I shorted the wire on my passenger side fuel sending unit behind the taillight and the gauge went to full so the problem is the sender. What's the trick to removing/installing these in that tight space?

Seeing it is posted in XJ6 I removed the tanks in both my XJ6s. One a 73 series 1, the other a 79 Series 2. Made it easy to replace and clean everything. Make sure tank is low on fuel and drain it.

Remove the tail lamp assembly to access the sending unit.

Do not attempt to remove the sending unit until the fuel level is below half or fuel will pour out.

Be sure to use a new sender gasket at the top... confirm the new sender has the same bends as the old one... check the new unit with a couple of gallons of fuel.. should be right
at the "E" on the gauge.. empty is the only important measurement.

Tap the brass ring on the top with a large screwdriver.. it will come loose.

You pull the taillight, then put the end of a long flat blade screwdriver against one of the three tabs and knock it loose with a hammer. Pretty simple

Thanks, I'll give it a shot but of course the screwdriver has to be at a steep angle. I was hoping someone had a trick.

you use a brass punch to drive the locking tabs counterclockwise, to avoid any spark which could cause an explosion. This WARNING is in the Service Manual. do not use any steel tool, only brass.

Check the archives. I recall Elinor's making a tool from a chunk of exhaust tubings. Lugs to engage the tangs and a hole for a lever in the other.


And, Andrew of Jaguar-Specialties made a similar tool from an oil filter wrench. Same principle just cut the edge to provide lugs.


Carl

Hello Elinor??

where is the tool?

Hello Elinor??

where is the tool?

It doesn't require a special tool. Taking the tail lamp out take 5x longer than removing the sender itself. It really isn't that weird of an angle either. Use a wooden dowel if you are concerned the vapor stuck inside the sealed tank will somehow ignite while knocking it loose.

If my tail lamps weren't so fragile I would go do it right now and take a video for you. It's literally the time to pull 8 (?) screws and pop the ring loose.

To make a tool as described above, you would just grab the proper sized pipe, cut three notches in it for the tabs, then cut a hole on the other end to stick a rod through for leverage.

yeahh, similar to a spark plug tool

I prefer the wood, it is dangerous no matter how you put it.

Also the battery should be disconnected so there is no electricity around while doing this.

Thanks for the tips, I'm running down my gas tank then I'll take a stab at it first with a wood dowel and if necessary a home made tool. It looked to me that a dowel or whatever would be at least a 45 degree angle to the face. Hopefully it will turn easily.

Sorry I'[m late, fellas, Spring has sprung and I've been a bit busy.
Nick, here's the thread to my right sending unit adventure.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...g-unit-166388/

I so envy those who merely stick a screwdriver in and remove the unit. No Way could I do that, no room to rotate the screwdriver!

I hope this helps you change it.
(';')

Excellent, Thank you! I remember that post and spent a few minutes looking for it to no avail until your link.
Seems some people find this task easier than others. Neither of my senders work. I'll let y'all know how it goes should I survive it.