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Thread: Newbie- and a question

  1. 05-02-2006, 08:42 PM #1
    BikeNStitches
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    Newbie- and a question

    Hi all - I just found this site referenced on the *ahoo Legacy owners group, after I posted the same there. There seems to be a greater amount of positive energy here, so I joined the group.

    Anyway, I just took ownership of a 95 Legacy LS with 87k miles. It's really in mint condition, but the fuel gauge and temp gauge are inop. I bought the Haynes book, but the wiring diagram is poor, IMHO. I pulled the gauge panel and verified that both the gauges work using 12v. I also tested the fuel sending units with an ohm meter, but didn't remove them from the tank. The fuses appear good. Any ideas from the collective?

    Thanks in advance :-D ,

    Tom
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  2. 05-02-2006, 09:28 PM #2
    Superu264
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    my temp gauge isn't working either, every so often it'll work for maybe 5 seconds then fall of again

    I also have the Haynes book, its definitely crap

    so basically I dont have any answers, only ther same problem
    Rick
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  3. 05-02-2006, 09:51 PM #3
    Wiscon_Mark
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    did you verify that the contacts were all clean on the plugs that go into the guage cluster?
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  4. 05-03-2006, 08:25 PM #4
    BikeNStitches
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    yea - everything looks clean and untouched. The gauge lights all work as do the idiot lights. I'm wondering if there's a common power feed for both gauges, but the diagram is nfg. I was going to try and ground the temp sender lead wire to see if the temp gauge jumps, but not sure which sensor it is.

    The SO filled the gas tank today and she said it read half full. I wonder if one of the sender floats are sunk.
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  5. 05-03-2006, 09:10 PM #5
    losdiosdeverde86
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    Quote Originally Posted by BikeNStitches
    yea - everything looks clean and untouched. The gauge lights all work as do the idiot lights. I'm wondering if there's a common power feed for both gauges, but the diagram is nfg. I was going to try and ground the temp sender lead wire to see if the temp gauge jumps, but not sure which sensor it is.

    The SO filled the gas tank today and she said it read half full. I wonder if one of the sender floats are sunk.
    i know you're gonna get the "desertheatracing Someone replied" email and think OH GOODIE, SOMEONE KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG!


    sorry to dissapoint. interesting theory on the sunk floater though.


    yes, this is a great board with good guys (and girl(jess)). hope you hang out after your problem gets fixed.
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  6. 05-03-2006, 10:28 PM #6
    Wiscon_Mark
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    well, I'll add something:

    The floater guess could be right, subarus have been known to have issues, although not so much on the 90s and newer models.

    The senders are something to consider, those have been reported as bad by several members (according to my crainial archives).
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  7. 05-03-2006, 11:20 PM #7
    losdiosdeverde86
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wiscon_Mark
    well, I'll add something:

    The floater guess could be right, subarus have been known to have issues, although not so much on the 90s and newer models.

    The senders are something to consider, those have been reported as bad by several members (according to my crainial archives).
    would a bad floater cause off-readings past 1/2 tank?
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  8. 05-04-2006, 08:45 PM #8
    ivwarrior
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    The fuel gauge issue is likely the senders. A few years ago when I worked at a Subaru dealership, I replaced quite a few of them. Unfortunately, since the fuel tank straddles the drive shaft, they put senders in each side. We always replaced both. Fortunately, there's access panels, so it's not a terribly difficult job.
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  9. 05-04-2006, 09:38 PM #9
    BikeNStitches
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    Thanks for the insight on the fuel senders. Gotta stop at the dealer and see what they get for them...

    I think I narrowed down the temp gauge issue to the sender. I grounded the wire and the gauge pegged out. Those are usually cheap, but gotta drain the system to do it..

    Thanks

    Tom
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  10. 05-05-2006, 08:17 AM #10
    losdiosdeverde86
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    Quote Originally Posted by ivwarrior
    The fuel gauge issue is likely the senders. A few years ago when I worked at a Subaru dealership, I replaced quite a few of them. Unfortunately, since the fuel tank straddles the drive shaft, they put senders in each side. We always replaced both. Fortunately, there's access panels, so it's not a terribly difficult job.

    hmm.. so one one of the senders is bad that would make sense as to why the guage doesn't read right past 1/2 tank....


    once the fuel gets below that hump then it'll read about 1/2 of what's actually in the tank....right?
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  11. 05-06-2006, 07:10 AM #11
    BikeNStitches
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    I don't know if the senders work in series or what. Yesterday I ordered from the dealer the two fuel sending units at $70ea., the temperature sending unit at $32, and a lexan bug deflector for the hood at $60.

    I also installed a pair of Fiamm horns that I got at a swap meet. I put them behind the grill in front of the radiator.
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  12. 05-06-2006, 07:14 AM #12
    BikeNStitches
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    The Haynes book wiring diagram sux so I don't know too much about how it's wired, and I didn't 'ring out' everything in the system. I asked the parts guy about the Subaru manual and he said that manual isn't any better for the wiring diagram.
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  13. 05-10-2006, 08:32 PM #13
    BikeNStitches
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    I got the sending units for the fuel tank and installed them. The sending unit for the fuel pump side had two extra black wires that were tinned, but I just left them hanging inside the tank. The gauge works now!
    The sender for the temp gauge came in wrong- sent that sucka back.
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  14. 05-11-2006, 08:57 AM #14
    shazapple
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    woot! halfway there
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  15. 05-14-2006, 07:39 AM #15
    BikeNStitches
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    Got the right sender, teflon taped it, and did a quick swap. Only lost about a tablespoon of coolant. Good to go!

    gotta take some pics to post.
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  16. 07-10-2006, 12:50 AM #16
    PetterFan
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    Quote Originally Posted by losdiosdeverde86
    Quote Originally Posted by ivwarrior
    The fuel gauge issue is likely the senders. A few years ago when I worked at a Subaru dealership, I replaced quite a few of them. Unfortunately, since the fuel tank straddles the drive shaft, they put senders in each side. We always replaced both. Fortunately, there's access panels, so it's not a terribly difficult job.

    hmm.. so one one of the senders is bad that would make sense as to why the guage doesn't read right past 1/2 tank....


    once the fuel gets below that hump then it'll read about 1/2 of what's actually in the tank....right?
    I have this exact problem with my fuel guage and this has been my theory all along...
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