Gas Gauge Problem

Hi All
I have a 65 all original cj5 . The factory temp gauge has never worked and I decided to replace the temp and fuel gauge with the factory look aftermarket units from rugged ridge. I never could get the temp gauge to work. It just twitched. The aftermarket fuel gauge never worked either. I decided to put it all back as it was before now my original gas gauge doesn't work. Everything -wires etc- were put back correctly. Will a fuel gauge just go out? I assume there isn't a fuse box in a 65 jeep? or fusable linker the gas gauge? I left the aftermarket temp gauge in place. Is it compatible with the factory unit? I just want my fuel gauge back.
thx

 

Awesome! That helps a lot. I'm thinking ground @ gauge the problem.

 

quick question. If gas gauge smoked does that automatically mean its bad? or burned up?

 

Yep. As a rule.

 

Once the magic smoke is released, all the magic is gone.

 

ok new angle on this, my gauge says empty when I still have about 1/3 of a tank. can I just bend the float arm to adjust? fyi never makes it to "full" even with a full tank.

 

First check I would do, get a piece of wire and run it from the negative on the battery to the cluster housing and see if things work. You can clamp one end of the wire to the battery and then put it on what every you are testing. If things work you have a grounding issue.

 

So the fuel gauge is working but wrong calibration. Before going to the calibration procedure a Howard points out I would reset the control arm angle on the float rod first. The tank if under-seat original type, it should be about 6" top to bottom. Measure the depth and bend float arm at the "V" point to match full drop of the float. If you do this then the gauge will read E when empty and will automatically be correct for full. I would do this first as it is simple and quick.

 

thanks