I recently picked up a 71 Skylark and the fuel gauge is non active. Today when I was under the car I found a couple wires hanging freely next to the starter. They are not attached to anything. One is a larger wire (black I believe) the other appears tan. After reading on the forum, I see the tan wire runs from the gauge to the fuel tank. Could this be the wire? I have not traced it yet. Anyway, my question is... isn't the tan wire supposed to be under the carpet (interior). If yes, what could this tan (or lighter colored) wire next to the starter be?
On a '71 the fuel sending wire is tan, routed through the trunk, under the carpet & to the dash unit. The tan( initially brown) & black wires are the factory leads for the fusible links. These links act as a fuse & provide 12V to the car & all the systems. Connected to the battery "POS" cable at the starter, they provide direct battery power. At the opposite ends of these links you will see the wires change colours. The No.12 red supplies only the headlights. The No. 10 red supplies everything else. Take a good look around. Should your car be operating without these links a real disaster is close by.
