Fuel Gauge Stuck Past Full

dvldoc

Registered User
I just picked up a 92 SC the only issue it's got is the fuel gauge is stuck on full. Which i did not find out until the sucker ran out of gas on me. I have done a search and some say the sending unit and some say it will correct itself.

Anyone had this issue and actually did the fix themself

Thanks.
 
My 89SC had a problem similar to it. It would stick at the halfway mark. Same thing, didnt know till I ran out. It corrected itself. But I wouldn't/couldn't say the same thing about yours. Hit the tank a couple times when it is half full and it still registers full...might jar the lever from being stuck.

Or drop the tank and get another sending unit...I think I might have one laying around, from my 89 XR7...:D
 
There is a problem with the sending units used in these tanks. They are very susceptible to contamination from the sulphur is the formulation of some brands of gasoline. The amount of sulphur fluctuates by brand, region and time of year.
Sulphur contamination of fuel senders acts EXACTLY like the symptoms you are describing: Shows either always full, empty or half.
There are government standards, but sometimes an unusually 'rich' batch of gas gets to the pumps. 2 years ago in Florida, all the Shell/Texaco gas stations were shut down for an entire 3-day weekend due to high sulphur content discovered during random tests. The gas was removed and replaced...a big expense no doubt!
Anyway, The only known effective method to clean the sender is through the use of the chemical polyetheramine. This is the main active ingrediant in Chevron's 'Techron' fuel cleaning additive found in thier gasoline. The same chemical (PEA) is also leasd and used by Shell in all thier grades of gas, which Shell calls 'V-Power'.
The concentrations found in pump gas are not strong enough to effect a change in a heavily coated sender, so go to the store (Wal-Mart, maybe) and get TWO bottles of 'Techron' fuel additive and put both of them in with a full tank of gas and do not add more gas until almost empty. If an exceptionally large fuel tank (over 22 gallons) use 3 bottles.
You will be surprised that it works...but it does!
 
Hmm, when I bought my car I filled it up and it wouldn't go past the halfway mark, but did show almost empty before filling it.

Either way I switched to a 93 tank and sending unit, but does this sound like I had the same problem?

I havent ran the car since putting the new tank/sending unit in yet so I guess I'll find out this spring sometime:rolleyes: hopefully by then
 
First I did when I noticed my LX was sticking at 1/4 was to open up the gauge cluster and very gently swung the needle back and forth through its full range..... ever since its worked like a charm. Try that before you start getting into the harder things like dropping the fuel tank etc.
 
I've randomly had that problem as well. It will peg out of the blue, stick for a few days and then go back to normal. It's very infrequent and only lasts for a few days. It started after my tank was dropped once. The tank's been in and out a couple more times since then and it hasn't done it in a long time now. I was thinking that it was a connection problem at a plug or ground. We have gone to low sulfur gas here in GA so that may also account for the gauge not pegging for awhile now.
 
I just picked up a 92 SC the only issue it's got is the fuel gauge is stuck on full. Which i did not find out until the sucker ran out of gas on me. I have done a search and some say the sending unit and some say it will correct itself.

Anyone had this issue and actually did the fix themself

Thanks.

You musta thought you were getting GREAT gas milage:p

you could potentially have a short in the electrical system. When i El Caminoed my 91 Buick century, when chopping the body apart i cut the harness that went to the back to work the tail lights, fuel pump, Fuel tank gauge, trunk light etc. I taped everything back together, but the one for the fuel gauge must have been a little loose because sometimes the tank would peg full and i would have to "jiggle" the splice to get the gauge to read properly. Might wanna check wires before dropping the tank....it's free.
 
My car is doing the exact same thing, but was working fine until a fill up, and never went back down. Some other things to check are: turn your key on and off rapidly and watch for the fuel needle to be going down just a bit every time your key goes on, I can run mine down to empty this way then with the key on it will drive back up. That eliminates a stuck needle without any tools. You can then take your cluster out and look for the small card thats plugged in on the right side, its the "slosh module" if it comes loose, and they do, it can cause all sorts of guage mayhem, also a good time to pull it out and clean the contacts. The connector on these tanks is known to melt down also. The only things I havent tried is a boatload of fuel tank cleaner, but im sure my sending unit is trashed. Good luck. :)
 
I had my trunk loaded with stuff from Sam's including 16 cases of soda. Then went and filled up with gas. About 150 miles later I noticed that the needle was still on full. I had just changed fuel pumps to a 190 LPH on the factory sender unit about 6 months ago. I didn't want to drop the tank and replace the sending unit so I was ready to try anything. From about 30 mph I slammed on the brakes on dry pavement and got the ABS working and the g-forces from the panic stop freed up the sending float and I haven't had any trouble in like 5 years.
 
Have had this happen to several cars. K sullivan further up has hit the nail on the head with the corrosion. I have used chevron fuel with techron to solve the problem. Was not aware it could be purchased pre bottled.
 
i had this problem on my Escort. It was a broken wire in the tank for the sending unit. Pulled the sending unit repaired the wire and back to guage heaven. Fortunately all I had to do was remove the rear seat for access.

sean
 
First I did when I noticed my LX was sticking at 1/4 was to open up the gauge cluster and very gently swung the needle back and forth through its full range..... ever since its worked like a charm. Try that before you start getting into the harder things like dropping the fuel tank etc.

I would try this first as well. Had 2 birds that were stuck on way past full. Turned out to be the guage on both cars but you can`t rule out the sending unit. Make sure the wires are plugged all the way in on the guage cluster. Have seen this problem too.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fturner
First I did when I noticed my LX was sticking at 1/4 was to open up the gauge cluster and very gently swung the needle back and forth through its full range..... ever since its worked like a charm. Try that before you start getting into the harder things like dropping the fuel tank etc.

I would try this first as well. Had 2 birds that were stuck on way past full. Turned out to be the guage on both cars but you can`t rule out the sending unit. Make sure the wires are plugged all the way in on the guage cluster. Have seen this problem too.

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I concur, I had the same problem in my 92, and it is the guage, not the sender. It's a common problem and most likely and would be the first thing to check. Otherwise reset your trip meter whenever you gas up, and refill at 350-400 km. :p
 
not trying to jack the post but my 94 lx has this similar problem the needle is stuck way past full and the low fuel light is on at the same time....whats the deal here?
 
Hey all. Mine has a similar problem but is fixed by barly tapping on the clear gauge cover. I gave up. It's accurate with in a half a tank. I rely on the Info center console to let me know when I'm low. Removing and cleaning th gauges did nothing. Remember the old VW's had a light come on letting you know the tank was empty and you were on the reserve tank? That's how I use my light.

Nick
 
I've tried just about all the tricks above, still stuck pass full, I'm going to pull the cluster and see if i can track down the problem. Does anyone have a better description of where the slosh module is located at or a pic?

Thanks
 
It is on the right side of the cluster, it is a circuit board. If you cant find it, I posted a pic not long ago. I will search to see if it still comes up.
 
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