Some easy to answer questions about my fuel sending unit.

[gusu]

Let me start at the beginning. My gas gauge used to work 100%. I could check the miles vs the amount of gas put in and it would be dead on every time. But a few weeks ago I went to fill up and it never would go all the way up, it would always show about 1/8 of a tank low.

It is STILL accurate but you have to read it as if it was 1/8 less than where it is at. What I am wondering is if a fuel sending unit typically does this when it goes bad? Also could the float just be stuck and be unable to float to the top? However I don't see how this would happen because I would think it would just sit there until i got to that point with the gas level then go down regularly.

I also can't seem to find any information on replacing the fuel sending unit other than that since my car is AWD it is in the trunk with a few screws holding the cover on it. I was wondering what a proper procedure would be to remove it, also my screws are not rusted and when I messed with them they broke loose. So I was wondering if I could take it out with out having to empty the tank since there is no chance at having to drill them out (at least I wouldn't think so).

The other question I have is if I can just take the float and make sure it is not stuck. But I'd assume it would be under the fuel sending unit so I'd have to remove that totally to, would that be correct? Fortunately I've never had to deal with one before but I guess it is another thing I can say I know how to do, once I do it.

 

[ramsack]

The fuel pump and level sending unit and float are all one unit. It's actually more dangerous to have a spark around an empty tank with vapors than a full tank of gas, but you're lucky the nuts come off the studs all good. It's more likely the wirewound potentiometer that gives the gas gauge the signal is wearing out, than the float becoming totally stuck. The gas gauge itself getting stuck is also more likely, but it's easy to take out the sending unit and check the resistances.

 

[gusu]

The fuel pump and level sending unit and float are all one unit. It's actually more dangerous to have a spark around an empty tank with vapors than a full tank of gas, but you're lucky the nuts come off the studs all good. It's more likely the wirewound potentiometer that gives the gas gauge the signal is wearing out, than the float becoming totally stuck. The gas gauge itself getting stuck is also more likely, but it's easy to take out the sending unit and check the resistances.

Thanks for your post. I'll look into that then