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MG MGA - Gas guage problem

Hi folks. My friend just finished a frame up restoration of an MGA 1600. The car runs beautifully, and everything works great, except for the fuel guage. The guage seems to work normally until the headlights or wipers are turned on. Then the gas guage needle moves to empty and stays there, until the headlights or wipers are turned off. Then the gas guage reads normally again. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening, or how to cure the problem? PS, the wiring harness, and fuel sender unit are new. Thanks! Glenn
Glenn

Glenn,
My guess would be a poor ground connection for the gauge. Since the ground connection for the gauge is common with the grounds for the wipers and instrument lights, when either is turned on it could cause the gauge to read empty if the ground connection is marginal. New paint on the instrument panel can make it hard to get a good ground connection. Try running a temporary ground wire from the gauge to a good chassis connection and see if it changes.

Jeff
Jeff Schultz

I agree with Jeff. Mine ocassionally behaves a bit oddly, and the cure is always to fiddle with the grounding at the back of the gauge and tighten it up. The gauges are so simple that they either work if connected correctly, or they gat fried.
dominic clancy

My do it all friend has very dodgy wiring
The fuel gauge reading is most mystifying
On its own the pointer reads just right
But with lights on it disappears from sight
So ensure all earths are connected to ground
And check the wires are the right way round!

(Threatening to rain here! - time on my hands)

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve. Amputation of both hands would cure your problem of time on your hands, and would (mercifully) prevent further poem writing activities at the same time! lol. Love your poem. I will have to show it to my friend Terry(with the twitchy gas guage). Thanks everyone for the useful info. I will try fooling with the fuel guage ground as suggested. Cheers! GLenn
Glenn

This thread was discussed between 25/06/2005 and 26/06/2005

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