What's Up with My Fuel Gauge?

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Feb 21, 2014 | 02:20 PM

#11

soulstep

1st Gear

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 152

From: Manitoba, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalMan

Just thought I would address this point: The tanks are supposed to hold 16 gallons. When my fuel light goes on, I fill up less than 14 gallons (usually ~13.5-13.8).

Once the pump clicks off, unless you know it didn't fill up completely (like shutting off after a couple gallons), don't fill up any further. You'll do damage to your charcoal canister, and over time this can make filling up more and more difficult.

I did not know that. That's good information to know! And to tell the gas companies who fill our cars for us (they always try to increase it to the next .50 or dollar).

Feb 21, 2014 | 02:56 PM

#12

MetalMan

3rd Gear

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 1,973

From: Costa Mesa, SoCal

Ah, I didn't even think about full service gas stations. Much of the U.S. has self-service gas stations.

Feb 21, 2014 | 06:59 PM

#13

adam044

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 702

From: New Hampshire

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalMan

I know it's not good to put more gas in once the pump shuts off. I only did it because it was telling me it was completely empty and I knew 11 gallons wasn't enough to fill it when it shut off. I know now that the gauge is just off which I didn't know before I did it.

Feb 26, 2014 | 07:37 PM

#14

adam044

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 702

From: New Hampshire

Hoping I get a chance to look at this this weekend. So if it is the wire what should I replace the wire with? Any specific gauge or something? Figured I would ask now so I can be prepared.

I wonder what the problem will end up being. Hopefully it's just dirty contacts or something.

Feb 26, 2014 | 07:52 PM

#15

mtroxel

2nd Gear

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,272

From: Minnesota

I just used the finest stranded copper I could find. That wire twists, slightly, every time the float moves, so you need something with a lot of flexibility.

Feb 26, 2014 | 07:56 PM

#16

adam044

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 702

From: New Hampshire

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtroxel

I just used the finest stranded copper I could find. That wire twists, slightly, every time the float moves, so you need something with a lot of flexibility.

So something you could find at a Home Depot or similar place?

Feb 26, 2014 | 07:57 PM

#17

mtroxel

2nd Gear

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,272

From: Minnesota

Sure. Copper is copper.

Feb 26, 2014 | 08:00 PM

#18

adam044

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 702

From: New Hampshire

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtroxel

Sure. Copper is copper.

Ok. Is it most likely the copper wire that's the problem?

Feb 26, 2014 | 08:01 PM

#19

mtroxel

2nd Gear

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,272

From: Minnesota

No idea. It's a common problem with that part but I'm not making any bets. Invest $0.79 in a piece of copper stranded just in case. You only need about 2 inches.

Feb 26, 2014 | 08:05 PM

#20

adam044

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 702

From: New Hampshire

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtroxel

No idea. It's a common problem with that part but I'm not making any bets. Invest $0.79 in a piece of copper stranded just in case. You only need about 2 inches.

Sounds good thanks