Topic: Fuel gauge indication.

[HomerJay]

Hi folks,

my fuel gauge needle (67) is adjusted exactly at Empty, but shows more than full even if the tank is just half full.
What could the problem be and how to fix it?

Thanks Homer

[midlife]

Most likely scenario is that the fuel float inside the tank has lost some buoyancy (e.g. leaks) and won't rise all the way up.  This is pretty typical.

[HomerJay]

But shouldn't be the indication always to low instead of to high in that case?

[midlife]

Low indication means "low fuel" or the fuel float sitting low in the tank.  If it is partially flooded, it will sink to the level of buoyancy, which is dependent upon the amount of fuel above and movement available.  If true, you're a hair's breath away from it always reading zero.

When your tank is nearly empty, remove the sending unit and see if the float is able to rise up in a bucket of water with the sending unit frame oriented as though it was on the tank.  It should rise to the surface of the water, regardless of water level.  If it does, check for resistance across the sending unit: ~73 ohms at the lowest point, ~13 ohms at the highest point.

[Daisy]

If you are going to have the sending unit out anyway, I would recommend just replacing it.

You could also jumper the connector at the sending unit to a good ground and see if the gas gauge goes to full...