Factory Fuel Gauge not accurate

[42395_skyline]

I searched for weeks and the most I found is that there is some factory problem with the fuel gauge on the Eclipse and it used to be on vfaq but now it's not (as far as I can tell).

My fuel gauge is not accurate at all. Sometimes I start my car and it's on 1/4 and in 10 minutes it's almost at the "E" then it will go like over the 1/4 line a bit then move in between. It just jumps around randomly like that within a couple minutes. Sometimes I can watch it and it changed like crazy within 30 seconds. I haven't filled up yet (nowhere to go ) but I plan on filling up next time I am out and see if it reaches all the way to full or not.

I haven't noticed if it bounces when it is over 1/2 tank or not. I never pay attention to my gas until it gets to 1/4. But I really want to know what that factory problem I saw online is?

2G GS 99 if it maters.

 

[luv2rallye]

Most likely cause is a poor (corroded, rusty, dirty, loose) ground connection of the fuel tank fuel gauge sender wire.

 

[42395_skyline]

Most likely cause is a poor (corroded, rusty, dirty, loose) ground connection of the fuel tank fuel gauge sender wire.

Very simple solution to check, I should of thought of that I will check it out once I have time, and can figure out where the ground wire is xD

I filled up yesterday and set on my trip meter. I'll be watching the gauge closely to see when it starts to flip out. So far it's still sitting at full fine, as it should be.

 

[cherrymane]

My car does the same thing. i have aftermarket pump and lines etc. it is not accurate and does exactly what you said. it must be a problem with the same manufactor because i know a few people that say the same.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Anyone find a solution to this issue? I'm going through it and if I can save some money by not buying a new gauge, that'd be great....

I have tested resistance on the sending unit and the gauge, and the gauge is indeed bad, not the sending unit.

 

[Nico]

I've had a similar problem happened to me. Just under 1/2 tank the gauge stopped moving and I ran out of fuel a few times due to fuel light not working either (I found out the hard way)

I pulled the sending unit out and sprayed some brake clean onto the contacts. Seemed to fix the level gauge. Didn't fix the light, however I wasn't expecting it to.

Also I found this link to help you check your unit

How to: Test Your Fuel Level Sending Unit - Team-2G Mitsubishi Forum

 

[spyderdrifter]

I already know how to check the sending unit and have done quite well with it. Once my fuel gauge reads empty, I still have another 1/4 tank left and the resistance numbers I read from my sending unit so far haven't failed at calculating my mileage remaining. 1 gallon equals 6.8 ohms. Fully empty should read 115ohms. I even found a diagram on how to test resistance on the fuel gauge. If it reads 122ohms it's good. Mine was at 81ohms.

Also, your link is for the AWD unit, not FWD. Great info, just wrong unit


Here's the link to the info I used: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/303055-fuel-level-gauge-sending-wire.html#post151567076

And the diagram:

 

[42395_skyline]

I've had a similar problem happened to me. Just under 1/2 tank the gauge stopped moving and I ran out of fuel a few times due to fuel light not working either (I found out the hard way)

I pulled the sending unit out and sprayed some brake clean onto the contacts. Seemed to fix the level gauge. Didn't fix the light, however I wasn't expecting it to.

Also I found this link to help you check your unit

How to: Test Your Fuel Level Sending Unit - Team-2G Mitsubishi Forum

I haven't fixed mine yet so I will see when I can try this out. I have been just driving around with the trip meter to watch my fuel. I hit E around 200-215 miles and I fill up because I chicken out I always fill 9-9.9 gallons, never under or over. Isn't the tank 16.x gallons?

I already know how to check the sending unit and have done quite well with it. Once my fuel gauge reads empty, I still have another 1/4 tank left and the resistance numbers I read from my sending unit so far haven't failed at calculating my mileage remaining. 1 gallon equals 6.8 ohms. Fully empty should read 115ohms. I even found a diagram on how to test resistance on the fuel gauge. If it reads 122ohms it's good. Mine was at 81ohms.

Also, your link is for the AWD unit, not FWD. Great info, just wrong unit


Here's the link to the info I used: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/303055-fuel-level-gauge-sending-wire.html#post151567076

And the diagram:

Let me know if you fix yours and how you did it. Fixing it isn't that high on my list right now but I will try to get to it.

 

[spyderdrifter]

The tank is rated at 16.9 gal. I put 14.044 in last time I filled.

 

[May1989TalonTSiAWDst]

Maybe check the float on the arm inside the tank too, clean all the terminals, and maybe coat ground and terminals with die-elctric silicone grease. Definitely don't want electrical problem in the fuel tank.

 

[42395_skyline]

The tank is rated at 16.9 gal. I put 14.044 in last time I filled.

What did the gauge show?

Maybe check the float on the arm inside the tank too, clean all the terminals, and maybe coat ground and terminals with die-elctric silicone grease. Definitely don't want electrical problem in the fuel tank.

Good advice. I have some die-electric grease laying around I could do that once I get the time.

 

[spyderdrifter]

What did the gauge show?

What do you mean?

 

[42395_skyline]

What do you mean?

When you filled up, was the gauge on E or below? My gauge seems to hit E after 10 gallons. So below E there is another 6.9 left.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Mine will hit empty on the gauge between 170 and 180 miles. Even the fuel light comes on. But when I check the tank, there's still a 1/4 tank. When filling up, it still goes to full. It functions right, just doesn't read actual levels.

 

[luv2rallye]

It's pretty common to have 3-4 extra gallons when the gauge is on empty on our cars. On mine it isn't really empty until the needle touches the bezel edge of the gauge (which is way below the E line).

 

[spyderdrifter]

I agree, however the odometer shouldn't have only 170ish miles by the time it hits empty.

 

[42395_skyline]

It's pretty common to have 3-4 extra gallons when the gauge is on empty on our cars. On mine it isn't really empty until the needle touches the bezel edge of the gauge (which is way below the E line).

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This is what my gauge showed last fill up. I filled up 9.583 gallons so I should of had 7.317 gallons left in the tank. Feels like to me the gauge should be a little more accurate than that.