What does the purple wire in the fuel tank connect to? Mine is not connected to anything.

Three wires go into the tank. One is the ground, one is the fuel pump power and the last one (purple) is the fuel level. It connects to one end of the fuel level sender with the other end connecting to the ground. The fuel level sender is a small "card" variable resistor that has the a float with a "brush" that touches the variable resistor at a point dependent on the level of fuel. The purple wire is connected to one end of the resistor, the ground wire connects to the fuel pump and the brush that is moved by the float.

Is the connection inside an inclosure that the float arm pivots on?

quote Originally posted by earp: Is the connection inside an inclosure that the float arm pivots on?

I believe there are a couple of different types of sending units. They are similar in function, but the resistor unit may look different. Here's pics from the one I took out of my tank ('88).

Mine is different.

quote Originally posted by earp: Mine is different.

There are two styles, but the end result is the same. The purple wire needs to connect to one end of the resistor. Post a closeup pic of your sender unit.