Fuel gauge sender - bad earth, corrosion of screws

[tallbongo]

Hi,

I've been checking out my non-working fuel gauge and am pretty sure it is down to a bad earth (thanks to the fact sheet).

I get a full tank displayed when I short the two wires, and I've done around 150 miles on a full tank and get a resistance of 27 ohms between a cleaned up screw head and the green wire connector.

I therefore want to put in a new earth but have been unable to remove any of the 8 screws holding the sender unit to the fuel tank as they are all corroded. I've tried WD40 to free them, but with no joy.

What is the best way to try to remove these? Is it safe to drill off the heads and take the threads out with pliers ( if necessary lifting the sender unit out)? I assume no other part of the surface is connected to the fuel gauge sender earth.

Thanks,

Dave.

[roofraisers]

Here's an alternative way to earth your fuel tank that doesn't involve trying to get the sender unit screws out.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ender+unit

Just remember if you do drill, drill a hole in the lip only & NOT through the fuel tank. I think though there are already some small holes that you could utilise with a nut, bolt & washer.

Nigel

[jaylee]

Here is what i did with mine....



I kept the original connection & solder tapped in two earth straps...

OK, so you cant "remove any of the 8 screws holding the sender unit to the fuel tank as they are all corroded".. But, you could find another good point to run to ground on the chassis...?

[tallbongo]

Thanks to all.

I used a self tapping screw on the fuel tank flange (I couldn't get a nice connection to the holes already present) and on the floor and connected these. Having checked for continuity and that the resistances were as expected , instead of cutting the wires to the connector I used a male spade connection shoved into the ground socket and taped it into place.

The fuel gauge seems to be operating as expected now.