So I decided to repaint my gauge needles because I didn't like the shade of orange that I painted them previously...It was too dark. Closer to red than orange, but I digress. Speedo, tach, and temp all work fine. Fuel on the other hand...not so much. Before pulling the cluster out the gauge was reading about half. Pop the cluster back in and now the gauge is reading over full. My assumption was that after driving the car things would level off and the gauge would show the same reading it did before I pulled the cluster. If it matters, I only drove it about two miles. Is this something that will correct itself as I drive it, is it something that I can somehow fix, or is my gas gauge completely fucked and needing replacement?

 

Could be a short in the gauge, cluster, or wire that runs to the sending unit in the tank. Given your recent work with the gauge and cluster, start there.

 

Anything in particular that I'll notice if there's a short? Electrical isn't something that I've had too much experience with...

 

My gas gauge did the same thing on my integra after removing the cluster to install LED lights. However, i unplugged the plugs, and re plugged them in and it corrected itself. I know it seems silly, but try that.

 

Short to ground (continuity to body ground) detected with a multimeter.

 

Definitely worth a try. Also check for damaged terminals in the connector.

 

I'll check those tomorrow. Thanks for the input.

 

i had the same exact thing happen in my EJ1, when i removed the Gauge face, i accidentally bumped the needle with my hand, and it changed the position of the needle. I put it back in, and my fuel gauge said above full. when i took it apart a second time, i was inspecting it, and noticed that the super thin copper wire that creates the coil on the back side of the gauge had broken where it was connected to the board. i wasn't able to fix it, and had to get another one. (I'm sure it can be done though, i just didn't have the ability to repair the wire)