Fuel guage problem on 2440 Deere.

Last week, as we were finishing up planting a cornfield, the fuel guage on my 2440 started doing strange things. At higher RPM's or higher ground speeds, (on the road) the fuel guage started flipping back and forth between full and empty. (with tank ALMOST full)Yesterday, I had to do some bush hogging. I filled the tank with diesel fuel. (I didn't pay any attention to the guage BEFORE starting to mow) It was pinned to "Empty". Shut off the tractor, and it goes to full. Start back up, and "Empty" again. (With tank still full)

Obviously, a problem....

OK.. How do I go about checking (1) the sending unit? (2) the guage? Is the fuel guage "fuse protected" in any way?

I'll check the wiring between the sending unit and guage when I get home today. I already have the owners manual, shop manual, and parts manual, just haven't had a chance to look yet. I just though someone could tell me where (and HOW) to check for a specific problem.

Thanks in advance,
John

Answered you on the green board.

Mark

Betcha I've thrown away a hundred of those sending units off various outfits because I was always told that they just cannot be repaired.

When my 9's gauge promptly quit working after I filled the old sow, I figured I had nothing to loose anyway. Took a tiny lock pick, reached in and bent that "S" on the wiper arm just a touch to give it a little more tension.

The goofy thing works perfectly now. :>)

Allan

Glad you got your relics and your head in order and are back as a member of the human race....per your own comments this am.

I have done that too; and have tried and failed too.

Best,

Mark

Those fuel gauges troubles are 'almost always' within the sender. The wiper arm has lost contact with the litte resistive spring.

You already know the gauge works because it is going from one extreme to the other; likewise, you know it is not a fuse because you do have deflection when you key it.

Problem could be caused by an intermitent short or open in the send wire or in the sender ground circuit, but chances are the tractor just needs a fuel sender because here again, if it was an intermitent problem, the gauge would show a "correct" reading at least some of the time.

To test the gauge, pull the send wire off the sender. The gauge should deflect one way or another with the key on. Ground that same send wire and the gauge should then fully deflect the other way.

Allan