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riccbhard
Apprentice
USA
79 Posts |
 Posted - May 06 2004 : 9:53:31 PM
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My aunt owns a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. The fuel gauge still reads when the Ignition is in the "Off" position. I was wondering it there is a way to re-wire the fuel gauge so it only reads when the ignition is in the "On" or "Acc." position.
Thanks!
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BEatonNo1
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1133 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2004 : 10:30:04 PM
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I think that all do, or at least all that I have come across. My guess on how it works is that there is a motor that is linked with gears to the needle. The motor would then move the needle to match the level in the fuel tank.
If this is the case then you would have to fool the Guage into thinking the tank is empty.
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2004 : 09:16:03 AM
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One question: why? 
But really, I don't think it can easily be done without either replacing the gauge, or reworking the control circuit...Either way, for such a small thing, what's the point?
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ecm
Apprentice
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2004 : 7:12:09 PM
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Why, I have the same idea but never ask for a solution because peopple think its a stupid idea . I will give you my reason . you are out one night feeling a little stupid and decide to steal a car for a joy ride and you get into a car and see the gaz gauge empty your not going to waste time on that one you will go to the next one and guest what its my car and the gauge shows 1/2 tank you will try to get it going.
now like you said it is a little complicated because you would have to reverse polarity i think on the gauge to make it go down to empty and not really sure how to do it whitout burning anything as parts for my car are getting rare and expensive . I have schematic of the gaz gauge if you are interested in giving it a try it would be appreciated .
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Brian
Apprentice
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2004 : 7:24:54 PM
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Most fuel gauges use a bimetallic strip that heats up and changes the position of the needle. All cars with this setup show 'empty' when the engine is off, so even if a thief saw the gas guage, they wouldn't notice anything unusual.
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ecm
Apprentice
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2004 : 7:28:19 PM
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so brian you say by removing the voltage to the gauge it should go down by its self.
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BEatonNo1
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1133 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2004 : 8:27:55 PM
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The guage doesn't draw electricity while the car is off, so if the needle is staying where it is when you turn of your car then it doesnt use a bimetalic strip type fuel guage.
If you have a sensor that uses a POT then try cutting the line between the guage and the sensor wait untill the guage shows empty and then turn off the car.
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ecm
Apprentice
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2004 : 8:30:19 PM
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will give that a try Thank's
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2004 : 10:33:35 AM
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No offense, but as a theft deterant, the idea is pretty weak.  A much easier idea would be a kill switch, but older cars are so easy to steal that even that is only marginal protection.
If you really want to do this, the first place to look would be to get a diagram of the Camaro's gauge, and see if there is a spring or counterbalance that keeps it in position.
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ecm
Apprentice
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2004 : 4:01:57 PM
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no offense taken . if a thief wants your car a pro that is and not the occasional opportunist it will be gone but the occasional thief may think twice before stealling an empty car of course the more a car as deterant system like a kill switch or alarm it will reduce the chance of being stollen . but I understand why he want his gauge to go empty I think.
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Edited by - ecm on May 08 2004 4:02:17 PM |
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BEatonNo1
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1133 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2004 : 6:23:09 PM
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You have to think of it this way though. If someone is going to break into a car there not going to be bright. and there also going to be high on edrenaline (possibly other things too) so there not going to be able to think very well. These people are going to see a car they like break the window, open the door, get in and try to hotwire it.
Also, some cars have fuel guages that show how much gas is left and some don't. If the guage shows empty, then there going to think that its just the type that only works while the car is running. So you should really make it look like there is only a little bit of gas left in the car, but by the time you go through all the trouble to get that effect you might as well been trying to make a car alarm.
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kenmce
Member
35 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2004 : 7:52:48 PM
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quote:
My aunt owns a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. The fuel gauge still reads when the Ignition is in the "Off" position. I was wondering it there is a way to re-wire the fuel gauge so it only reads when the ignition is in the "On" or "Acc." position.
<P>
How hard is it to take out the gauge and get at the back of it? If there are two wires coming out of the back try disconnecting one and see what the gauge does. If it reads empty when disconnected just put a switch on the dash to interupt power to the gauge.
<P>
You could also have a flip down decal that looks like your gauge is on "E". Just flip it up when you go to drive.
<P>
Wouldn't "The Club" be more effective though? Or a car alarm or something to electrify the skin <EG>?
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ecm
Apprentice
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2004 : 10:12:12 AM
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you have good point on the subject wich are all true . 1 removed ground and gauge does go back to empty but you need to keep the key on and interupt the ground to it while it goes down to empty not practical .2 flip decal to easy 3 alarm with electric shock I like it but chances are you will be sued by the crook since stealing a car is a minor offence is got more to gain by suing you for pain and damages . the club is a good invention .
now dont be offended just having fun its sunday and nothing better to do .
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ecm
Apprentice
Canada
89 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2004 : 10:38:40 AM
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here is the schematic for reference .
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riccbhard
Apprentice
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2004 : 4:09:09 PM
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Thanks for you're help, I am deciding what to do.
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Topic |
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Fuel Gauge - Question
