Fuel gauge not reading properly?

Tiny
BONESMIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 1982 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,001 MILES
Replaced the fuel tank sending unit, checked all fuses, replaced the cluster, and the fuel gauge still not reading right. Would this car carry an instrument cluster regulator if so, where is it?
Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 AT 1:01 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
This gauge system is simple, there is just the sender and the gauge so it must be wiring or a connection. here is a guide to help also I have found the wiring diagrams for you in the images below plus I have included a guide to help you check the wiring as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

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Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 AT 7:50 AM
Tiny
BONESMIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Ken, I know I have become a royal pain, but I am trying. On the wiring diagram it shows a pink wire going to the sending unit black wire to ground and another wire looks as if it goes to printed circuit am I to understand I should have 2 hot wires and 1 ground?
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Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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There is one sensor wire (pink) and one ground only, the two you see in the diagram are one for diesel and the other gasoline. No worries we can get this fixed for you.
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Monday, September 5th, 2022 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
BONESMIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Thank you, Ken, but I am a little brain fog what I was wanting to know on the instrument cluster the gauge itself has 3 connector one pink to the sending unit one to ground on the other one is it a hot wire or ground wire. That is where I am having the problem. I don't want to act like I am a dummy, but I am going through a few problems with having surgery on my heart and want to fix this before I do that. Thank you for helping, Mike
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Tuesday, September 6th, 2022 AT 3:00 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 42,895 POSTS
No worries my friend, you got it right, one sensor, one power and one ground. The pink and black is power.

Here is a guide on how to use a test light which can confirm power and ground:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, September 6th, 2022 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
BONESMIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
  • 1982 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,001 MILES
I have asked for help and received it so thank you. I am at a standstill so question the fuel gauge in cluster has 3 studs one is pink goes to the sending unit, one is on the left looking straight at it, and one on the right. As I to say pink hot key on one of the studs is ground one is to fuse. Also, I was told I had a fuel gauge regulator. I cannot find one on this 1982 Olds diesel, it does not have a big cluster like most to get to the three female connectors I will have to pull the instrument pad on top.
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 AT 8:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
The gauge should have two lugs with one ground. Pink goes to the sender, pink and black goes to power.
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 AT 8:57 AM

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