Fuel Gauge

The pointer of the fuel gauge is moved by the magnetic fields of two coils. The coils are at right angles to each other. The voltage is applied to coil F from the IG-COIL fuse. The circuit divides at the opposite (ground) side of the coil. One path seeks a ground through the variable resistor in the fuel level sensor.

When the fuel level is low, the resistance in the fuel level sensor is high. Since the current will always seek the path of least resistance, the current will flow through coil F and coil E to ground at G 105. The E coil winding is twice the length of the F coil winding. Because of this, the magnetic field generated by the E coil is twice as strong as the magnetic field generated by the F coil. Therefore, the pointer may pull to the E position.

As the fuel level increases, the resistance in the fuel level sensor decreases. Because the current always seeks the path of least resistance, more current will begin to bypass the E coil and travel directly to ground through the fuel level sensor. Under these conditions, the coil F magnetic field becomes stronger than the coil E magnetic field. The pointer moves toward the F position.