BigTex Posted March 30, 2014 Report Posted March 30, 2014 I went out to go fly today and when I flipped on the master, I notice that the right fuel gauge was pegged with a full right (well past full) deflection. Turning on and off the master didn't seem to make any difference in how the gauge was reading. This was the first flight after having some avionics work done behind the panel in the area of the engine cluster. Any chance this issue might be related to this work? Quote
PLN_FXR Posted March 30, 2014 Report Posted March 30, 2014 Yes ... but only due to the timing. My schematics are at the hangar so I cannot confirm this, but provided memory serves if you don't have a ground the gauge will read off-scale high. This being said, I believe your grounds are at the sending units, not at the cluster gauge - so any avionics work should not have messed this up. Back to the timing, though - it's usually not a coincidence when a panel-mounted item quits working immediately after panel work was accomplished. Good luck! Quote
M20D6607U Posted March 30, 2014 Report Posted March 30, 2014 Be sure to tap on the gauges, the needle may be stuck and may need a little gentle persuasion. Yes if the ground is removed the gauge will peg. My left gauge was not reading correctly and I swapped out the sending unit, it turned out the ground way not great behind the panel and now it reads correctly. Ron Quote
WaMooneypilot Posted March 30, 2014 Report Posted March 30, 2014 Mine plain just dont work. They read full (sometimes) when i fill up. Then they move like windsheild wipers during flight. Or, they just sit on Empty. Always makes for an exciting moment when a new passenger notices and I have to reassure them we are not going to fall out of the air. The mostly INOP cluster gauge is one of my biggest peeves with my Mooney. 1 Quote
pinerunner Posted March 30, 2014 Report Posted March 30, 2014 Yes I'd to know more about that. Can those little gauges be replaced individually? What about that funny combo gauge with the manifold pressure? Is it Mooney specific? can it be replaced with a new one? Are they expensive and a bunch of trouble just because they're unique? Quote
Steve65E-NC Posted March 30, 2014 Report Posted March 30, 2014 Mine were pinned at full. We unscrewed the gang connector on the back of the block of gages and treated both sides of connector with spray contact cleaner. Seemed to change the problem away from full. I will need to fly a bit to see if their was real improvement. I was able to remove two screws on the panel and swing the block down enough to remove the connector with the careful help of pump pliers. Move gently as there is also a flexible oil pressure line attached below the electrical and lots of wiring bundles in the area. Check any grounding screws for tightness while down there. Quote
BigTex Posted March 30, 2014 Author Report Posted March 30, 2014 Well, problem solved. Nothing like a good rap of the knuckles on the gauge to fee up the stuck gauge! 1 Quote
Bob - S50 Posted March 31, 2014 Report Posted March 31, 2014 Yes I'd to know more about that. Can those little gauges be replaced individually? What about that funny combo gauge with the manifold pressure? Is it Mooney specific? can it be replaced with a new one? Are they expensive and a bunch of trouble just because they're unique? Pinerunner, There are primary replacement gauges for just about any function you wish. Except for MP and the Tachometer, they will most likely not fit in the same spot as the stock gauges. If you are looking for a particular function, post a topic on the forum and I'm sure many will give you there opinion and experience. The only primary we've replaced on our J is the fuel gauge. Bob Quote
kevinw Posted May 11, 2014 Report Posted May 11, 2014 Mine did the same thing just after some avionics work as well. One hit with my fist on top of the panel and it was fixed. This was about 8 months ago and no problems since. This was in an 82 J. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
Piloto Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 I went out to go fly today and when I flipped on the master, I notice that the right fuel gauge was pegged with a full right (well past full) deflection. Turning on and off the master didn't seem to make any difference in how the gauge was reading. This was the first flight after having some avionics work done behind the panel in the area of the engine cluster. Any chance this issue might be related to this work? Did you check visually the fuel level in the tank? Just take the cap off and look. José Quote
BigTex Posted May 12, 2014 Author Report Posted May 12, 2014 Yes... I have a calibrated fuel stick that I use to validate fuel levels. I never trust my fuel gauges. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 (Knuckles on the gauge didn't work ...) :-) Been there...done that. Works well on old tube stereo's too. My son is into retro vinyl. I gave him my Harmon Kardon turntable. He liked my parents old Panasonic receiver (I used to listen to older sisters albums in my mom and dad's "egg Chair"...yes, a chair shaped like an egg with speakes and a light inside....Got to love the 60's...) The receiver needs a sharp rap on top once and a while too...My son says Zepplin and Hendrix sound better on vinyl...I agree. Quote
Marauder Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 You guys are scaring me. Next thing you'll be asking about are lava lamps and mood rings. Sent using Tapatalk Quote
Marauder Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 And oh, I still have two 8-track players and the tapes to go with it. Sent using Tapatalk 1 Quote
DonMuncy Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 Do you keep them next to your pet rock? Quote
scottfromiowa Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 Sorry. some of our vintage avionics got me in a "retro mood"...Pretty silly that upgrades such as fuel level indicators can't be a more cost effective upgrade. Is what it is. Maybe the needle pulsing on the gauge is in time to "clocks-on Dark side"...like an old analoog sound level meter? Quote
scottfromiowa Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 Do you keep them next to your pet rock? Come on now...I guess one man's "cool" is another's "Kooky". Or are you talking about the album? Quote
Marauder Posted May 12, 2014 Report Posted May 12, 2014 Q. What did the vintage Mooney pilot do when his fuel gauge quit on the way to New Delhi? A. Bang-le-dash! Now that was FUNNY! Sent using Tapatalk Quote
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