Correct by saying these functions are semi separate. My original gauge worked good, but the reserve light did not at all. Than I installed a new sending unit. Here the reserve light works, but the gauge is way off. Don't know why at this point (maybe it doesn't have that 4.7 ohm resistor in parallel like the old one has). I tinkered with the old sender that was coated with algae and found a way to clean it without braking the fine resistor wires. I plan on re-installing it and see what's up with the new one. Here is how it works: The float has two contacts on opposite ends of its circumference that slide up and down two resistor wires, making the combined length of the wire greater as it descends, thus increasing resistance in the gauge circuit. The reserve functions due to a brass disk at the bottom of the float that bridges two fixed contacts at the empty position, completing a separate circuit for the light. The reserve light has a second circuit that illuminates the lamp at a lower intensity when turning on the key and gets cancelled on start (self test). The system works only properly if these contacts and the wires are clean.
On 1/21/06, Tim C <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Huh, this appears to be saying that the reserve light and fuel gauge are > independent of each other? -- Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX '82 300SD, '95 E300D
