Fuel Gauge Accuracy

tokarev · Post by **tokarev** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:05 am

My 712 has what amounts to a 5 gallon reserve - Fill the tank and the gauge says full. Drive it down to a solid empty on the gauge and it takes 13-14 gallons to fill up. It has a new gauge (VDO) does this sound like a sending unit problem?

william curry · Post by **william curry** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:10 am

My M-12 has the original fuel gage.

I discovered early on that the automatic fuel pump shut off nozzles at the gas stations activated way to soon.

After the pump shuts off I can nurse another 4 gallons into the tank.

When my gage points to the R mark, I can put in very close to 15 gallons.

By the way I own a Tokarev, and a M-2 HB. The Tokarev is easier to carry around.

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:41 am

There is nothing wrong with the guage, the sending unit does not go to the bottom of the tank by design. Therefore when the guage hits reserve, you have about 5 gallons or 20 liters of fuel left.

EuroPinz · Post by **EuroPinz** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:52 am

By the way guys, the fuel gauge comes with a light bulb (indicating fuel low) allready installed in the back of the gauge - except that the Manufacturer never ran a wire to it. Once properly wired it will light up when the fuel gets low!

Foz · Post by **Foz** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:00 am

I damand pics and a wiring diagram!

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:07 am

Hi Guys,
Jim, yeah a bit of a wiring "tutorial" for the fuel gauge would be sweet!

tokarev · Post by **tokarev** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:10 pm

Thanks for the info - just wanted to make sure there wasnt a problem.
The Tokarev pistol is one of my favorites - small and packs a punch. Anything .50 BMG kicks ass - period.

EuroPinz · Post by **EuroPinz** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:53 am

OK guys this is how you do it.
Unfortunately there is no wiring diagram but it is easy to do.
The fuel sending unit is a standard VDO unit and it has allready on it a small connector (low fuel warning) to hook your wire to it.

Step (1): Locate a 24 Volt source that gets power when you turn on the ignition switch.

Step (2): Run a wire from that power source to a fuse and then to the outmost right light on your dashboard (for the 710 M). This light is normally not being used, hence use it as a low fuel warning light. There should allready be a working light bulb in it.

Step (3): Then you continue the wiring from that light to the VDO fuel sending unit. It has allready a connector for the warning contact.

ll you need is a few yards of wire, wire protection and one morning to do a perfect job.

Have fun - and now you can drive relax