Hi there. My 2001 Drifter 1500 fuel guage stopped working and needle stays on Full mark the entire time.
My questions below after old post here -
I searched the forum and found this old post that Chief replied-
Anyway if you remove the speedometer cover, coming out of the tank, next to the triple tree there is a female 2-pin gauge connector. Disconnect that. Turn on the ignition and short the fuel level sensor wires... Gauge should read empty when connector wires are open, should read full when shorted.
The the gauge readings are ok, the fuel level sensor is bad. If you didn't get the right readings you need to check the guage and the wiring. If the wiring and connectors are good, you have a bad gauge. This would mean you need the whole speedometer, it only comes as an assembly.
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Questions-
I have a manual and can find the fuel sensor connector.
How exactly do I short the wires on the 2 pin fuel sensor connector ? I have no idea.
If I have to change out sender unit (if that's what it is called) on tank, Is that easy and any tips?
Besides this short wire test, Is there anything else to check or do?
I have not had the tank off in a few years and the fuel gauge was working until last fall when I first noticed it's stuck on full,on a ride. I always use fuel stabilizers and store bike with a full tank of gas.
I just got it out last Saturday from the winter storage and went over everything and went out for a 60 mile ride and the fuel gauge still stays on full mark.
Speedometer and trip meter work fine. Just annoying not having fuel gauge function.
Thanks In Advance
Shorting the connector just means connecting the two pins together (in the plug leading to the instrument, not the sensor...When the level sensor is "full" there is no resistance in the circuit, when it's empty, then there is a a specific amount of resistance, causing the gauge to read lower. If you just disconnect the harness plug and turn on the ignition, the gauge should drop to "0"....At least with a GM gauge, the 1/2 mark is 90 ohms. It's actually a very simple circuit. The blue wire is for the push me soon light. The fuel level sensor is mounted inside the tank, under a black plastic cover that has a hose attached to it, in case it should leak. The hose directs fuel away from the top of the engine.
I had a similar problem on my '99. Fuel gauge wouldn't work, on E constantly. Wound up being the in tank sender unit. The only problem I had was finding a new sender gasket 11009-1656, seems they are discontinued. Found one on ebay from Germany.
Quote from: Old Drifter on March 28, 2019, 16:54:35 PM
I had a similar problem on my '99. Fuel gauge wouldn't work, on E constantly. Wound up being the in tank sender unit. The only problem I had was finding a new sender gasket 11009-1656, seems they are discontinued. Found one on ebay from Germany.
What...... :o Germany. Thats crazy. I just searched Partzilla and discontinued. Checked Ebay and got one from Germany just to have on hand if needed. Looks like the Sending Unit is no longer available either. I'll have to look for a used one if needed.
Gene and Troll, Thanks for the tips. That will save me time ..............
I picked up a whole new sending unit (complete with gasket) last year when I was re-building my 1500. got it from Partzilla for under $100....I guess I got lucky if they are no longer available.. :o
I found a very good used one (sender) on ebay, a few years ago when I needed one.
My repair manual does not have anything on replacing sender unit.
Looks simple enough, remove gas tank, then four bolts for sender unit.
Old Drifter-
I ordered the new gasket for it. Found a used supposedly working one on eBay.
Do you use any silicone in the new gasket?
Quote from: Trall on March 29, 2019, 07:09:06 AM
My repair manual does not have anything on replacing sender unit.
Looks simple enough, remove gas tank, then four bolts for sender unit.
Old Drifter-
I ordered the new gasket for it. Found a used supposedly working one on eBay.
Do you use any silicone in the new gasket?
NO, just make sure that the contact surfaces are clean.