Fuel Level Gauge Replacement

[mng8r]

On our 2013 20SF, the fuel gauge appears to have stopped working. With ignition off, the needle is below E (expected) and with ignition on, the needle goes to F. It has been at F all season. I've disconnected the connector from the back of the gauge and measured the resistance between the pink sending unit wire and black ground wire several times at various times. After boating for a number of hours, I've had readings of 150 ohms, 110 ohms, 80 ohms. After adding fuel, the resistance is ~35 ohms or so. So, I believe the sending unit is working properly and the gauge is faulty.

A couple of questions,

1. The gauge part number is 781436PDFB and appears to be made by Teleflex. I've searched, but it doesn't look like the part is available. Does anyone know of similar gauges that use the Deutsch connectors or if some dealers would still have these parts?
2. If I can't find a unit that uses the same factory connector, does anyone have a source for the connector and pins? I'd rather not cut off the factor connector to wire in a gauge using ring connectors.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Potomacbassin’]

There seems to be some out there if you search around. 4-pin, 6-pin etc.

Boat Fuel Gauges, Fuel Gauges for Boats, Marine Fuel Gauges

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Maybe also contact some marine parts stores and ask the guy, they probably have catalogs in front of them and can source exactly what you're looking for.

Good luck!

 

[mng8r]

Follow-up:
Adding this info in case somebody else needs to solve the same issue. I ended up ordering "Deutsch DT 6-pin Pigtail Kit" and a Faria fuel level gauge from Amazon. Used the socket connector from the pigtail kit, 3 crimp on ring terminals, and one 0.25 female spade connector. Easy job and done in 15 minutes. Would have been faster, but triple checked the connections/schematic to verify the wiring was correct.
I now have a working fuel level gauge again.

 

[Vikingstaff]

Follow-up:
Adding this info in case somebody else needs to solve the same issue. I ended up ordering "Deutsch DT 6-pin Pigtail Kit" and a Faria fuel level gauge from Amazon. Used the socket connector from the pigtail kit, 3 crimp on ring terminals, and one 0.25 female spade connector. Easy job and done in 15 minutes. Would have been faster, but triple checked the connections/schematic to verify the wiring was correct.
I now have a working fuel level gauge again.

Nice job and thanks for reporting back to help others down the road.

 

[Scott D]

Follow-up:
Adding this info in case somebody else needs to solve the same issue. I ended up ordering "Deutsch DT 6-pin Pigtail Kit" and a Faria fuel level gauge from Amazon. Used the socket connector from the pigtail kit, 3 crimp on ring terminals, and one 0.25 female spade connector. Easy job and done in 15 minutes. Would have been faster, but triple checked the connections/schematic to verify the wiring was correct.
I now have a working fuel level gauge again.

Thanks for the information! I seem to have the same problem on my 2017 21SSX. Can I ask which color wires were connected to ring terminals and which one to spade terminal? I have exhausted all other attempts as well to try to find an original replacement. I don't know where to get my schematic. Thanks.

 

[mng8r]

Sorry for the delayed response.
For the gauge I bought, the spade terminal was for the light, so it was the original blue wire, but was the pigtail's yellow wire.

So, for me:

Pigtail color	Original color	Terminal Type	Purpose
White	Black	ring	Ground
Brown	Purple	ring	Ignition
Yellow	Blue	1/4" spade	Light
Green	Pink	ring	sensor (fuel sending unit)

 

[Scott D]

Sorry for the delayed response.
For the gauge I bought, the spade terminal was for the light, so it was the original blue wire, but was the pigtail's yellow wire.

So, for me:

Pigtail color	Original color	Terminal Type	Purpose
White	Black	ring	Ground
Brown	Purple	ring	Ignition
Yellow	Blue	1/4" spade	Light
Green	Pink	ring	sensor (fuel

 

[Scott D]

Thanks for the information! I had just found my schematic and figured it out, but it’s good to confirm what I thought.

 

[B Beard]

Hoping those involved earlier in this thread are still reading. If not, maybe someone can help.

Just bought a 2016 Bennington SSX and the fuel gauge isn’t working. Not sure if it’s the gauge the piece in the tank, or somewhere in the middle. Figured I’d start with the gauge. The number on it is 781436PDFB with 337/19 under it. I can’t find the exact replacement, so wondering how to hook up a replacement. The first several images are my current gauge, with ones after the part number pic being the replacement I have in mind.

Thanks for any help you can give.
B

 

[Potomacbassin’]

There are several diagrams online that you can reference. Take the existing wiring harness that went to your 6-pin Deutsch connector, cut/separate out the 4 wires and connect to the new gauge using marine grade ring connectors or whatever you prefer.

Of course I would test the existing gauge first before buying a new one, easy instructions online as well. Good luck!

 

[Rich_Williams]

On our 2013 20SF, the fuel gauge appears to have stopped working. With ignition off, the needle is below E (expected) and with ignition on, the needle goes to F. It has been at F all season. I've disconnected the connector from the back of the gauge and measured the resistance between the pink sending unit wire and black ground wire several times at various times. After boating for a number of hours, I've had readings of 150 ohms, 110 ohms, 80 ohms. After adding fuel, the resistance is ~35 ohms or so. So, I believe the sending unit is working properly and the gauge is faulty.

A couple of questions,

1. The gauge part number is 781436PDFB and appears to be made by Teleflex. I've searched, but it doesn't look like the part is available. Does anyone know of similar gauges that use the Deutsch connectors or if some dealers would still have these parts?
2. If I can't find a unit that uses the same factory connector, does anyone have a source for the connector and pins? I'd rather not cut off the factor connector to wire in a gauge using ring connectors.

Thanks,
Ron

Hi Ron,

I own a 2015 Bennington 20SL and I just purchased that exact gauge, with that exact same part number "781436PDFB", for $92.00 + tax, from my Bennington dealer here in Florida. They have the gauge in stock.

The business name is Triangle Marine and they are located in Tavares, Florida. The phone number is (352) 343-6146.

As soon as I explained the issue I was having, fuel gauge "Pinned on Full", he knew right away what the problem was. The gentleman I spoke with is named Mike and he has been with Triangle Marine for many years. This is where I purchased my brand new Bennington 20SL from in 2015.

Anyway, I hope this helps all of you that are having the "Pinned on Full" issue, as I was.

Good luck, have fun on the water and remember SAFETY FIRST!

Sincerely, Rich Williams
Astor, Florida 32102 USA!