Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

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Old Jan 15, 2019 | 06:41 PM
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efdave's Avatar
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Default Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

1989 Honda Civic si 1.6l
all stock everything..
fuel level is always on full and every once in a blue moon the fuel needle will drop Down and give me a brief reading..then shoot back up to full..hasn’t dropped down in a while.. I’ve never messed with the wires everything is untouched .
​​​​thanks
-dave
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Old Jan 16, 2019 | 02:22 PM
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

I believe the sending unit can be accessed from under the back seat, but the pump itself cannot. Undo the single 10mm bolt on the center back *** part of the cushion, then it lifts up and out. Under that cover is where the sending unit hides.

Here is the official procedure:

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Old Jan 17, 2019 | 05:40 PM
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

Also test the wire that runs from the cluster to the fuel sending unit for a short to ground.
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Old Jan 17, 2019 | 08:05 PM
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

Our minivan was doing this.
I hit the tank with a large pipe and it stopped.

i don't know if I recommend doing this though.
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Old Jan 18, 2019 | 09:18 AM
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efdave's Avatar
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

Ok I have a brick laying in the yard I’ll just use that
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Old Jan 18, 2019 | 10:20 AM
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

Originally Posted by efdave
1989 Honda Civic si 1.6l
all stock everything..
fuel level is always on full and every once in a blue moon the fuel needle will drop Down and give me a brief reading..then shoot back up to full..hasn’t dropped down in a while.. I’ve never messed with the wires everything is untouched .
​​​​thanks
-dave
wonder how you were able to get one of these in this day and age?!
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Old Jan 18, 2019 | 10:39 AM
  #7  
efdave's Avatar
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From: Crestline ca
Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

It’s a funny story but I got it off the original owner
hew was an old Air Force pilot ,
it was his grocery getter
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Old Jan 18, 2019 | 10:52 AM
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efdave's Avatar
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams


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Old Oct 9, 2020 | 11:31 AM
  #9  
efdave's Avatar
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

Soooooo. Ended up getting a few sending units and still stuck with the same problem I’m about to pull the cluster out. What should I do from there if the gauge is broken how do I fix it
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Old Oct 9, 2020 | 12:12 PM
  #10  
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

You clearly have a short to ground in the fuel gauge circuit. You should have used a multimeter to test for this possibility earlier.
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Old Oct 10, 2020 | 03:27 PM
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efdave's Avatar
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

Correct I understand that, I still have all the seats out and everything and I was gonna go through and test it with a multi meter. If I do have a ground a short how does that wire run to the cluster is it under the carpet ???And how should I go about by fixing it???
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Old Oct 10, 2020 | 03:39 PM
  #12  
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Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

One step at a time...

Unplug the sending unit connector. On the wire harness side of the connector, use your multimeter to test the fuel gauge wire pin for a short to ground.
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Old Oct 12, 2020 | 07:24 PM
  #13  
efdave's Avatar
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From: Crestline ca
Default Re: Fuel level always full (running on hopes n dreams

I tested it... buddy came by with a multimeter and from what I was getting from it is that it’s grounding out some where from the plug foreword to the cluster... as of where I’m not to sure yet but I’m thinking the little fine wires in the cluster is going to be the problem ..... this car has never been fooled with or anything like that so I believe old age might have something to do with that .
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