I wanted to test the fuel sender in my van, so I hooked up my multimeter
to the two posts at the back of the fuel gauge that are the input
terminals to the gauge - thinking that this would allow me to measure
the current or resistance that the gauge measures.

Well, it seems I've missed a very obvious electrical principle because
as soon as I hook up the multimeter and turn it on, the gauge will drop
to "E." If I turn the multimeter off, the gauge goes back to where it
should be.  What am I missing here? Should I be testing the sender from
somewhere else?  I want to determine the range of resistance or current
that maps to a full and empty tank.

Todd
'88 Westy