fuel gauge has 5.6 volts but shows empty when in vehicle outside w/ 4.5v show 3/4 ful

i have a 1998 defender 110 and the fuel gauge doesnt work.
i took the gauge out and tested for voltage and it reads 5.65V but the gauge reads empty when connected
outside of the car i hooked it up to 3 1.5V batteries (4.5V) and the gauge read almost 3/4 full
from what i have read online the gauge runs on 10V so 4.5 should really only be 1/2 full.
I dont want to drop the gas tank to play with the float if i do not have to. any help would be greatly appreciated

Have you run new wiring from tank to gauge while it was out ?

Sounds like you have an earth short somewhere ...

Similar to mine, I had two faults:
1. Chafed loom, through the earth
2. Disconnected earth on the loom as it exits the chassis at the front (two wires come off the loom at that point and connect to the chassis with bullet connectors).

Good luck.

what exactly is the loom? Is that a European expression?
I am a stupid american living in Argentina HAHA

stealth1291 said:

what exactly is the loom? Is that a European expression?
I am a stupid american living in Argentina HAHA

Click to expand...

Wiring harness? Maybe that's the American version eg where all the cables are bundled together