Jamster

Update: I realized that the ground to the sending unit from the fuel gauge was okay, but that sending unit's itself wasn't grounding properly. Previously, I had tested it for continuity but it must have had a hairline break in it. I just used the exterior mounting face plate's bolt as the new ground. Sure enough the fuel gauge went to full (full tank at this point). I have to do some driving today, so I should be able to tell if it is working completely. Many thanks.

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Hello, back at you from ND. (Just north of Bismarck). I have an 82 GL hatchback with the third headlight hidden under the constellation symbol (strange thing they did for only two years. I push a button and the constellation lifts to reveal the tricylops. I have the original Subaru full service manual for the vehicle in you need specs. Good luck Jamster

Howdy Folks, Background details: I have an 82 1.8 L, Hatchback AWD in great condition, no rust and with center constellation headlight. Love this thing. Problem: My fuel gauge has been going all over the place for the last two years; floating high, low and empty. Originally, I added some solvent to the gas and that worked for about a year, ( I presumed by cleaning off the varnish on the sending unit). But recently the gauge isn't working except for the occasional magical floating needle effect. So this weekend I took out the fuel sending unit from the rear of the gas tank. I cleaned it up and checked the resistance on it. There was only a minute reading difference in the high and low section. Not nearly to the specs written in the book. I cleaned it up with acetone, and although I have good continuity I can't get it to read on the fuel gauge at all anymore. My power to the Fuel Sending Unit reads 7.2 volts D.C. with the ignition on. I'm looking for suggestions on getting a new/used sending unit, or making one. The difficulties I've had is that I can't find anything that fits in horizontally like the original. Supposedly on ebay there is a sending unit that would fit, but it doesn't look anything like the original. Suggestion on finding parts. I'm a newbie to this forum, so I apologize if this has been answered before, I've had difficulties navigating this forum. In the back of my mind, I keep thinking that the dash gauge is what's bad, but that doesn't make sense to me because after "Fixing" cleaning the old one I'm not getting any reading. Thanks Jamster

Thanks, I'm looking for one, but can't find it. I "thought" i was in the 80's forum. Sorry. I'll post there.

Howdy Folks, Background details: I have an 82 1.8 L, Hatchback AWD in great condition, no rust and with center constellation headlight. Love this thing. Problem: My fuel gauge has been going all over the place for the last two years; floating high, low and empty. Originally, I added some solvent to the gas and that worked for about a year, ( I presumed by cleaning off the varnish on the sending unit). But recently the gauge isn't working except for the occasional magical floating needle effect. So this weekend I took out the fuel sending unit from the rear of the gas tank. I cleaned it up and checked the resistance on it. There was only a minute reading difference in the high and low section. Not nearly to the specs written in the book. I cleaned it up with acetone, and although I have good continuity I can't get it to read on the fuel gauge at all anymore. My power to the Fuel Sending Unit reads 7.2 volts D.C. with the ignition on. I'm looking for suggestions on getting a new/used sending unit, or making one. The difficulties I've had is that I can't find anything that fits in horizontally like the original. Supposedly on ebay there is a sending unit that would fit, but it doesn't look anything like the original. I'm a newbie to this forum, so I apologize if this has been answered before, I've had difficulties navigating this forum. In the back of my mind, I keep thinking that the dash gauge is what's bad, but that doesn't make sense to me because after "Fixing" cleaning the old one I'm not getting any reading. Therefores Thanks Jamster

Luckily, I live in N. Dakota, so with the exception of the next couple of week (Spring rain). No moisture issue here. No salt either, we use coal dust on the roads during the winter. Thanks to everyone for the encouraging comments. Believe it or not, it has 173,000 miles on it. EVERY little thing works on it too, even the light in the glove box. Nice tires, and a real spare under the hood. Two questions. I noticed the oil pressure gauge reads between 50-90 psi. When I asked the previous owner he said that once it warms up it goes down a little bit, but its always been high. Should that be a concern? It runs great, even with the ice cold AC going. The Third Eye! What was the real reason for this? My brother had a GL 4 door sedan like this in the 80's, he said the rumor was that the head light actually tracked left and right as you steered. I'm assuming that is an Urban Legend.

Actually its on a steep driveway, so I would have to take some pictures of it on a flat surface. I bet the back wheels are 5 inches lower than the top. I'm going to let it ride for a while to get used to it before the tinkering begins. But at least it doesn't scrape the driveway when I go up it compared to my other vehicles.

I found this no rust Hatchback GL, with lots of miles, but in near perfect condition. It was owned by two people, one of the two people has been it's mechanic for over 30 years! It runs beautifully. I've always loved small cars, but add to that the on the fly 4WD and it's a perfect combination. I'm afraid I paid too much, but I couldn't resist. Motor is also perfect! "I'm as merry as a school boy and as giddy as a drunken man" -Dickens, Christmas Carol.