Series III Fuel Guage

[tellam]

Hello

I have just acquired a 1973 Series III. The Fuel guage does not work and the temperature guage barely registers. I removed the wire from the sanding unit at the fuel tank and grounding the connection did not move the fuel guage to full.

That suggests to me the problem is either in the wiring or with the voltage stabilizer (as the temp guage barely works). I understand the stabilizer only feeds the fuel and temp gauges?. I am only seeing about 2v on the wire attached to the sender so I am thinking is it likely the stabilizer or a ground issue. Any thoughts?

Can the instrument panel be lifted out enough to gain access to the stabilizer if I remove the speedo cable? Does it just unscrew from the back of the Speedo?

Thank you

Tim (Cedar, BC)

[island dormy]

Hi Tellam

Here is a link on British car voltage stabilizers, yes you very well could have a bad one as they are supposed to put out a constant 10 volts instead of the wildly fluctuating voltage normally found on British cars with generators which ranged from 11 volts to 15.5 volts.

I might have a brand new one, negative earth style, I am down in Duncan, or you can order them from many different shops. (We are coming up that way on Sept. 2nd for the light house fall fair.) Also maybe on this coming Monday Aug 28 we are coming up that way for a Costco run I could drop it off if I actually have it (I have to go down in the crawl space and check.)

Sorry I have 2 series 2a Dormobiles so am unfamiliar with how a series 3 dash comes out. but I think there was a plastic clip to unhook the cable from the speedometer instead of a screw on fitting. Might as well pull the cable all the way out and regrease it when you reinstall it.

https://www.minimania.com/Voltage_Stabilizer

Victor

[tellam]

Thank you Victor.

I have anew stabilizer which I will install next week when I am out. Thank you for the offer!

OK on the tip with the plastic clip on the speedo cable. I will remove the dash and try running a new ground to see if that is the culprit. If not I will try the new stabilizer. Given the voltage I am seeing at the sending unit I believe that should be the issue.

Thanks again.

Tim

[tellam]

Any tricks to removing the speedo cable? I have the dah out, but need to remove the cable so I can access and replace the stabilizer. I cannot seem to shift it. It has the plastic clip on the end. Does it just pull off?

Thanks

Tim

[cbalme]

I am pretty sure it needs squeezed and wiggled off. At least that's how it works for my early 110

[tellam]

Thanks all for the replies. Got the speedo cable off (what a hassle to reconnect). Replaced the stabilizer and still no luck. But, shorting the sending wire at the sender did at least give the gauge some life. Went to about half scale instead of full. That suggests it is the sending unit although given the gauge did not fully deflect I suspect it may be the issue.

Tim