Hi, everyone. First post here.
Used to fly an M20J, from 1982 to about 1998. Took it everywhere across country from its base first at Santa Monica CA and later at Aurora Oregon.
I signed up to this forum just now in order to respond to the fuel gauge question. I also had weird indications back in the mid-90s and took the cluster out of the panel a number of times (and as someone has said, it helps to find someone with small hands--what a pain). Never could figure out what was wrong. The gauges were D'Arsonval meter movements, very simple in design.
I was about to give up when I thought to look at the movements with a 10X loupe. Surprise! There were dozens of microscopic spider-web strands snaking across the movement. Not a "web," per se, but just a trail left by some itty-bitty spider who had somehow crawled into the gauge box through one of the vent holes. The little guy had crawled around and over 4 of the gauges, and once I carefully cleaned out the filaments with a toothpick, they all swung freely again.
I'd find it hard to believe that you have the same issue, but you never know.
Best regards to the Mooney community. If I flew again I'd probably go for an Encore with a weeping wing (lots of ice up here in the Pacific NW).
