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PaulAchuff · 09-10-2018, 03:17 PM

Hi all
I have a 1985 Fleetwood Southwind and the fuel guage doesn't work. Is there a place or resource I can find to replace this unit or can I fix the one that's already in there?

Any help will be appreciated!

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Paul and Kim
1985 Fleetwood Southwind
Kalispell, Montana

jbeyersdorf · 09-10-2018, 05:02 PM

I would assume the unit goes into the tank around the same place as the fuel line that feeds the main powerplant.. if the sensor is bad, more than likely you will need to drop the tank to remove and replace.

RKins · 09-11-2018, 06:00 AM

Have you tested the gauge to see if it actually works? On mine I used a variable resistor , disconnected the gauge from the sending unit and put the resistor across the wires - I varied the resistance and the gauge followed, going up and down. That verified the gauge was good and that the sending unit was bad. Luckily my sending unit is mounted on the side of the tank, so I didn't have to drop the tank. It was still quite a challenge to change though.

PaulAchuff · 09-11-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKins

Have you tested the gauge to see if it actually works? On mine I used a variable resistor , disconnected the gauge from the sending unit and put the resistor across the wires - I varied the resistance and the gauge followed, going up and down. That verified the gauge was good and that the sending unit was bad. Luckily my sending unit is mounted on the side of the tank, so I didn't have to drop the tank. It was still quite a challenge to change though.

The guage is mechanical I believe. It's always stuck between full and three quarters full. It never gets any lower than that. Maybe I'm not understanding something though?

-------------------
Paul and Kim
1985 Fleetwood Southwind 33 ft
Kalispell, Montana

Dav L · 09-11-2018, 10:03 PM

You can disconnect the fuel level sensor and ground the sensor wire to the gauge. You should be able to send the gauge full / empty by grounding / disconnecting the wire. If that happens, then it's very likely the sender (which it sounds like).

Determine by looking at the sensor if the tank has to be removed. If so, drive until the tank is near empty. Siphon the rest of fuel out. Power wash the tank so it's not as grimy to work on. Wait to dry. Disconnect the lines going to the tank, remove the tank straps with a jack on a piece of wood underneath the tank to catch it's weight.

Once the tank is out, clean it out well (I use a power washer) and examine to see if it's rusty inside (once you remove the sender / pump). If it is, send the tank to a radiator shop for cleaning and recoating the inside. Let the tank dry out well before putting it back together.

Replace the sender. If you have an in tank fuel pump, consider putting a new one in so you don't have to do this work twice when the old pump dies. Replace all the soft fuel lines and clamps.

Make sure you don't bend the sender level float and wack it out of calibration.

Brob · 09-12-2018, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKins

Luckily my sending unit is mounted on the side of the tank, so I didn't have to drop the tank. It was still quite a challenge to change though.

Lucky indeed! I have a big tank to drop soon and one of the all-thread rods is bent just under the nut.

RKins · 09-12-2018, 01:56 PM

That sucks Brob - maybe it's sawzall with metal blade time?

Brob · 09-13-2018, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKins

That sucks Brob - maybe it's sawzall with metal blade time?

Yep, that's the likely course; followed by a grinder to clean up the threads before the nut comes off. The up side is I should still have enough all-thread rod to reinstall it when it's all said and done.