Intermittent Air Cooled Fuel Gauge

[InventEd]

The fuel gauge on the van has always worked (if you call a full tank 2/3rds on the gauge) to date but recently it sometimes does and sometimes doesn't work. Any ideas what to look for, I am assuming a bad connection somewhere if it is coming and going? If anyone can point me to a list of what to look for that would be great. Likely to be gauge or sender unit? To be clear it drops off the bottom of the scale, to where it sits with the engine off when it is not working, so I don't think it is a short out anywhere.

I have some time on Wednesday to take a look but wanted to prepare myself with what to look for.

cheers

Ed

[bigherb]

It could be a number of faults. Does it only do it when the fuel drops below a certain level? Then it is most likely a faulty sender. Otherwise an intermittent connection between the earth for the sender or between the sender and gauge. Faulty gauge or the voltage regulator.
Incorrect reading gauges are usually due to having the wrong sender fitted early instruments need the early sender, Instruments from 86 need the later sender.

[InventEd]

Thanks for the response. Does it at any fuel level. Seams to be one day it does not work, another day it does for the first 5 minutes driving, then it stops. I think a loose connection or earth seams most likely. Any idea where the earth for the sender unit is? I am hoping not to need to remove the fuel tank to get at it!

[bigherb]

Any idea where the earth for the sender unit is? I am hoping not to need to remove the fuel tank to get at it!

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=151378" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[InventEd]

Thanks. So is that tank out to get at the earth? Looks from your linked thread that it is above the tank, out of normal access. Is that right?

[CovKid]

Think I'd check the easy stuff first - dash clocks