Tonight after taking my car for a spin after a 4 day garage vacation, I ran into a problem with the gas gauge. I get about 240 miles to the tank. I had 190 miles and a 1/4 of a tank left before leaving the driveway.

After hitting 6.5 RPM with half throttle in 1st and 2nd gear, I noticed the gas gauge started to light up one by one until it stopped at 3/4 full.

Whats up with that? I stop, turned it off and on twice and it still states 3/4 full. I even took off the gas cap and put it back on with no resolution.

Anyone else had this problem? I will take it in for warranty work but what might cause this problem?

Also, I always fill up with Shell V-power since I bought it new. It has 9,000 miles now.


Thanks,

Mike

 

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It's possible the sending unit is faulty, or the gauge. You'll need to take it on to the dealer to have it checked out.

Sulfur in fuel can effect the sending unit's resitance and cause the "doesn't read full" condition.

 

So, is this my fault? Will it be under warranty?

 

Of course it's not "your" fault but you need to give the dealer a chance to correct this before you start getting defensive.

I've never heard of what SlowS2k said about sulfur in the fuel. It wouldn't surprise me if the dealer hadn't either.

Just take it in and "politely" let them know of your concerns are. Chances are, they'll just fix it and that will be the end of it, hopefully!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

Sulfur contamination was common on the 98 Accord's sending unit. (in my region at least) There was a TSB with an updated sending unit. The same symptom occured on other vehicles as well.

If the tank is full and the gauge doesn't read full it's either a sending unit, the gauge or the wiring in between. Most likely the sending unit. It has the moving parts and varible resistance.

You can bench test the sending unit, but it has to be removed from the car.