145s fuel gauge very eratic

zzdhalla

My 145 has always had a crappy fuel gauge. Drops to empty after 60 miles. After that you use the odo and carry a spare fuel can. Today i replaced the sender with a nice one from my buggery box. Gauge is still not reacting property. Is there a resistance adjusted somewhere?

Philia_Bear

Checked the wiring at the gauge?

zzdhalla

Not yet. Have done the other end

Philia_Bear

Best thing is to pull the wires off the gauge and put a multimeter on them
Then cycle the level sensor through its full range
You can compare the results to a reading strait from the sender and know if the wiring is good or not

If wiring is good... replace guage

Garth

There's a voltage stabiliser on the back of the dash can cause it too been a long time but believe they reduce the voltage supply for gauges to 5 or 6 volts they're mechanical and can fail

Garth

Just not sure where volvo fit them but normally behind instruments in many cars

Garth

I'm still chasing a tank sender for mine later ones still available but not the boot floor tank ones

egads (she/her)

Stabiliser is mounted on the circuit board of cluster.

Garth

Had a mate made an electronic one those mechanical ones open and close like ignition points and do wear it may not be providing the correct voltage to the gauge at least they are easy to swap and see if the gauge works properly

Garth

That's the one in the 142

Garth

Would be nice if the dash worked. Anyone have an early dash looking for a new home?

deleted_user_160

Source a gt or rallye cluster and I'll refurb it.

zzdhalla

Hadn't thought of the voltage stabilisation. Have a dash cluster which i can fit just to see if it helps. Rather not use it as the milage is wrong.

Garth

The stabiliser just pushes on well on my 68 it does

zzdhalla

Tried several sender units and eventually go something reasonable. Swapped out the voltage regulator too.

zzdhalla

Took the 145s up Mt Wellington today.

Fuel gauge is still acting up but I brought several rebuilt voltage stabilizers down to Tassie. Will fit one on a warmer day.
"She who must be obayed" pinched the car for the return run to Oatlands. Nice to be driven in it for once. I dont think she went under 60-70 (100-110kph) the whole way - had a big grin when we arrived. Currently seems to be getting 25mpg which is quite good.