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AA5 left fuel gauge not working - stuck float?

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SteveR

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 226
Location: Aledo, TX

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:54 am Post subject: AA5 left fuel gauge not working - stuck float?

The logs indicate that the fuel tank float has stuck before, so I'm 

leaning towards that as the most likely problem.  I seem to remember a 

local shop being able to unstick these floats.  I assume you have to 

remove the plate holding the sending unit to the inboard side of the 

tank, is that right?  If so, how difficult are they to seal properly?



The gauge itself is working fine (I tested it).  All wiring appears to 

be intact, I checked most terminals for loose connections and corrosion 

but didn't find anything.  Should I be looking anywhere else, or is this 

most likely the sending unit?



Thanks,



Steve Ruse

Norman, OK

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BARRY CHECK 6

Joined: 15 Mar 2011
Posts: 738

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:09 am Post subject: AA5 left fuel gauge not working - stuck float?

Steve:



You have to positively identify if the float is sticking.

These floats are 30+ years old.  The pivot on them wears and if stuck in a vertical position the reading will not be correct.

 One way to verify this is to insert a wire coat hanger - Use it to move the float arm and see if the Gage follows the arm position.

Another problem is if the float fell off the arm.  Then you should be reading a LOW / EMPTY tank all the time.

 If you need a FLOAT let me know.

Barry



On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 9:51 AM,  <steve(at)wotelectronics.com (steve(at)wotelectronics.com)> wrote:

 [quote]--> TeamGrumman-List message posted by: steve(at)wotelectronics.com (steve(at)wotelectronics.com)

  

 The logs indicate that the fuel tank float has stuck before, so I'm leaning towards that as the most likely problem.  I seem to remember a local shop being able to unstick these floats.  I assume you have to remove the plate holding the sending unit to the inboard side of the tank, is that right?  If so, how difficult are they to seal properly?

  

 The gauge itself is working fine (I tested it).  All wiring appears to be intact, I checked most terminals for loose connections and corrosion but didn't find anything.  Should I be looking anywhere else, or is this most likely the sending unit?

  

 Thanks,

 

 Steve Ruse

 Norman, OK

 

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 http://forums.matronics.com

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 ="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

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SteveR

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 226
Location: Aledo, TX

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:18 am Post subject: Re: AA5 left fuel gauge not working - stuck float?

Barry,



Thanks for the tips.  To move the arm with a coat hangar, I assume you have to go through the filler opening and under or over the spare to reach the arm.  Do you have any tips on how to do that?  I assume it isn't too difficult with an inspection mirror and light when the tank is empty?



Thanks,



Steve

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teamgrumman(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:02 pm Post subject: AA5 left fuel gauge not working - stuck float?

Steve

It isn't likely that the float sticks.  Once you see the mechanism, it's pretty simple.  I have seen the float itself fall off.  

Are these long range tanks or standard tanks?  THe standard tanks are a bitch to get the sending unit in and out.

Gary

From: "steve(at)wotelectronics.com" <steve(at)wotelectronics.com>

To:  teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 6:51 AM

Subject: AA5 left fuel gauge not working - stuck float?



--> TeamGrumman-List message posted by: steve(at)wotelectronics.com (steve(at)wotelectronics.com)



The logs indicate that the fuel tank float has stuck before, so I'm leaning towards that as the most likely problem.  I seem to remember a local shop being able to unstick these floats.  I assume you have to remove the plate holding the sending unit to the inboard side of the tank, is that right?  If so, how difficult are they to seal properly?



The gauge itself is working fine (I tested it).  All wiring appears to be intact, I checked most terminals for loose connections and corrosion but didn't find  anything.  Should I be looking anywhere else, or is this most likely  href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List" target="_bl//forums.matronics.com" =   -->

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Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:07 pm Post subject: AA5 left fuel gauge not working - stuck float?

Where should he insert the coat hanger?  You cannot reach the sending unit from the fuel filler cap.  It's on the other side of the spar and on the other side of the rib between the filler cap and the sending unit.

From: FLYaDIVE <flyadive(at)gmail.com>

To: teamgrumman-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 8:06 AM

Subject: Re: AA5 left fuel gauge not working -  stuck float?

Steve:

You have to positively identify if the float is sticking.

These floats are 30+ years old.  The pivot on them wears and if stuck in a vertical position the reading will not be correct.

 One way to verify this is to insert a wire coat hanger - Use it to move the float arm and see if the Gage follows the arm position.

Another problem is if the float fell off the arm.  Then you should be reading a LOW / EMPTY tank all the time.

 If you need a FLOAT let me know.

Barry

On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 9:51 AM,  <steve(at)wotelectronics.com (steve(at)wotelectronics.com)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> TeamGrumman-List message posted by: steve(at)wotelectronics.com (steve(at)wotelectronics.com)

 The logs indicate that the fuel tank float has stuck before, so I'm leaning towards that as the most likely problem.  I seem to remember a local shop being able to unstick these floats.  I assume you have to remove the plate holding the sending unit to the inboard side of the tank, is that right?  If so, how difficult are they to seal properly?

 The gauge itself is working fine (I tested it).  All wiring appears to be intact, I checked most terminals for loose connections and corrosion but didn't find anything.  Should I be looking anywhere else, or is this most likely the sending unit?

 Thanks,

 Steve Ruse

 Norman, OK

 ====================================

 List" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?TeamGrumman-List

 ====================================

 http://forums.matronics.com

 ====================================

 le, List Admin.

 ="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 ====================================

 http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Tea_blank" href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com 	

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