2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel gauge reading, truck not on

[LSonnenberg]

Seems strange, but I just replaced the fuel gauge sending unit (because it hadn't worked in 2 years), but now I get a fuel gauge reading even when the key isn't in the ignition. Basically it reads all of the time.



That's not normal, right? Thought I would ask before I went chasing wires. I did a search on here, but didn't find anything close.



Anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance.



Lee



Note: The truck is a 94, 2500, CTD, 4x4.

 

[REFLOYD]

it is not supposed to be reading when the ingnition is off.

 

[Joe G.]

That's wrong. It will stay where it was on the gauge when the key is off.

 

[LSonnenberg]

Thanks for the replies. I will leave the gauge alone (at least until it starts to kill the battery).

 

[Joe G.]

It's not drawing eletricity. It just doesn't have a spring to pull the needle down when the key is off.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Must be different on the older ones cause my '98 comes down when the key is off.

 

[rono]

My '01 and my son's '02 come down when the key is off.

Ron

 

[WMorgan]

I seem to remember (it's been a number of years) that on my old '94 gasser that the fuel guage stayed put at last reading before the ignition was off.

 

[Joe G.]

Anything electrical, especially comparing different generations, may be different. He has a '94. I have a '95. Those trucks are almost identical as far as the electrical stuff is concerned. I think there were quite a few changes in later years, especially when the dash board was changed in '98. One check to make to insure that the gauge is not "on" is to observe what it does during fueling when the key is off. It should not move to show the fuel level change until the key is turned on. That is the way the gauge works on my '95.

 

[LSonnenberg]

Thanks everybody. I think Joe G. is absolutely correct, it doesn't move when filling until the key is turned on. No spring... another mystery solved.



thanks.



Lee