Spastic fuel guage

bobneon2k · Post by **bobneon2k** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:00 pm

The fuel guage on my 00 highline MTX fluctuates. it will stay at 1 reading for a while then suddenly it will be at another reading for a while. it is always within an 1/8 of a tank tho. It will be at 3/4 for a while then be at halfway between 1/2 and 3/4. The previous owner had the gas tank changed about 6 months ago could this have anything to do with the problem?

I'm thinking I should just change the guage and see what happens. That should be easy enough to do right?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:14 pm

Changing the gauge would require getting another cluster, and a lot of PITA to swap them. Most likely, it is the sender that is bad.

Changing senders is also not a simple task. You will have to remove the fuel pump module from the tank, it will need to be near empty to be safe you won't get a gasoline bath.

Then the canister will need pried apart carefully so the wires can be removed from the connector inside. You could maybe cut them, but then unless you solder/heat shrink them they may not give the best reading, and you will be back to where you are now. You have to hope the heat shrink is resistant to gasoline too.

I have read that the canister can be rotated, or "re clocked" to get a more accurate sender reading.

After removing mine, I'm gonna call BS on that. There is a locating tab in the tank/canister. The notch puts the pick up screen at direct bottom.

You might get a better gauge reading, by removing the tab and turning the canister, but you will suck air well before the fuel level is near empty.

You would need to file the tab off on the canister anyways, it isn't like you can just cut it off. Then you have to hope the empty notch in the tank ring doesn't create a leak.

bobneon2k · Post by **bobneon2k** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:27 am

so changing the gauge requires changing the entire cluster and if it's the sender then it is not something for someone who is not a mechanic to do. yet another item on the do later list.

Thanks for the info.

stdlystdmufn · Post by **stdlystdmufn** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:32 am

you could go to an autoparts store and buy the Chevron w/ techron fuel addative and run it through a tank of gas. yea its a long shot but sometimes it works with this issue. (this is not a sales pitch for buying chevron gas i have just had luck with this addative and this problem)

bobneon2k · Post by **bobneon2k** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:47 pm

is it another injector cleaner? still it can't hurt...i'll give it a shot. thanks