Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

The gauge does not work. It bounces on and off but doesn't register a level. My question is, how do I test the sending unit? Would a simple test light or volt meter do the trick? There is a positive and negative on the top of the sending unit. Should it have power when the boat ignition key is on?
More importantly, where do I get a replacement from? The boat did sit for almost a year before it was used again, so could the unit be gummed up inside? Is it a mechanical float/slide type or what?
It is so hot where I live I don't have the desire to get out there and guess and what not without some knowledge or possibly replacement parts on hand.
Any advice appreciated.

Hello.
It is my experience that most pontoon boat fuel gauges "bounce" around... They are (at least mine is...) floats on a long arm attached to a resistance sending unit. When we are underway, the fuel in the tank sloshes and moves around quite a bit hence the needle bounce. I tend to check the gauge while docked (obviously...) and go from there. The gauge does not read as accurate as a car gauge does... I tend to look at it more as an "estimation" of how much fuel I have rather than an exact amount... When "flat empty" is included in the bouncing of the needle, I "know" I need to get some more fuel rather quickly... I hope this helps you out and I am sure more people will answer here too. Safe boating...

Sincerely,
Rich

The first thing to do is a "wiggle test". Have someone in the cockpit watching the gauge and start wiggling the wires. If it comes to life then its a loose connection. Then, check your ground. You can check for continuity at the back of the gauge. If you have a multi tester, it will show you the gauge sweep, by sloshing the gas in the tank by rocking the boat around on the trailer. And yes, you can check for the same at the sending unit. I would call Premier, too. It may be under a warranty yet. Mine had a transferable 5 year, stern to bow warranty on it when I bought it.
Let us know what you find out...

Bryden24shp wrote: It may be under a warranty yet. Mine had a transferable 5 year, stern to bow warranty on it when I bought it.
Let us know what you find out...

Not sure if you had a special warranty . I recently inquired about whether our tach was under warranty. Boat is only a year old but we are the second owner. We were quotes no and given this paragraph...

Transferability - the wooden deck, Bimini top framework, rotation molded furniture framework and tube and railing weld warranty is transferable within ten (10) years of the original purchase date of the boat. Once transferred, coverage extends for a maximum of ten (10) years from date of original purchase. Completion of transfer form is required within 15 day of purchase through an authorized Premier Marine dealer.

just FYI for anyone relying on the transferability of Premier's warranty.

I fully get the replies posted. Not my case. Full tank. Gauge bounces full then stays empty. I have wiggled wires, I have disconnected and reconnected the gauge wires. No corrosion, no signs it is electrical connections.
The unit parked on the trailer reads empty. Under way it bounces.
I'm more wondering if the signs are pointing to a faulty sending unit. Easy to fix it seems. So where do I buy?

[quote="jediger"

Not sure if you had a special warranty.[/quote]

Not that I'm aware of. Maybe it was a year thing. The owner of Arctic Cat bought it brand new in 2008 and had all the warranty transfer papers ready for me when I bought it from him. I do know the Menne family, but never talked to them about the warranty stuff. It all went through the parts department. They sent me a new seat pedestal, side emblem and a rocker switch under warranty last summer, with no questions asked. They warranted the parts through 54 Marine in Osage Beach and sent them to my house in Iowa.
You got me!