It started a couple weeks ago...when I'd fill up the tank, it would show about 1/8 tank less than full. I filled up the tank yesterday, because the fuel warning light was on and it was showing about 1/8 tank remaining, and the gauge has remained at 1/8 tank with the light on! Tried shutting down the van, re-starting, etc, but it still shows the same.
Any good ideas on what the problem is? The gauge?...something in the tank?
Thanks!
E. Reed
The fuel level sensor uses an etched pc board and a sliding contact (attached to the float arm) to measure fuel level. The etchings wear out far too soon (IMHO) and cause the loss of contact (infinite resistance), which makes the gauge read empty and activates the light. Usually there are bad spots where the gauge and light seem to go crazy, but then it clears up when the sliding contact moves to a good spot. I was able to live with the problemm for a fairly long time because the bad spot began at about 3/4 tank level and ended around 1/2 tank level. It cleared up when it counted . . . at lower tank levels. However, the bad spot kept growing, so I replaced the sensor. Not a difficult job, but messy.
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