1954 fuel gauge fuse under dash

[Ted K.]

Working on the fuel gauge for my 54 and discovered under the dash a cylindrical fuse holder with threads on one end screwed to the back side of the fuel gauge. Is this supposed to be the hot wire to activate the gauge? I have not seen a fuse holder like this before, is the original equipment?
Ted

[Ken A.]

Re: 1954 fuel gauge fuse under dash

There should not be a fuse anywhere in the circuit.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1954 fuel gauge fuse under dash

Actually there is a fuse for the Fuel gauge. I can't locate my photo, but a friend has a '54 and the first time I saw the fuse mounted directly to the back of the gauge I was surprised. I never knew that a fuse was used on the early cars.

It's a strange type. It threads onto the Positive Feed post of the gauge IIRC. The wire at the other end comes from the IGN terminal on the ignition switch. If you look carefully at the 6 cylinder 1953-1955 wiring diagram you can see the identifier for the fuse on the back of the "GAS" gauge.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/5362csg/5362csg1211.html

Rich

edit.....I found a photo of a 1954 fuse panel. These use the screw-on type holders much like what is on the back of the FUEL gauge.
54_FusePanel.jpg

[Ted K.]

Re: 1954 fuel gauge fuse under dash

Thanks, I was quite sure the fuse was original. Pretty cool for 1954. I just replaced the fuel tank and sending unit and the fuel gauge still does not work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Ted

[Eric F.]

Re: 1954 fuel gauge fuse under dash

The fuse holder you found is supposed to be there but it has nothing to do with the fuel gauge circuit. It is for the flasher, which is located on the inside lower part of the dash to the right of the steering column. The fuse holder is attached to the rear of the fuel gauge simply as a power source. The holder should have a 14 Amp SFE fuse. The fuse and circuit is visible on the wiring diagram in the ST-12 service guide.

[Ted K.]

Re: 1954 fuel gauge fuse under dash

Thanks. I thought the pink wire with the fuse was feeding the fuel gauge not the other way around. Good info.