Fuel problem 92 SL2

Yea - I occasionally have the same problem in the cold. The fuel gauge will start swinging all over until the car warms up...In the summer it's fine....To solve this problem, I push the trip meter when I get gas. I know in 250 miles I have to get more. It's a '92 and if you really want to put that much time and/or money/effort into a 13 year old Saturn - bless ya! (then again, you didn't say how many miles are on it - I guess I'm just saying that because mine's my beater 60 mile round trip a day work car...)

I understand that the fuel pumps are very expensive. If it aint broke don't fix it. The cost of parts and labor will buy you a lot of gas.

Use a multi meter to test the output of the tank unit before you get in a hurry to drop the tank. check for good grounds and for corrosion in any connectors. If the problem is in the dash it may be possible to mount a different gauge. If you must change the pump make sure to use a good gasket with the correct sealer (not silicone) or the tank will leak when over filled.

As another poster suggests you can use your trip odometer. If you loan your car you can be sure they will put some gas in it.

Unfortunately my trip odometer failed as a result of the same T-bone crash that killed the tank fuel pump. I cannot think of a reasonable explanation as to why either of these were damaged in this accident. My fuel gauge was not damaged and works fine.

I always write the odometer reading on my gas receipts and then enter the data into a spreadsheet to keep track of expenses and act as a service log. By keeping a column to calc consumption rate you will be able to see that if mpg falls off you may need new plugs or wires.

As always YMMV

If it's not a crisis (need the car to go to work), try and repair the sender. Most senders have an arm that floats in the gas. On the other end of the arm is a metal plate. If the plastic has weakend, it will separate from the metal. You can usually fix this with a zip tie. Worst case is you have to wait a day for a new sender.