2010 Sundeck 260 - Fuel Gauge inaccurate/jumpy

[bove]

Hello,

I am a new owner of a 2010 Sundeck 260 and have an issue where the fuel gauge isn't properly reading the level of fuel. I've done some research and digging and see that I can try to test the sending unit and the fuel gauge, but this isn't as simple as I thought for two reasons:

1. The sending unit has three wires (SSI Fuel Sender), not two as it seems every test refers to. There's the pink 200B, the black 201B, and the darker redish 202. All troubleshooting sites seem to say touching the pink and black wires together should peg the gauge, but when I do that, nothing happens. I haven't tried with the 202 wire.

2. The fuel gauge is pretty inaccessible but from what I can see, it doesn't have the traditional wiring connected to the back, and instead has a blue, red, yellow wire that I assume connect to the computer. I could be wrong on the colors but that's what it looked like when I quickly looked.

Not really sure where I should go from here. Does anyone have any idea what I can do to troubleshoot this? Additionally, if I need to buy replacement parts, I cannot seem to find the sender or the fuel gauge online.

Sender part: 1978836 - SENDING UNIT, FUEL GAS SSI 20.4" 3WR 6RWP
Gauge part: 1948037 - GAUGE, FUEL LEVEL S/CRFT 2"SB

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Espos4]

The fuel gauge only reports what the computer tells it to.

What about switching the smart craft display to show the fuel level as a percentage. Does that jump around like the gauge needle too?

 

[bove]

Great idea - I will check that tonight and report back.

 

[bove]

Just checked and the digital fuel gauge matches the analog fuel gauge. The both rise/fall in sync with one another. The wiring all seems fine in this boat with no corrosion anywhere, so I think I'll replace the sender as a first step.

Where can I buy this thing? I can't seem to find it anywhere.
1978836 - SENDING UNIT, FUEL GAS SSI 20.4" 3WR 6RWP

Thanks!

 

[Espos4]

Can you post a picture of the top of the sender?

 

[bove]

Here's three pics showing the three wire connector, and the top of the sending unit.

additionally, the wiring schematic from the book:

 

[bove]

OK so after googling all morning I've come across something similar, but definitely not the same. Blue Sea Systems makes a very similar sender with the SSI tech...

https://www.bluesea.com/products/1811/Vessel_Systems_Monitor_Tank_Sender_-_Gas_Only

 

[bove]

Spoke to a local dealer and they agreed that the above sender is the replacement. I have since ordered this:
https://www.hodgesmarine.com/blu1811-blue-sea-1811-vsm-422-tank-sender-gasoline-takn-le.html

 

[bove]

I wanted to post an update since I forgot to reply. The above fuel sender was correct and fixed the issue. Additionally, I purchased the three pin connector to easily swap the old and the new. It took me a bit to find the exact one that matched what was installed on the boat, but it was this one here:

3-Pin Delphi Metri-Pack 150 Series Connector w/20-22 AWG Sealed Waterproof Set
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DZ2L4JK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and the name of the fuel sender above:
Blue Sea 1811 Vsm 422 Tank Sender Gasoline Tank Level

case closed!