My fuel gauge is always reading empty.
The needle doesn't flicker or anything...its just dead.

This sucks...now I have to monitor my miles so I'll know when to get more gas.

Anyone know how to fix this? Is there a fuel sending unit in the gas tank or something? Please don't tell me my instrument panel is bad.

Please help.

 

Ok when did the fuel gauge first die on you? Notice anything else correlating with the fuel gauge not working (dome light won't come on, something like that?) check your fuses. If worse comes to worse, you could have a bad sending unit in your tank, which is not fun to remove, but can be done. If your other gauges are working, I would highly doubt the panel would be bad, maybe just the gauge, which can be replaced in a matter of an hour or two. Check the fuses and the like first.

 

I had the fuel pump replaced a month ago. I did notice the fuel gauge wasn't reading accurate based on the amount of gas I put in but didn't think it was serious. I thought I was just burning more gas. I had the work done at a shop. I haven't seen how easy/difficult it is to get into the gas tank. Is it easy/hard?

 

Cliff, I had the same problem about a year ago, and it turned out that when I put my new pump in, there was a little brown clip that snaps on to the floater, and I didn't get it on right, I hate to say it, but you may have to get down and dirty and check that.

 

Ok, if I were you, I would take that car right back to the shop and tell them your fuel gauge hasn't worked right since they replaced the pump. Getting that tank out of a thirdgen is a PAIN. If you want to do it correctly, the rear end of the car has to come off to get it. But that all sounds to me like the sending unit was not reinstalled properly or may have come loose in the past month. If they won't take care of it, myself or others here will be more than happy to give you the steps to do it. I just changed mine, and it's not something I would want to do again.

 

...sigh...I'm gonna take my car back to the shop and explain the problem and i bet you they'll say its not their fault since it was fine when i left the shop the first time. I'll try not to get ugly.

I dunno if I wanna tackle trying to remove the fuel tank. Sounds like a bunch of work getting the exhaust out the way and not bending any brake lines. Maybe I'll try. I always feel good when I can do my own repairs and save a few bucks. How long do you think it'll take to do the job? I have experience replacing my front suspension.

Do you have any suggestions for mods while I have the tank out? Get a better fuel pump?

 

It took me and my dad about 3.5 to 4 hours to do the complete tear down and put back together, and that included dinner in the middle of the job. It also helped to have an impact wrench on hand.

 

Most reputable shops will warrant their repair work, I would at least see if they'll fix it. Once you get the rear axle out of the way, dropping the tank is not as hard, but still a little tricky. When I did mine, I was going to make the filler neck a 2 piece so it would come out easier if there was a next time, but I got lazy If you want to, now's the time to put some new or different shocks on there since you have to unbolt them. Exhaust has to be dropped. Thinking about a different muffler? may as well now. If you want to spend the cash, you could get the Walbro fuel pump, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the new pump you already have.

 

Does anyone know the price of a fuel sending unit?

I called the dealer and they quoted me $421.
They kept asking me if it was the 'meter' ?

I told them I'm not exactly sure what the term is and explained my situation...in the end, I was given that price for a 'meter'. Apparently, they don't have 'fuel sending uinit' listed in their database.

Is that right?