I purchased a used 1998 EX V6 about a week ago and the needle was just above "Empty". I filled up the tank the next day and when I started the car, the needle went to "Full", but after driving for about 10 minutes, the needle slowly dropped to about 3/4 of a tank. The next time I started the car, the needle went back to "Full", then again dropped to about 3/4 of a tank within 10 minutes or so. Now when I start it the needle just goes up to just under 3/4 of a tank. I have only driven around 40 or so miles since filling up, so there's no way I have used a quarter of a tank already. Does anyone know what the problem could be? Also, an estimate of what this might cost to fix (parts and labor)? Thanks.

 

use a multi-meter and see if you are getting constant voltage signal, if not, your sensor might be bad, but if you are getting voltage signal(tap it from the harness so you don't have to work with exposed gas in your face) constant and clear, it means your cluster might have a bad contact point, which is unlikely since all the cicuit is one piece now, vs. 2 pieces in the past.

 

1st impression sounds like a fuel sending unit acting up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MooGoCow3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1st impression sounds like a fuel sending unit acting up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've asked several different sources, and this seems to be the common response. However, no one has really answered my questions of a.) how much would this cost (parts and labor)? b.) is this something I absolutely need to fix right now, or can I let it go? c.) where's the best place to have this done?

 

i think i'll start off with the good news first.

the 6th gen gas tank does not need to be dropped to gain access to the sending unit, which save you tons and tons of labor and time.
what you need to do is,

disconnect the battery's negative terminal, and make sure it doesnt touch any metal part of the car's body.

1) remove the carpet that cover the tire and the "silver turtle",

2)remove the silver turtle(which is a silver metal plate that cover the access hole to the tank), i think there's like 3 screws.

3)upon removal you shall sell the black plastic thing, it's the housing for the fuel pump and the whole nine yard, remove all the screws(6-8)

4)once you get the last screw out of the way, remove the harness and the whole thing is free to be remove.

BUT: if you are not ready to handle the job, it should be less than half an hour of work if you bring it to the mechanic


the bad news is, you still need to make sure it's your sending unit's faulty, there's might be 20 others guys having a bad sensor and you might end up having a bad gauge.

you can find one used around20-30bucks, off ebay or junkyard.
if you have enough green to spend, go straight to honda

 

My '94 ACCORD has given erratic indications for years. It's not a problem. I get over 350 miles to a tank of gas so I use the odometer as an indicator of when to fill up. It will also run about 40 miles after the warning light comes on, so I even have a backup system.

 

It could also be how the car is parked since the fuel gauge is very picky. I have noticed when I make a hard right turn (exits of highways) my gas gauge will fluctuate about 1/4 to 1/8 of a tank then after driving for a bit it resumes normal.

Just food for thought.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .ken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It could also be how the car is parked since the fuel gauge is very picky. I have noticed when I make a hard right turn (exits of highways) my gas gauge will fluctuate about 1/4 to 1/8 of a tank then after driving for a bit it resumes normal. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Well, I thought of that. Because I know the fuel gauge would fluctuate in my old car whenever I'd go up or down a bridge or in parking garages. But my current problem occurred while just driving straight on a flat surface.

 

I have the same problem my car will not go up to full after i fill it up i dont know why most of the time it stays on a quarter to empty but dont know why?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eagleclawracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have the same problem my car will not go up to full after i fill it up i dont know why most of the time it stays on a quarter to empty but dont know why?
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Yeah, I don't know what the deal is. Most people seem to think it's the fuel sending unit, and that if I just pay attention to my mileage I really don't need to worry about fixing it. My brother used to have a 1994 LX, and he said he had the same problem but he just let it go. I'll probably not worry about it since I have other things I need to spend money on now, like replacing my illegal tint.