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Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

posted by  New2Volvo2 on  Sat Aug 27 06:34 CST 2011
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last visit: Mon Aug 4 12:32 CST 2014
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Went to the filling station last night and put $42 in the tank, should have given me about 3/4 full. Gauge didn't move much but it usually doesn't until I start driving the vehicle, or turn it off for a short period and restart it. However, just prior to going to the pump, and the gauge read approx. 1/8th of a tank, the low fuel (amber) warning light came on unexpectedly. Just so happens I was heading to the station at the time anyway. So, after putting in the $42, now the fuel gauge never has gone beyond the first third of a tank measure, and though Ive driven 50 miles since then, the needle hasn't registered any movement. Needle has not moved since pulling away from the pump last night, and it should have. Wondering if the float might be stuck (among other things), and will completely filling the tank possibly free it? Any ideas?








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    Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

    posted by  KlausC on  Sat Aug 27 09:45 CST 2011
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    Sounds like your 'float' is stuck or very dirty. I would remove it, easy enough to do on the 850s, clean it, test it with a multimeter, and put it back in.

    The gauge is supposed to move as soon as you add gasoline to the tank, not wait for the fuel to slosh around a bit.

    The access panels are directly behind the rear seat, under the carpet. The sending unit is on the passenger side and the pump is in the center.

    Klaus
    --
    1967 220 belonging to C.A. lives on








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      Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

      posted by  New2Volvo2 on  Sat Aug 27 18:51 CST 2011
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      last visit: Mon Aug 4 12:32 CST 2014
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      Thanks again Klaus. Having not done this type of diagnosis/repair before, is there anything I should mindful of? Special tools? Fragile pieces?

      Thanks








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        Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

        posted by  KlausC on  Sat Aug 27 18:55 CST 2011
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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        No special tools. The fuel sender and pump are held in place by a large white plastic 'thing'. I turned a pair of regular pliers upside down and inserted the handle ends into the plastic at 180 degrees. Then spun the plastic off.

        The electrical connector for the sender is by the fuel pump, somewhere - its been a long time.

        I took my sender out of the car and cleaned the internals with carb cleaner and a soft cloth.

        Klaus
        --
        1967 220 belonging to C.A. lives on








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          Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

          posted by  New2Volvo2 on  Sat Aug 27 18:59 CST 2011
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          last visit: Mon Aug 4 12:32 CST 2014
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          So the "float" I am thinking of is contained inside the sender? What should I look for in the way of it being "dirty"? Thinking about going to a boneyard tomorrow morning and experiment taking one out of a donor 850 for practice, and I thought if the one I take out looks better than the one I have currently, would it be wise to swap them?







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            Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

            posted by  KlausC on  Sat Aug 27 20:13 CST 2011
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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            Good idea about removing one from a bone yard. Bring pliers.

            With a multimeter attached to the plug, you can measure the resistance as you move the float up and down.

            My 1995 had a cylindrical sender, the new models have a ball and cock araingement, they both work.

            I think the inspection plates are screwed down with 10mm bolts.

            Klaus
            --
            1967 220 belonging to C.A. lives on








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              Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

              posted by  New2Volvo2 on  Sun Aug 28 10:09 CST 2011
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              last visit: Mon Aug 4 12:32 CST 2014
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              Went to the boneyard this morning and found donors from a 1995 and the other a 1996. The 1996 tube looked clean (could that be from using premium gas?), and the other seemed to be a bit more "used". Both intact, as expected. Here's the question: I did not see anyplace where the two wires that attach to the top of the tube connect, so I snipped them, so I am hoping I can just splice them back. Don't know how to determine which one is positive or negative though, and that's one of the questions. Related, does the orangish colored cap at the top of the tube come off, and if so, how? -- that would make it much easier to replace if it does. Incidentally, I turned both tubes upside down and there seems to be a ball or something moving freely with no restrictions. Thanks for your help again.







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                Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

                posted by  KlausC on  Sun Aug 28 13:18 CST 2011
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                last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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                Darn. I hate to see spliced wires, especially when the plug is less than 18" away, by the fuel pump. There is no polarity requirement that I know of.

                The float/ball inside the tube should go up/down with no resistance. There are two copper 'pins' that slide over wound wire. The wire is wound so that there will be more resistance at one end than the other end of the tube.

                Prise the 1995 tube open, there are small dents at the top and bottom. Then you will know how it works.

                Klaus
                --
                1967 220 belonging to C.A. lives on








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                  Fuel gauge weird -- 850 1997

                  posted by  New2Volvo2 on  Tue Aug 30 10:34 CST 2011
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                  last visit: Mon Aug 4 12:32 CST 2014
                  [RELATED]

                  I took your advice and paid another visit to the boneyard, found yet another 850, disconnected it this time (thanks for the info) plugged it in as I should have done the first time, and it works! Thanks for your assistance, again.







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