Jeep Electrical for Dummies!
jzak
Old Time Jeeper
- Posts
- 1,117
- Media
- 9
- Thanks
- 47
- Location
- Pittsboro, NC
- Vehicle(s)
- 1981 CJ5/258 4.2L I6, Tremec T-176 4-speed, Dana 300, Power Steering, Howell Throttle Body Injection System, Warn Locking Hubs, Warn Rock Crawler front/rear bumper with Tire Swing Carrier, Full Roll Cage, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks
So I need somebody to walk me through this like you were talking to a 8 year old. How do you test a Fuel Gauge and Sending Unit on a CJ5 ? My fuel gauge was working fine and then it just stopped for no reason. I didn't change or add anything to my CJ. Just one day it was working, and the next morning it wasn't. I thought maybe some kids had syphoned the gas during the night, but it turned out I had a full tank.
I've spent hours online researching websites discussing this issue, and all of them assume that your day job is working as a Electrician. They start going into terms like Ohms, Resistance, Amps, and they might as well be speaking Mandarin. When I downloaded a CJ5 wiring diagram, I thought my head was going to explode. I bought a voltmeter, but I have no idea which of the 20 "Hieroglyphics" on the dial I should set it to. The farthest i've gotten is using the voltmeter to confirm that the powerwire on the fuel gauge is working, but the fuel sending wire showed no power, but again i have no idea if i set the voltmeter to the correct setting. I checked all the fuses, and they're good.
In desperation to find a quick fix, i bought a new guage. After I installed it, it didn't move, and now the gauge makes this crackling sound like there's a mouse behind the dash. I know its the fuel gauge, because the sound stops when i disconnect the power wire.
When it comes to CJ mechanical stuff i'm fine, but with the exception of switching out a light bulb or hooking up a car stereo, I am completely lost with the Jeep electrical system. So if someone could give me a layman's step-by-step explanation on what I need to do to get me out of this hole, i'll mail you a case of beer, but don't tell me to get a degree in Electrical Engineering!
I've spent hours online researching websites discussing this issue, and all of them assume that your day job is working as a Electrician. They start going into terms like Ohms, Resistance, Amps, and they might as well be speaking Mandarin. When I downloaded a CJ5 wiring diagram, I thought my head was going to explode. I bought a voltmeter, but I have no idea which of the 20 "Hieroglyphics" on the dial I should set it to. The farthest i've gotten is using the voltmeter to confirm that the powerwire on the fuel gauge is working, but the fuel sending wire showed no power, but again i have no idea if i set the voltmeter to the correct setting. I checked all the fuses, and they're good.
In desperation to find a quick fix, i bought a new guage. After I installed it, it didn't move, and now the gauge makes this crackling sound like there's a mouse behind the dash. I know its the fuel gauge, because the sound stops when i disconnect the power wire.
When it comes to CJ mechanical stuff i'm fine, but with the exception of switching out a light bulb or hooking up a car stereo, I am completely lost with the Jeep electrical system. So if someone could give me a layman's step-by-step explanation on what I need to do to get me out of this hole, i'll mail you a case of beer, but don't tell me to get a degree in Electrical Engineering!
Last edited:
