Random Wire

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,029
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
What do you mean Aux tank? What do you call the Aux tank. The Left or the Right? :shrug:
 

MrMarty51

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Posts
7,524
Reaction score
9,381
Location
Eastern Montana
First Name
Martin
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
What do you mean Aux tank? What do you call the Aux tank. The Left or the Right? :shrug:
I always consider the left,as the main,as it is the easiest one to refill at the pumps.
The right tank,which means having to go around the pickumup to get toooit,I always considered as the auxillary.
Dont know if that is wright wrong or indrefferent,but,as stated,the switching valve is "SUPPOSE" to revert to that side if it fails,or the switch fails.
Notice: I use that word "SUPPOSE" lightly.:whymewhyme::popcorn:
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,029
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I think you're right, but maybe not. Or maybe on ALL dual tank models, one tank is dominate, but I know the single tank trucks changed at some point. The Early squares a single tank was on the right. Later models the single tank was on the Left. :shrug: I had just never heard then reffered to as AUX, so I thought maybe 1 was added. With all the common problems of the dual tanks, I'd be just as happy like I had in my 62, 1 tank was gauged, the 2 add on saddle tanks were not. Then it had the manual hand valve down by the driver seat. Pretty much fool proof. Nothing to go wrong really.

If I ever filled that truck up all 3 tanks, I know it held over 59 gallons. That was real nice to have back in So Cal when the gas rationing was going on, and that's exactly why the 3rd saddle tank was added. My granddad had owned the truck and bought it with main tank and 1 saddle. Seen the extra port for the 3rd tank on the valve, so he had 1 added. Then he had a gravity drain **** on the inside that noone could see. So he could drain one of the 23-25 gallon tanks for another vehicle.
 

MrMarty51

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Posts
7,524
Reaction score
9,381
Location
Eastern Montana
First Name
Martin
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
I think the "Auxillary tank" wording come from the early days of trucking,when,there was no go to the store for stuff,everything came from whatever them farmers/ranchers/truckers could scrounge up,valves from the hardware stores,tanks,to be added onto their trucks,come from salvage,either fo their own or something that had been abandoned by someone else,junk yards,where ever they could come up with anything that could/would fit.
Over here in Eastern Montana,it is rather desolate,county roads that a person can cruise on,for hours,and not seed another vehicle,just cattle,sheeeeps,and a deer or annelope or two.
Anything that can hold any extra fuel is almost essential,especially in them old farm trucks that gets maby two or three to the gallon,usually caused by not getting the proper tune ups and maintenance.LOL
 

MrMarty51

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Posts
7,524
Reaction score
9,381
Location
Eastern Montana
First Name
Martin
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
I think you're right, but maybe not. Or maybe on ALL dual tank models, one tank is dominate, but I know the single tank trucks changed at some point. The Early squares a single tank was on the right. Later models the single tank was on the Left. :shrug: I had just never heard then reffered to as AUX, so I thought maybe 1 was added. With all the common problems of the dual tanks, I'd be just as happy like I had in my 62, 1 tank was gauged, the 2 add on saddle tanks were not. Then it had the manual hand valve down by the driver seat. Pretty much fool proof. Nothing to go wrong really.

If I ever filled that truck up all 3 tanks, I know it held over 59 gallons. That was real nice to have back in So Cal when the gas rationing was going on, and that's exactly why the 3rd saddle tank was added. My granddad had owned the truck and bought it with main tank and 1 saddle. Seen the extra port for the 3rd tank on the valve, so he had 1 added. Then he had a gravity drain **** on the inside that noone could see. So he could drain one of the 23-25 gallon tanks for another vehicle.

K00L story and experience You have there.I like stories.
 

Boone83K10

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2013
Posts
841
Reaction score
42
Location
Boone, NC
First Name
Benjamin
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
according to the schematic I have.. AUX for Auxillary is the passenger tank. My main tank is the driver side which is the one I was told works when I bought it. If the selector valve defaults to the passenger side when it fails, then that tells me it still works since I am on driver side. Nothing happens to the gauge when I switch it to passenger side (the needle doesnt move at all for an empty tank) so I assume the dash switch isn't make contact/working.

I know the green wire isn't for the tanks, but if it's for lockup that intrigues me.

Fuel Schematic
You must be registered for see images attach
 

foamypirate

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
3,302
Reaction score
453
Location
Central TX
First Name
Jake (Mr. Wilson)
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
El Camino, baby!
Engine Size
5.3L/4L60E
Oh cool! Does that bypass the vacuum switch then? I wonder if an '84 has that.

My 84' had it. I ended up using it as part of my 700R4/TBI lockup wiring, I think.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,205
Reaction score
24,328
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
The 70's trucks had the standard tank on the passenger side. When the tank valve loses power in a 70's truck, it defaults to that passenger tank.

The 80's trucks have the standard tank on the driver's side. I don't know for sure which side the valve defaults to if power is lost.
 

chengny

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Posts
4,086
Reaction score
1,010
Location
NH
First Name
Jerry
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K3500
Engine Size
350/5.7
Tank switching (and tank level indication) is manually accomplished and controlled only by the dash switch. There is no feedback or position sensing circuitry. You are the controller.

The switch is of the DPDT momentary contact design with a "neutral" - Normally Open - position in the middle.

Toggling the switch up or down applies power (and reverses the polarity) to the actuating coil which moves the valve plug in the associated direction. Power continues to be applied to the coil as long as the switch is held in. Releasing the button allows the switch to move back into the middle (normally open) position - it is spring loaded to return to that point.

Once released, the valve will then stay right there. Lined up to whichever tank it was last moved to - until the switch is pressed to the opposite position.

As a matter of fact, to be sure that the valve rotates completely, the owners manual states that when switching tanks it is advised to hold the tank select button in for at least 2 seconds.
 
Last edited:

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,205
Reaction score
24,328
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Tank switching (and tank level indication) is manually accomplished and controlled only by the dash switch. There is no feedback or position sensing circuitry. You are the controller.

The switch is of the DPDT momentary contact design with a "neutral" - Normally Open - position in the middle.

Toggling the switch up or down applies power (and reverses the polarity) to the actuating coil which moves the valve plug in the associated direction. Power continues to be applied to the coil as long as the switch is held in. Releasing the button allows the switch to move back into the middle (normally open) position - it is spring loaded to return to that point.

Once released, the valve will then stay right there. Lined up to whichever tank it was last moved to - until the switch is pressed to the opposite position.

As a matter of fact, to be sure that the valve rotates completely, the owners manual states that when switching tanks it is advised to hold the tank select button in for at least 2 seconds.

The earlier trucks are setup differently. The switch valve is just a self-grounded solenoid that engages when it sees 12 volts from the dash switch. The dash switch is a simple rocker switch that stays in position after it is pushed.
 

Boone83K10

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2013
Posts
841
Reaction score
42
Location
Boone, NC
First Name
Benjamin
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
well I did press and hold the switch and nothing happened...tomorrow I will try to get my hand up there to remove the switch.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,029
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
On my mid 80's trucks I hold the switch for 3-5 seconds just to make sure the gate opened all the way.
 

Boone83K10

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2013
Posts
841
Reaction score
42
Location
Boone, NC
First Name
Benjamin
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
did that...
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,029
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Could be a bad switch, or bad valve. Then again even a bad wire is possible.
 

Boone83K10

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2013
Posts
841
Reaction score
42
Location
Boone, NC
First Name
Benjamin
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
well I don't think it is a bad dash switch. contacts were all clean and everything..I cleaned the ground on the tank as well. I guess I need to probe the selector valve and then the sending unit in the tank.

I also have a question. There are 4 wires at the back of the switch, LT Green DK green are on top, Pink/Black and Pink/White on bottom. That fuel schematic shows LT Green and DK green and Pink for Hot and Black for ground. Why do I have a Pink/Blk and Pink/Wht wire? NEVERMIND THOSE ARE THE RIGHT WIRES... SEE BELOW FOR NEXT QUESTION!
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
42,326
Posts
913,776
Members
33,825
Latest member
Charkmapman
Top