While on our recent trip I noticed that my fuel gauge would occasionally act erratically. It would swing madly back and forth from full to half to empty and back, etc. There appears to be no pattern or specific circumstances when this would occur. Has anyone else had this problem? What could be the most likely cause?

I would check connections first. Grounds included. Even if seemingly tight, remove, clean, treat and reassemble. The connections on the sending unit are exposed to dirt and moisture, so they would be likely suspects, but are harder to access than at the gauge, so check the gauge connections first.

See if you have an access panel for your dash like the one I mentioned in the "dash access panel thread". I had the same problem with my fuel guage and found it to be a lose connection on the back of the guage. Mine was a "push on" connector that had worked loose due to vibration. In fact my engine temp gauge just recently had the same problem. I guess years of bouncing down the road takes a toll on everything.

I do have an access panel such as you do. I have posted my own story of enlightenment and discovery. I think the connections are good but I will remove, clean and replace them as well as the same on the sending unit (if I am lucky enough to have it easily accessible).

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...as well as the same on the sending unit (if I am lucky enough to have it easily accessible).

It will not be "easily accessible" (they never are); however, if you're lucky, you can partially drop the fuel tank and access it.

Strangely enough, my sending unit is accessible. it is at the rear of the tank, and can be cleaned and re-gasketed with the tank in place. I am not sure the sender can be completely removed, though, as there is not a lot of space above. They seem to have left enough space above for the fuel pump. Unfortunately, it is in the middle, reachable only by Plastic Man.

For years, I have squirted PB Blaster on the tank hanger bolts, just in case.

Good Morning Lance, If your gauge does that at about 1/4 tank I wouldn't worry about it. I use the same condition to know when to fill it up. Some times " IF it ain't broke, don't fix it." Tom

I'll have to check mine out.
When I fill up it will sometimes show only a half tank. It will stay that way until I really am at a half tank and then after awhile it will go to a quarter of a tank. When I'm at a quarter of a tank on the gauge I know it's time to fill it cause I won't trust it after that.

This erratic fuel gauge behavior started after Hurricane Charley raised the Barth up about a foot on the left side and set it back down with a thump.

Jim

I haven't traveled in our Regency enough to determine any pattern in the fuel gauge. It does seem to be usually good until a little above or below the half full mark. It then swings to empty, then to full, then to some other quantity. I have noticed it go from nearly full to less than half and back a few times. Some time in the not to distant future I may have to check the sending unit connection but from the sound of it I should most likely wait until I have some time and patience to do so.

Mine did that too. Locate the fuel sender on the passenger side of the fuel tank. Disconnect the "Gauge" wire from the sender. Using a variable potentiometer, connect one end to ground and use the other to apply a starting resistance of 33 ohms and slowly increase it to 230 ohms. have someone observe the guage movement while doing this. If it is smooth, call Spartan Chassis & order a new sender.