Gas gauge not working!

[fastexas]

2003 200 Sundeck. Fuel gauge problem
I did check the gauge by shorting the sender to the ground, and the gauge is OK (swung to full)
I opened up the deck hatch to find the pink sender wire to begin to check that, but there is just a black rubber
block on top of the tank with a thick black rubber coated wire going somewhere. Tried to lightly "pry" it off with my fingers, but stopped as I didn't want to do it wrong.
How do I access the sender wire on my boat? Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Henry Boyd]

Start at the fuel gauge and work backwards. Also check the wiring diagram in your manual to see where the various sub-harnesses plug into each other.

Henry

 

[Bt Doctur]

the sender wires from the gauge connect to the sender at the tank. there are 5 screws you remove first, then remove the sender from the tank.does it look like one of these
http://www.westmarine.com/fuel-tank-sending-units

 

[Lazy Daze]

The black thing you found IS your sending unit. But it's different than what you're used to. You have a Wema brand. Although it looks different, it can be tested in the same way as the kind you're probably used to... but you have to find the connector at the other end of that black, rubber coated wire.

EDIT: Just saw the Doc's link - what you have should look pretty much like the Moeller brand in that link. If you're interested: www.wemausa.com

 

[fastexas]

Yes...the top looks like the Wema unit you linked to.
So I guess I can just remove and test the pink wire where it attaches to the gauge for proper operation.
Are these senders generally prone to failure after 12 years? Meaning might I be well served to just replace the
entire unit? It's not too expensive.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Sure, you could do a pink wire/ground at the gauge end. That would also check all the wiring from gauge to sender, along with grounds. If there's an issue, then go closer to narrow down the problem. As I mentioned above, look for the connector. This type is generally pretty reliable and long lasting - longer than the typical style, anyways. But that's only the "averages". It could last 1 month or 20 years. You could take a chance and just replace it, hoping that's the problem. But I don't like "throwing parts" at an issue. I like to know exactly what the problem is before replacing something. In this case, it's very easy to test and diagnose.