fuel sender problem

[xcashewx]

my fuel sender started to act weird and eventually stopped working. i took out the sender , and took it apart to find the fine "U" shaped wire in two pieces.
i replaced the wire with a basic strand of copper wire but now it only shows a full tank all the time. i noticed the original wire was very thin and silver.
is there a certain type or thickness of wire needed to function correctly? judging by the structure of the sender it looks like the guage works off resistance values.

[xcashewx]

thanks for the advice. id like to see if it could be repaired, as its not a very complicated piece of equipment, but if thats not possible ill end up buying a used one from you

[al_lieffring]

I tried to fix my old sensor, I took apart every wire coil type rheostat that I could find and never found one with wire that had the correct resistance to make the gage work. Bought a new sensor and it worked great. It also eliminated the bouncing needle that the fuel gage always had since I first got the car 30+ years ago.

[vaqua55]

The wire provides variable resistance.  By replacing it with a piece of copper wire you have effectively given it so much continuity that it will always think it is full.   It's a goner.  Your choices are:
1) buy one from Mercedes - I think it's about $170
2) buy one from some other vender - I think it's about $100
3) buy a used one at the junk yard if you can find one - that's about $7 and then hopefully it can be cleaned
4) buy a used one that is cleaned and tested from me (and I include a new gasket).   Probably around $45 + postage.
Scott

Hi SCott,
Can I buy a used and tested one from you as mine is completely rusted and trash my email is vaqua55@gmail.com

Thanks

Vasko

[scoot]

Hi -
I need to retract my offer to sell fuel senders - it was a post that didn't belong here.  Send me PM if you want to talk about them further.   Thanks and apologies for improper commercial posting.
Scott

[vaqua55]

Hi SCott,

PM send and hope you received it otherwise you can email me at vaqua55@gmail.com

Sorry about the improper posting as well!

Vasco