Merkur Scorpio V6-179 2.9L (1989)
Fuel Gauge: Description and Operation
Bimetal Type
The fuel level indicator gauge pointer is attached to a wire wound bimetal strip, which, when heated by a signal from the fuel sender unit, produces the
appropriate level indication When the curent is low there is little heating effect and the point moves a short distance As the current increases, it produces
a greater heating effect, causing the pointer to move a greater distance.
Magnetic Type
The fuel level indicating system is a magnetic type system, which consists of the sending unit located in the fuel tank, an anti-slosh module located on
the back of the instrument cluster, and a fuel gauge located in the instrument cluster.
The sending unit changes resistance according to the level of fuel in the fuel tank, which varies the current flow through the gauge. The pointer
position varies proportionately to the current flow. In this system, the sending unit resistance is low when the fuel level is low and high when the fuel
level is high.
The pointer of the magnetic gauge remains in position when the ignition is turned to the Off position. O some models, an anti-slosh module is used to
dampen out fluctuating fuel signals from the sender.
Some vehicles are equipped with a low fuel warning indicator. The anti-slosh module will also actuate the low fuel indicator when the fuel level in the
tank reaches 1/16 to 1/8 full.
