Inoperative fuel gauge

[maria24017]

Since I am getting all the kinks straightened out with my suebaroo I thought I would ask about the gas gauge.

We have been able to use the trip meter when filling it up all the way (around 360 miles is getting toward a close call) but with my salary it hurts to fill it up all the way.
The gas gauge hasn't worked correctly since the car was given to me. 90% of the time it is on empty. On occasion when I KNOW it is almost empty it will say full or 3/4's.

Any solutions to this?

The rpm gauge also doesn't like to work

[rallyak]

It sounds like the sensor in the tank, it an easy fix.

[maria24017]

Advance has one for $17. Will that be OK?

[rallyak]

Not sure, but easy to pull out to compair. The sensor is on the left side(drivers side) of the tank. Their is an access panal in the trunk (sedan) or under carpet ( wagon) unbolt it and pull it out. Then you could take an ohm meter and confirm that it bad.

[rallyak]

I took some pics of my spare for my cars.

[maria24017]

Thanks for the info. I took mine out. I have a sedan and had to lay in the trunk with my legs hanging out, people driving by probably thought I was crazy. I intended just to drive over to advance and grab the part but they couldn't find it in the computer. Turns out it is a universal part
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... fragment-4

We did try cleaning the unit but it isn't working. We'll have to hook a voltage meter up to it tomorrow and see what I can find out.

Do you think the universal one would work?? They aren't exactly alike or anything. It says for use with fuel level gauges and 5" - 26" deep tanks

[rallyak]

I would stick with oem one either used or new. I believe you can make it work but not sure how accurate or the install.

[Legacy777]

There are actually two level senders, one of the passenger side and one of the driver's side. Their combined resistance will give the total fuel level. I ended up having to replace both of my senders because they were causing erratic fuel levels.

These are unfortunatley only something you can get from the dealer.

Pages 44-48 of the 90 Legacy wiring diagrams has info on the wiring diagrams and resistances. You can use this info to test the current senders and verify that they are bad vs. something in the wiring.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... agrams.zip

[maria24017]

The gauge randomly started working a week and a half ago and hasn't stopped. If you put gas in the needle doesn't go up right away but does after you turn the car off then back on.

I will probably still clean the second sending until though, since the first was pretty dirty.

[Legacy777]

It will probably stop working again....it's kind of normal for them to work and then not work.

[91Beater]

I have a FWD wagon with one sensor. Can I get a generic $17 sensor or do I have to spend a lot of $$ at the stelaer?

[phxmotor]

Isnt this what wrecking yards are for? A dealer part for this seems illogical.

[91Beater]

Isnt this what wrecking yards are for? A dealer part for this seems illogical.

Not for me.
Either new aftermarket or OEM for something like this.

Wrecking yards are great for something that you can check on the spot and immune from intermittent issues.
Headlight assembly, interior trims, body, etc.

Things that need replacement due to wear and tear failures aren't something to be bought at wrecking yard. If many of us are having problems here, many used parts with similar amounts of use are bound to be worn.

fuel sender, HVAC unit, A/C compressor are no-no.

A/C compressor... I bought used one from the forum. Internally faulty.
Bought second used one from eBay. Internally faulty.
Finally bought a new one. AC works great.

The refrigerant had to be charged and recovered each time. This was a waste of time and money.