Fuel gauge issue

[Meps1983]

Morning all
I know I'm not the first to post and won't be the last but I'm stuck with my fuel gauge. Its works intermittently with the ignition on, swinging between 1/4 of a tank and completely empty.
Voltage at the gauge is good (12.4v)
I've "jumped" the ground with the signal wire and the gauge flies up to full so I think the gauge is good.
I've jumped a ground from the battery straight to the sender, and I've jumped the ground and signal back to the gauge with separate wires....and still have the gauge jumping between 1/4 and empty!?
Next I removed the sender to check it was working and that moved the gauge up and down as expected. So what am I missing? Any guidance will be much appreciated. Thanks for reading. Ben

 

[jrudge]

Loose / corroded wire I suspect

 

[billskip]

Float chamber half full with fuel (Not floating correctly)?
Take the sender out and measure the residence as you move the sensor/float?

 

[bluetooth]

How old is it?
I had same with 15yr old water guage and a new sender was needed, and sorted.
Not mentioning diesel ones so as not to tempt fate!

 

[Freebee]

try a new sender its probably going to be cheaper than faffing around with the old one

 

[vas]

if the problem is in the cable, a new sender will not help a lot.
however since you jumpered the lot and effectively bypassed the original cabling. There's not much else to do.
Mind, is the 12.4V constant with engine running and overtime?
I've spend a few good hours sorting out my mate's P45 water tank sender/gauge combo. it was a damaged cable to blame after all (and a sticking sender which was easy to fix/clean with a bit of alcohol

Next I removed the sender to check it was working and that moved the gauge up and down as expected.

so if you just have the sender off, slide the thingie to 3/4full and leave it there, gauge is stable?
can you find the 1/4 spot in that setup and see if the gauge is also stable?

V.

 

[Meps1983]

I shall have another play around with the sender tomorrow. The gauge went up and down smoothly when I had the sender out of the tank. I didn't try to see if it sat at 1/4 of a tank as you (Vas) mentioned.
I'm gonna check the wiring once more too

 

[ChromeDome]

try a new sender its probably going to be cheaper than faffing around with the old one

You may find that a new set comprising sender and gauge is the least expensive and by far easiest solution.