Gas Gauge Level Fix

Excellent writeup.
now I know why my tank wouldn't fill up all way in the winter. Its been behaving lately though... not sure if my excessive use of fuel injector cleaner
had anything to do with it :tongue:. Either way, this is definitely worth doing. Just wondering if there is a better way to clean it instead of an eraser.
Could an eraser leave any sort of film that may also effect the fuel sensors?
 
Hmmm, let us know if you come across anything other than an eraser. When I did mine the very first time. That oxidation layer on top of the contact leads was so hard that I had to rub it with the eraser quite a bit to clean them up. I doubt any spray on solvent can clean it up!
 
ok so I did this DIY a couple of days ago and so far my gauge has been cooperating... I guess it did the trick... thanks la_fx35!:good:
 
I came across this thread when I was searching for an answer to why my FX gas gauge needle was not going all the way to full just after a fill up at the gas station. I have followed Handy Andy's fantastic tutorial. I am happy to report that after two years of frustration my fuel gauge needle now goes all the way to full! From a former ASE Certified Mechanic, Handy Andy, THANK YOU!

A few notes

1) Definitely do this when the gas tank is NOT full.
2) Wait for a cool day versus doing this on a warm or hot day. A cool day will mean less vapors to deal with.
3) For the sensor on the passengers side. There is a power connector inside the tank that connects to the fuel pump. The jacket for this wiring make get caught between the pump and the edge of the access hole in the tank making it seem like the assembly will not lift out of the tank unless the connector is disconnected. That is not the case. Just gently push the cable jacket in towards the pump and that will momentarily release it from getting caught on the tank access hole edge. There is no need to disconnect the power cable that goes to the fuel pump Just lift up the entire assembly and set it side ways atop the tank.
4) My silver leads did not look as dirty as the photos in this thread, but I clean them anyways and they did get a tiny bit shinier with several gentle rubs with a pencil eraser. So definitely clean the leads even if they do not "look" dirty or black to you.
5) Send a note back to this thread thanking Handy Andy!
 
Welcome to :iS2:
Hahaha, nice. Glad to hear it works and hope it keeps working. I had clean mine a couple of times since. Not sure if the type/brand of gas would cause this deposit on the leads.
 
I did the procedure on the driver's side only and it worked for about a week, and now is acting up again (2003 with 140K miles, unknown if anything has been done in the past). I will probably do the passenger's side, but hesitated due to the possible fuel spraying issue. Does it spray from the pump side or the hose / engine side? After looking at the top of the sender/pump, wouldn't it be possible to clamp the hose, unhook it, do the procedure and then unclamp it? Also, will the o-ring seals need to be replaced (the driver's side looked good)?
 
The driver side just electrical connector. No pump, so won't be any fuel spray. To avoid the spray, I would do the pump side (passenger) when the tank is low (1/4 left in the tank?) or pull the pump fuse found in the third fuse box in the the engine bay behind the battery.
 
Just did it again today. This time cleaned the leads with "Magic Eraser". Gauge went from 1/4 to 1/2 after cleaning. Will see for how long it's going to last this time:ninja:
 
Update. Just put the full tank of fuel couple hours ago, gauge shows 3/4. I give up, something else is wrong for sure...any ideas???


• •
 
Well, I have given up too. I replace the car! Just kidding. I was going to get the pump and sensor replaced.
 
zebra 555.. did u remove the whole sending unit on the passengers side? if you did, you had to remove the hose connecting inside the fuel pump.. make sure that "that" hose does not hamper the movement of the floater inside the tank when you placed it back.. also when you cleaned the contact leads, did you check that it was making contact with the metal sensor all thru out?.. i asked because i did this "cleaning" a couple of times on my g35 coupe which i sold this year and in my opinion, since you already have the unit out, u need to remove the floater and bend the bar that makes contact to the leads making sure that it indeed touches all of them.. you want to make sure that it makes a small clicking sound as it touches every contact leads.. do this on both sending units.. hope this helps
 
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