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Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 12:28 PM
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Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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1989 Chevy S10 Blazer
4.3 V6
145,xxx miles
My fuel gauge does not work, it stays above full and out of sight all the time.
Sending unit possibly?
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chickenhouse
Enthusiast
Dec 19, 2009, 12:31 PM
Post #2 of 23
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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Make sure you have a good ground at the sending unit.
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 12:33 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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What is the best way to go about that? Will the fuel tank need to be dropped?
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 1:14 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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Unplug the connector at the fuel tank. Turn the key on. If the gauge drops, then you will have to drop the tank and replace the sending unit.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 1:17 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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ok, thanks. If it does not drop then I have a faulty ground I am assuming?
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 2:03 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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No, if it doesn't drop, then locate the sensor wire (purple) and manually ground it and see if it responds to that.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 2:17 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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ok, the tank is out, the connector is unhooked and the fuel gauge did not move. So I should locate the purple wire and manually ground it with the connector hooked up or unhooked? What is the proper way to manually ground the wire?
This is happening in real time! I am running back and forth between the garage and the computer. I have hooked the connector back up, took a test light and hooked the alligator clamp to the terminal on the purple wire and put the other end against the frame and the gauge till does nothing.
Help please!
(This post was edited by timjohnson on Dec 19, 2009, 2:45 PM)
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 3:03 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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I don't know why you pulled the tank out before the problem was even diagnosed.
Just ground the purple wire to the truck and turn the key on. If the gauge still doesn't move, the problem is not in the tank, it's in the dash.
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 3:10 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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I could not get to the wiring connector with the tank in the vehicle. So I decided to remove it, figured more than likely the sending unit was bad anyway. Took a chance and it did not work. Not the end of the world.
Could it possibly be the gauge? Is there any way of checking it?
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 3:28 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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I just gave you the test. Did you run it?
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 3:38 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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Yes, I grounded the purple wire with a test light and the gauge did not move.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 3:56 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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What do you mean "with a test light? Did you contact the wire directly to ground or run it through the light?
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:09 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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I used the test light as a jumper wire like I explained in my earlier post. Put the alligator clip of the test light on the terminal of the purple wire and grounded the other end of the test light to the frame. I can not get the purple wire to pull loose from the sending unit and did not want to take a chance at tearing the terminal up.
(This post was edited by timjohnson on Dec 19, 2009, 4:11 PM)
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:11 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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No, that's not grounding the wire. That's running it through an incandescent bulb which is a resister. Directly to ground means directly to ground.
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:14 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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ok, how am I supposed to ground the purple wire if I can't get it loose from the sending unit then? I tried and tried but the terminal will not come off. The last thing I wanted to do was tear up the sending unit.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:19 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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It's not a big deal. If you've got a sharp testlight, just pierce the wire against the frame while someone else operates the key. It just can't go through the bulb.
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:26 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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So we are on the same page, when you say pierce the wire against the frame, you mean stick the test light through the wire and touch the frame with the test light? Sorry to seem dumb but I would rather ask now than later. Thanks for your help by the way.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:29 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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That's exactly what I mean. Just make sure you have the right wire.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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timjohnson
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:31 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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The purple one correct? Thanks for the help. I will give that a try in the morning. One more question, if the gauge moves when I ground the purple wire, what does that indicate?
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 4:35 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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That indicates that the ground for the tank is no good but I wouldn't expect that to happen. I'm expecting the problem to be in the dash, probably a bad gauge but wiring or the circuit board are also possible. You just have to make sure it's not a ground problem first.
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chickenhouse
Enthusiast
Dec 19, 2009, 5:44 PM
Post #21 of 23
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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" I tried and tried but the terminal will not come off. The last thing I wanted to do was tear up the sending unit" Still makes me wonder if connection is bad. Bare a small spot of the purple wire and touch it right to the frame or other sutible ground using an aligator clip or another wire. Don't let the current go through the test light.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2009, 6:03 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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No, don't go stripping the wire back for no reason. The method I gave you is sufficient. Just pierce the wire against the frame. Don't damage the wiring any more than necessary.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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chickenhouse
Enthusiast
Dec 19, 2009, 6:25 PM
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Re: Fuel gauge problem 89 S10 Blazer
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So - don't bare any wire. O K, you have the tank out, connect your ground wire where it plugs in at the gauge and to frame. Then turn the key on. No piercing, no bareing of the wire.
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