Fuel Gauge fluctuating ALOT

[Need4Camaro]

I know its normal to have some fluctuating in our fuel gauges, but this is being erratic. It usually only happens when I come to a stop but it is jumping from 1/4 of a tank to Full tank and fluctuates everywhere between there, then it will stop on the 3/4's mark and slowly return to normal - Also ..I put about $20 in yesterday when the tank had less than 1/4 in it, and that's about 7 gallons of gas... Well I drove about 100 miles but when I came home the gauge is saying I still have over half a tank... I know my car makes good fuel mileage but I'm not trusting that reading... I went back out for another 25 mile drive and the gauge went down and is sitting between half a tank and a quarter, but I don't wanna go out there and run out of gas... The needle fluctuated then too...

What could be causing this?

[Rob Bell]

Re: Fuel Gauge fluctuating ALOT

Sounds like you need a new fuel sender. Or there could be a bad ground. I'm betting fuel sender though. You'd have to drop the tank or cut an access hole (lots of posts about that). Or live with it and use the trip odometer and monitor your mileage. If you know approx how many miles it should go between fill ups, you'll be safe. If you're not sure, I'd suggest filling it up at 300 miles, and see how many gallons it took to fill it up. Then adjust it from there.

Mine's a 2002 and gets about 325 miles city driving and 400+ highway. That's a big difference. So you need to account for that if you are going to count miles.

To have the tank dropped and fixed is about $1200. That's why many people cut an access hole.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: Fuel Gauge fluctuating ALOT

Sounds like you need a new fuel sender. Or there could be a bad ground. I'm betting fuel sender though. You'd have to drop the tank or cut an access hole (lots of posts about that). Or live with it and use the trip odometer and monitor your mileage. If you know approx how many miles it should go between fill ups, you'll be safe. If you're not sure, I'd suggest filling it up at 300 miles, and see how many gallons it took to fill it up. Then adjust it from there.

Mine's a 2002 and gets about 325 miles city driving and 400+ highway. That's a big difference. So you need to account for that if you are going to count miles.

To have the tank dropped and fixed is about $1200. That's why many people cut an access hole.

If I cut an access hole, what are the chances of my sending myself into orbit after striking a fuel line?

[shock_core]

Re: Fuel Gauge fluctuating ALOT

Cut the hole. Just be careful to not go too deep. Its really easy if you take your time. I did it. Trust me, its cake and worth your time.

[lil' jon]

Re: Fuel Gauge fluctuating ALOT

I have this same problem. I have a new fuel sending unit sitting in a box too but that seems like a big job. I figure my car gets about 20mpg so I just use the tripmeter and go from there. I run out of gas all the time though haha.

[blackandgold]

Re: Fuel Gauge fluctuating ALOT

In my 94 the float wasn't really lubricated anymore so i just took care of that with a hole and it was a little better, still went over full when full, and wouldn't get near empty.

Cutting the hole is not a big deal, so don't sweat that, but dropping the tank isn't too bad, have to drop the axle and exhaust I think, but then you can get it dipped and totally taken care of for even more worry freeness.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Fuel Gauge fluctuating ALOT

There's a good, detailed writeup floating around somewhere, you have to search though. Gives measurements and everything.