Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Gas gauge stays on empty. How do I determine if it is the gauge itself or the sender unit on the tank? Maybe wiring in between? It quit about a year ago and then started working again for a couple of outings. Has now quit again Does not move off the empty mark even when filled. Thanks, Tommy

Look near the rear of trunk or just under the exit hole in front of the rear bumper where wires for gas sender and license light exit at the rear of the trunk for an orange wire with an inline splice connector. Disconnect the short wire going to the sender and while someone looks at the gas gauge ground the orange wire just long enough to see if the gauge needle starts immediately going up toward full. If it does, the gauge and wire to the sender are OK and the most likely problem is in the sender.

If gauge does not change when wire is grounded then move to under the dash and repeat the test using a clip lead to ground the terminal on the gas gauge where the orange wire connects. If gauge moves the wire is bad. If no movement and the temp gauge is working OK then the gas gauge unit is bad. If both temp and gas gauge are not working the instrument voltage regulator is suspect.

There is also a factory test you can do if you have a spare gas sender but since that is unlikely the ground test is quick and dirty. The factory test is detailed starting on page 44 of the service counselor. It is shown being done on an earlier car but since the gauges work the same and use the same sender the test is valid for a 55-6 model too.