So when I started up the 65, I had the gas gauge hooked up. No fuel in the tank. So when I fired it up, about 10 seconds in, I see a tiny wisp of smoke come up.
Dash top is off, it was coming from the gas gauge. Now when I put the gauge in, I did notice that the little resistance winding board on the back looked a little burned. Like it had gotten hot before. But it had worked before.
No concern, thinking this is normal. When I saw the wisp I turned off. Unplugged the gauge to be safe.
Is this smoke just dirt and oil from handling, or something more ominous?
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Would only get hot enough to create smoke if there is a short somewhere. Did you check for heat in the gauge or wires by touching them carefully?
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
I dont think that you should have had any smoke. In my experience the gauge when the sender is disconnected travels quite a bit past fuel, but will read correctly if the sender is hooked back up.
Even if it was only dirt or oil - if it causes smoke, I think it's too hot. The last thing you want in your finished car is an electrical fire! Even if only for peace of mind you should check it out.
I believe it is working. When I put it in, it read about 1/4 full, when hooked up, it went down to empty, which is right. I have no fuel in the tank yet.
But I will check..
I guess it's a matter of switched power into the gauge, then out to ground at the sender? Why the resistance board? Is that to bring the gauge in line with the empty/full ohms?
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
For anyone who cares, I've decided to just change the better looking resistance board from the crappy looking gauge to my nicer one. They've obviously made this part to be replaced if needed.
Both boards are within 3 ohms of each other, and with the boards in place, both gauges are within 5 ohms of each other.
One theory; Could running with very little fuel in the tank, or a short straight to ground on the way to the sender start to burn up the board over time? Empty tank is zero ohms, so full current through this board. 80-90 when full, so less current? I believe the illustration found on line represents this setup,
I'll try it again with 10 gallons in the tank and see where this goes...
You can see how toasted the resistor and Bakelite looks here,
My thoughts.... If the tank is empty the gauge is grounding out. Depending on the type of float at the end of the gauge in the tank. If it is copper, likely the source for the ground. Just put in 10 litres and then you will see on the gauge where it reads on the gauge. will be a good reference for the future.
Thanks Cliff. Put about 28 liters of Shell in today. Gauge reads just past 1/4 on level ground. Sounds about right for a 20 gallon tank? No signs of heat at the resistor.
I think I'm good.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
