4 replies to this topic

[M0dfather68]

Hello everybody,

                          I have recently purchased a 1972 mini 1000,But the fuel Gauge doesn't seem to be Working.I've tried connecting the 2 wires from the sender unit together to see if the gauge will move but no joy,Has anyone got any advice what else i can try,Is there a separate fuse for the fuel gauge?Are the amber bulbs on the Speedo also linked because they don't light up at any time even when starting the car,The green indicator bulb,Blue high beam and red ignition bulbs work fine,but the yellow bulbs don't do anything although i'm not sure if they're just for show.Any advice will be really appreciated,Is it possible to get a replacement fuel gauge if the problem cant be fixed or do i need to change the complete unit speedo and fuel gauge..

                                             Thanks Mike

[dklawson]

You have asked several questions.  Let me know if I fail to address one.

 

The amber jewels on the speedo may or may not be used.  When used at all they were for the low oil pressure warning lamp and the oil filter high-differential-pressure warning lamp.  Not all cars used them.  If you have an oil pressure gauge the low oil pressure lamp may not be wired at all.  Only a few early cars had the oil filter warning lamp.

 

Does your car have a Smiths temperature gauge?  If so, is it mechanical or electric?  If electric, is it working "normally"?  If you have a Smiths electric temperature gauge that is behaving normally, that says the 10V supply to the electric gauges should be OK.  Confirm this by looking at the back of the fuel gauge and insuring that one spade terminal has a solid green wire on it and the other has a green/black wire on it.  The solid green wire should be connected to the "I" terminal on the voltage stabilizer and the green/black wire goes to the fuel sending unit.

 

The test you made for the fuel gauge is a good starting point.  Expand it a little as follows.  You tested the circuit by holding the black and green/black sending unit wires together with the ignition on and did not observe fuel gauge needle movement.  Repeat the test using a jumper wire from the terminal on the green/black wire directly to battery (-) in the boot.  If the gauge moves now, replace the black wire.  If it doesn't, move your test to the front of the car.

 

At the front of the car, access the back of the gauge cluster.  Find where the green/black wire connects to the fuel gauge.  Leave the wires on the fuel gauge.  With the ignition on, use a jumper wire between the gauge terminal with the green/black wire and an earthing point.  If the gauge moves now, the problem would appear to be a break in the green/black wire between the front and rear of the car.

 

Lastly, use a small 12V bulb as a test lamp.  Connect your test lamp between the solid green wire on the fuel gauge and earth.  With the ignition on, the lamp should be on or flickering on and off.  If the lamp is off all the time, look for a problem in the solid green wire between the voltage stabilizer and the fuel gauge.

[M0dfather68]

Thanks Doug,

                      Really appreciate it,With you taking time to answer all the problems i listed.I'm hoping to give it a try to see if it resolves the problem 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Cheers Mike

[minijoe]

and thanks from me doug I have the same prob although  test   light lights up when  live is put to earth   .the temp gauge just moves very slightly .

[M0dfather68]

Hello minijoe,

                     Let me know if you manage to resolve your issue,It going to be next wk before i can get chance to have a proper look,The mini its self hasn''t done many miles and been locked up for yrs but ive got some wires that have been cut and rejoined round the fuel tank so might take it out when i get chance and try everything Doug said,