1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

Newbie boater here and just went through our first summer holiday. We started the weekend and the fuel gauge seemed to be working. We took it to the marina to get filled up. They filled it all the way and when we started the engine back the fuel gauge showed on empty. It never changed the rest of that day. Needle did not seem to move. The next day we started engine and the needle moved to full. We were so excited and then all of a sudden it dropped back to empty. The rest of that trip the needle would move but mainly stayed on empty but I know we have a full tank of gas. Any thoughts on what caused this and how to fix it? Please keep in mind we know nothing about boats however my husband is very mechanical over all just not on boats yet.

Re: 1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

Likely a short or bad connection at the fuel sender unit located in the floor just in front of the engine.

Re: 1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

Is this hard to locate and repair? We are hesitant about having to actually get in the fuel tank. Any details on fixing this would be great. I hate to pay for a mechanic if not necessary.

Re: 1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

Not really difficult at all. The fuel sender connection sits just below a small flap in the floor just in front of the engine. You are not going to do anything inside the fuel tank, just to the connections that are mounted on top of it.

Re: 1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

You will be specially looking for a loose or broken connection to either the wire going to the center bolt on the fuel sender or to the ground wire which is typically attached to one of the bolts on the flange. I say loose or broken wires as your symptoms, showing empty when actually full indicate as such. You should also check that there is no corrosion on these two connections. An open circuit manifests as an empty indication while a short circuit of these two wires manifests as a full indication.

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Re: 1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

This sounds encouraging it is nothing big. Since we are so new to this if you have a way to send a pic to what we need to be looking for when trying to find the sending unit that would be so helpful. My husband is very mechanical but I think the boat has him a little hesitant since it is all so new to us.

Re: 1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

Here are a couple of generic photos of a fuel sender unit. Steve has it right regarding what you should be looking for. It's not difficult but if it makes you feel safer, then disconnect the battery terminals before you work on the sender unit.

Re: 1998 242 Shabah -Fuel gauge
 

We will give it a try. Thank you all for your help. I am so thankful for this group and the support everyone gives