1958 Apache, new gauge, new sending unit. All works fine when the unit is out of the tank. Move the float, the gauge needle moves accordingly. Sending unit is physically grounded-touching the truck. Put it in and no joy. Needle either stays at E or goes all the way past full., or dances as I work the ground wire. I'm guessing it's the ground. How do I get a good ground, (using the original harness at the tank) and any other thoughts? I know this is as simple as a rock, but I must be simpler. Thanks for thelp.
If it "dances" when you move the ground wire I would start by checking to see if the terminal on the wire is tight and the ground location is clean.
Run a new ground wire to a clean bare metal spot that is grounded. It is probably losing ground even though it looks like it's making connection. Doesn't take much corrosion or rust to screw up a ground, sometimes you can't even see it with the naked eye. I've got a light, TS/Parking light, on my semi that fits tight in the bulb socket, but every once in a while I have to take it out and scrape the contacts. Even though it's touching, it isn't making connection.
My latest gauge set, Autometer, I believe, instructed me to run a separate ground wire all the way from a lug on the sender to the terminal on the gauge. Gary
On my '50 Buick I ran a ground from one of the sender mounting screws/bolts to a CLEAN spot on the frame. Ben
I would think you could put a ground wire under one of the sender mounting screws and the other end to the frame. But you have to make sure the dash/ gauge is grounded also so that means a ground wire from the frame to the dash or gauge itself. OR like said before just run a ground wore from sender to gauge.
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