Fuel quantity indicator blinking

Shack wrote:

> 225 Yamaha with LCD gauge for voltages, time, trip odometer and fuel
> quantity. The bottom, of about eight, fuel quantity LCD segment blinks
> continuously even though there is 1/4 to 1/2 tank full of gas. The wiring I
> accessed was OK for continuity and ground. I'm thinking it's time to try a
> sending unit. Before I spend the $80 or so for it are there any other things
> I might try looking at? TIA

Since that is more or less "disposable" at this point, try this.

Those LCD displays typically make contact with a number of contact spots
on a PCB. The contact points on the LCD display (the piece of glass
with sandwiched segments) are held in contact with the spots on the PCB
and that is how the segments are activated. If that gets a little dirty
or oxidized, the segments won't work.

If you can (carefully) disassemble the gage and identify the points of
contact, it may be that a little cleaning will get them working again.
Use a Q-Tip and Isopropyl alcohol to clean the contact spots on the PCB
and also slide an alcohol wetted Q-Tip along the edge of the LCD that
touches the contacts. That edge of the LCD may look like (in an edge
view) like two thin sheets of something dark with a thin sheet or
pinkish rubber or silicone separating them.

If the glass panel is stuck down into a socket type mount, try sliding
it out and cleaning down in the socket (toothpick and paper towel) and
on any contact edge or obvious contact points.

For more obvious surface corrosion, one of those old typewriter ink
erasers that are slightly abrasive (use it gently!) may be helpful for
cleaning.

Put it all back together and it may work.

I have to clean the contact points on the LCD display on my venerable
old Fluke 79 multi-meter every three of four years when the upper half
of the segments start dimming. This is pretty simple to do and, after
cleaning, the display is as dark, distinct, and crisp as it was when
new. It is like welcoming an old friend back from a near death
experience. :>) And I usually put in a new 9V battery while I have it
open but the battery alone will not resolve the dimming display issues.

Good luck,

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)