ran into something last month. fuel gauge stopped working in an 87 hess conv. sender was made by rochester. has a magnetic part on it. can't find out anything. anyone else seen this. guess the tank was made thinner for the top to fold down as no other sender will work

 

Hi.
The post is very old, but maybe is actual for this time.
I have the same problem with dials in my XJS Hess conv.
Rochester produce this dials for current time.
Complete Gauge Line
But I have problem in Europe to get it. I wrote to Rochester USA, but they redirecting me to Rochester Belgium and it was the end
I attach two files that describe both dials.
Upper is :
5ABXS02084P
Lower is yellow labeled in the file (I think, but It's better, if one of rochester confirms it).

And I think, when You call to :

Suzanne Davis
Customer Service Supervisor
DIRECT: 972‐280‐8482

that she can help You (You are US citizen) and me to If You write me the result.


Thank You very much for the answer.
Best regards, Roman (Europe, Czech republic)

 

Is the sending unit different in an H&S car from a coupe or an '88-'91 convertible? If not I would think a sending unit should be pretty easy to get. If not it may be worth looking into rebuilding your unit. It is likely just corroded a bit and gummed up. If you are not comfortable with the job finding a good electrical repair shop might do the trick for you.

 

Hi.
Thanks for the answer.
The sending units (Hess have two tanks and units) are others then all other XJS. It is Hess and Rochester construction, if I'm not wrong.
Tanks have flanges for Rochester dials. Upper dial have range 0-180 Ohms, lower 0-90 Ohms. Empty tanks send to clock 270 Ohms, full cca 16 Ohms.
Easiest way is buy only dial from Rochester (Rochester have the same construction for gauges and dials for decades).
But I must find the way

 

I'm away from American spare parts too. Many sellers do not send outside the US. I use the mailbox service. Then this company forward the parcel to me. I have mailboxes in the US in UK and in Germany.

 

I am not an expert on the H&E editions of these cars. They were a specialty car modification company located in Cincinnati if I remember correctly.
Rochester was a parts supplier company (mainly for GM) for decades located in Rochester NY. They were famous for carburetors among other things.
Finding replacements after three decades might be too much to ask which is why I suggested possibly having your units rebuilt. Another option may be to fabricate a new sending unit by attaching a mechanism arm to a cut piece of metal from a template of the of your existing parts.
Locating an H&E edition in a junk yard or any parts sitting on the shelf of a parts company (Welsh, Terry's, XK's Unlimited, etc...) is highly unlikely in my opinion.
Wish I had better news.