Fuel Tank access on early PT / troubleshooting fuel gauge

[DW SD]

1983 PT - 36

Here's the situation:

Dead fuel gauge. I do have a diesel / gas fuel switch on the dash, though when I flip back and forth, I get no movement or change in the gauge. My genset is diesel, so I don't know if the switch serves any purpose for me and I'd be surprised if I have a gasoline tank on board, as I've seen no fill for it.

The fuel gauge was working until about 500 miles ago. I put the rig in storage for a few weeks and when I picked up, the gauge was DOA. Basically, I turn the ignition key and get no movement at all and it rests on the empty side of E. I have a feeling it may be the gauge or power to the gauge. I would think, the gauge would flicker, or show some slight movement, if it was working and there was simply a bad sender.

Also, I have an intermittent speedo and my tach has a wander to it where occassionally, it seems to float and read high about 500 to 800 rpms. Eventually, it comes back down. I know it is the gauge / sender and not the engine. The speedo seems to work upon startup and dies after a few hours of driving.

So, in troubleshooting.....
0. I was going to check for power at the switch that says gasoline / diesel.

1. bad ground for the gauges - anyone know where the grounds are for the gauges? Are they shared?

2. anyone know where the PT fuel tank access is?

3. how do I get to the back of the gauges? Do I have to take the dash apart?

Thank you all!

Doug

[Clueless]

I had a working fuel gauge, then tried the gas / diesel switch to gas and it pegged to zero. Moved it back to diesel and it stayed pegged. Eventually after deciding I really didn't want to take the dash apart. I poked the gauge hard in the middle with my finger, and it began and continues reading (correctly) again in the diesel position. Never moved the gas/diesel switch again.

Try the percussion adjustment before you tear too much apart.

Hi Doug,

Your fuel tank sender is usually available through the floor in your bus. Somewhere around the kitchen or bathroom. If you have the parquet wood floor look for a tile with screws in it. You may also see a tile that is removable if you have ceramic. I know in most PT40 it is in the kitchen area not sure about the 36 but should not be far.

[sfedeli]

Doug, check along the black baseboard under your sink cabinet in the kitchen. You will normally find a Phillips head screw in the wood baseboard that serves no useful purpose other than to mark the general location of the fuel sender and pickup access plate. It is about 10" out from the baseboard screw in the middle of the floor. As mentioned above, with a parquet floor there's usually a loose tile there.

[DW SD]

Hi Guys,
thank you much for the replies. I have a plank oak floor in the kitchen. It is glued down. But....I plan to replace all of the flooring in the next month or so. That will give me an opportunity to find the access, if it isn't already accessible with some removable flooring.

Sadly, my tapping on the gauge didn't solve the problem.

How do I remove the black switches on the dash?

I thought it would have been easy. I have a small hook with a sharp pick on the end and handle on the other. I had thought I could just grab the underside of the switch flange and pull it out. The gas / diesel switch was very stubborn and wouldn't come out. The force I applied seemed on the cusp of breaking the switch. As I've gotten older, I've gotten better at not breaking things

Doug

[Ernest Ekberg]

Doug, if we are going ahead with your flooring, I can make you an access door in the floor that is vitually invisible

[sfedeli]

Doug- some of the the black rocker switches had a dab of silicone on them to keep them in place. Removing them is more easily done by lifting up the dash panel. If you remove the 4 trim strips that hold the dash in place along the bottom and sides, you can easily reach under there and compress the small plastic fingers that hold the switches down in the panel. You have to be very careful not to damage the luminescent membrane or wire connectors when you pull the switches. Normally, the problem is in the cannon plugs that connect all of the switches to the chassis wiring and not the switches. If you are going to be at Quartzsite this year, I'd be glad to help you remove and troubleshoot the dash. It's just a matter of pulling the steering wheel off and then labeling and removing the cannon plugs. A small dental pick will allow you to re-compress the small fingers in each plug and a little old fashioned "tuner cleaner" like we used "back in the day" helps with conductivity too. If Ernie is going to do your floor, troubleshooting the circuits will be a piece of cake.

Doug,

I thought you might have received the plans for your bus from the PO.If you have them then you can likely pin point the location of the fuel sender.

[Ernest Ekberg]

I know exactly where that baby is~ Dr. Ernie- the shaky hands Dr.

[DW SD]

Shane-
wow - a very kind offer and one I'd take you up on indeed. I do plan to attend Quartzite. I don't have enough vacation to attend the entire week. I was planning to arrive Thursday and leave Sunday. Being my first rally, I intended to bring a ton of questions Actually, seeing / talking to Ernie will likely get many resolved.

Doug