Gas light on at 3/4, Steering problems

[pelco]

I have a '92 Talon N/T and I've been noticing some issues with steering in the past couple of days. Steering seems tight and the wheel seems to jerk around by itself at low speeds. The harder I accelerate in lower gears, the more wheel is out of control. I also have a problem with my gas warning light. I just put $20 in my tank and a little while after my gas light came on. The needle shows 3/4 in the tank. The light came on slowly, it was dim then got brigher, and seems to be staying on. If anyone can help with either one of the problems, I'd appreciate it. Maybe they're both related?

 

[Talesin]

The gas issue is likely unrelated. The jerking wheel (usually to one direction, and very rhythmically, right?) sounds like one of your inner CV joints is dying/dead. Get it looked at. If that's the problem and you let it slide, it'll keep getting worse to the point of undrivable. Only know this because I let mine go, and I think it may have damaged my steering rack. :b

 

[pelco]

The gas light never came on today when I drove it, I don't know what the problem was there. As for the the steering, it's like driving on a lumpy gravel road when the road's perfectly even. I didn't feel too bad today, but the steering is still a little off.

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

Talesin said what I was thinking. I would check the axle assemblies for binding. The boot may not be torn and does not have to be to have a bad cv joint.

Does the gauge read properly through the usage of your fuel? What I am asking is if it is at a half a tank and you fill it is it around 7 gallons or so? Try it at a couple of different levels. Start at a half a tank and fill it. Note how many gallons it took. Do it again at 1/4 tank and see what it takes to fill. If this is good, I am going to have to go look at the schematics I have at my shop to see what you have. The light is set to come on when you have around 40 miles or so of fuel in your tank. This would be associated with the sending unit reaching a certain amount of resistance preset at the factory.

Good Luck

 

[pelco]

Guess what, your'e exactly right about the CV joint. I wasn't thinking. I had both tie rod ends replaced in the spring along with a parking brake cable, and the shop called me and told me that my CV joint on one side had a torn boot and should be replaced, but I told them not to do it quite then because it was going to be too expensive. The cars going in the garage pretty soon for the winter, so in the spring I'll take it to the shop to get fixed. I also need new struts, so I'll get it all done at the same time. Better start saving now. About that gas light, the gauge seems to be accurate but I never tested it. The weird thing is it came on one day, and the next day didn't, even though I didn't fill in between. I know there's got to be at least 7 gallons of gas in it. Probably around 10.