 

[Dr Honda]

as far as I know... you only have one sender. So... if the low fuel alarm works... that would say to me... that the gauge is bad.

 

[PburgDooey]

as far as I know... you only have one sender. So... if the low fuel alarm works... that would say to me... that the gauge is bad.

How can I test that?

 

[Dr Honda]

Take the sender wire (on the gauge side) and ground it. It should read full.

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah i agree with doc. If you are still getting the low fuel alarm, the problem isnt in the tank.

 

[PburgDooey]

Thanks. Would much rather replace the gauge instead of the sender.

 

[enut]

On my 98 Challenger 1800 which I think is the same as yours, my sending unit did not work, but my low fuel warning did come on when the fuel was low. So it is possible that you may still have a bad sending unit even though the low fuel warning still works. Use a manual and get a meter to read the resistance between the two wires, the third wire is the output to the MPEM for the low fuel warning. Which colors to measure, you can get from the service manual, they will probably be pink and pink\black. The pink\purple on my boat goes to the MPEM for the low fuel warning.

If between the pink and pink\black wires read open, (infinite resistance) then you will have to remove the sending unit and replace/repair it. If not then check the wires that connect to the gauge, you should read the proper resistance there as well. If that checks out OK, then it would be the gauge.