"New" 1980 owner with a question

[RedLdr1]

All,

I just picked up a 1980 with 23K miles. So far I have not found any major problems but do have one odd issue I am hoping someone can help answer. The fuel guage needle constantly "bounces" with about a quarter tank swing. The guage is accurate, as far as the overall fuel level, but constantantly moves. All of the other guages are just fine. Is the fuel guage internally dampened? Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[cmegga]

Most likely a bad ground connection on that perticualr guage. i had a simular problem on my volt guage not too long ago.

 

[Fishman]

Congrats on the purchase! Nice ride Wayne.

I have a similiar issue on my '78. When the tank is full, the needle stays at full. When the tank gets between 3/4 and full, I get the same 1/4 tank needle bounce you have. Took the car in for something else and we checked out the gauge... it appears I have a bad sensor in the tank, supposed to be fairly common in C3's. Problem is that it is a real pain to replace the sensor and fairly expensive for the part.

I'm just going to let mine bounce for a while until I need to pull the tank for some other reasons. Anytime I give someone a ride, I just make sure the tank is full... then I do not have to explain the bounce.

 

[RedLdr1]

Guys,

Thanks for the info. I'll check out all the grounds when my wiring diagrams show up. I'll be in the dash area anyway as I need to pull the original radio and get it repaired... Right now I only have the FM out of the AM / FM / 8-track working. Maybe it's time to upgrade to something high tech like a cassette anyway...
Dropping the tank is more than I am willing to do for this right now. Although mine even bounces with the tank filled to the brim! That is why I did not think it was the sender...