Fuel Gauge Reading Changes Rapidly

[Skidude108]

I just picked up a 2010 L3240HST last night, and got to use it a bit this afternoon. I noticed the fuel gauge acting weird and am wondering if that is normal or if I need to fix something.

I filled the tank up on the way home, so it was full when I started today. Within 10 minutes of running it said half a tank, but would kind of fluctuate between 1/4 and 2/3 until I stopped for a minute. Then it would show full.
After a half hour of running it would actually show totally empty sometimes, and after an hour it even showed the fuel warning on the dash. Then when I stopped and let things settle it shows plenty of fuel again.

Is this normal behavior as fuel sloshes around, or do I need to investigate some kind of problem? It is really annoying to not have a fuel gauge while moving.

 

[DustyRusty]

While I am not familiar with your tractor, I am familiar with this type of problem. It is indicative of a broken float shaft. The only way to know for certain is to wait till the tank is nearly empty, and then remove the fuel-sending unit. If you can see into the tank with a flashlight to see the fuel level, you lessen the chance of running out of fuel.

 

[Flintknapper]

L3240 Digital Fuel Gauge Issues

I have a 2012 L3240 with the digital display. My fuel gauge reads 2 “squares” above empty even after adding fuel. It will drop to 1 “square” and give me the low fuel warning, but even adding 5 gallons of fuel I NLT have 2 squares showing. Thoughts/suggestion?

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[MountainMeadows]

Another possibility would be an intermittent faulty electrical connection between the sending unit and the gauge.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Agree possibly a bad connection ( not tight), allows for 'bad' readings. or a bad sensor.
1st is easiest to check out. Remove all connections, inspect, clean, grease,be sure they're 'locked' in. Also check the ground wire connections. There may be one from the tank sensor mount to the tractor frame ?

Sensor 'could' be faulty. Since it does read correct,sometimes..float is OK however if there's not enough side pressure on the wiper, it'll lose 'firm' contact with the resistor winding, and readings will 'jump.

 

[GeoHorn]

The fuel gauge sending unit is a resistance/rheostat and this behavior is similar to dirty/intermittent electrical connections. May also be a dirty rheostate or bad ground.