Fuel gauge HELP!!!

[madster]

Hello,

I’ve been trying to get the fuel gauge on my 1973 VW thing working. Today I changed the fuel sending unit making sure to ground it with a washer instead of the plastic washers. When I check the sending unit with a multimeter I get a good reading. I connected the wire that leads to the fuel gauge turned on the vehicle and noticed that the fuel gauge still read empty. I unscrewed the gauge panel that holds the speedometer, and as soon as I took, the second screw out, the fuel gauge started working. When I put the screw back in the fuel gauge stopped working. When I checked the fuel sending unit with the multimeter again, it gave a good reading, but when the wire was connected to the sending unit, the reading on the multimeter went away.

So right now as long as I leave the gauge panel loose, I can get a reading on my fuel, but if I try to secure the panel, it grounds out and gives me no reading again.

Where should I start trying to fix this ground issue?

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1966 BEETLE @ 1973 THING

[Semper_Dad]

Are the wires connected to the back of the vibrator grounding out when you secure the panel? Specifically the one connected to the fuel sender. The vibrator is usually mounted upside down on a 181 due to clearance issues. Perhaps adding an insulating sleeve may help. Certainly wouldn't hurt.

BTW, interesting relocation of your brake warning light. I kept mine in the original location when I modified for gauges but I prefer your option.

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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492

[madster]