gas gauge not going to full

[jnkhan82]

Hey,

So for the past 2 weeks. My gauge has not gone to full after a fill up.

After a fill up, my tank goes a little past half and just stays there. I drove around for a while hoping it would go up slowly, but it just stays there. After a few days of driving, it started to go down. I let it get to the gas light and did a full fill up again, full tank. I drove around and surprising the pin crawled super slowly up to full. I was glad and thought it might have just been a glitch. So early this week I went to go fill up again and the pin is only going half way up again.

I've searched the forms and read it might be a gas sensor or I might need a new tank sensor. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

[SCHMOUPE]

sticky gas gauges are notorious in Corvettes. Supposedly with a few treatments of seafoam (?) or Techrons they get fixed. Wouldnt hurt to try in your car as well

[jnkhan82]

Originally Posted by shakib

sticky gas gauges are notorious in Corvettes. Supposedly with a few treatments of seafoam (?) or Techrons they get fixed. Wouldnt hurt to try in your car as well

Thanks! I'll pick some up tonight.

[wildag]

Same thing happens in the Z3. Use a shot of techron in your next fillup and stop using discount gasoline.

[jnkhan82]

Originally Posted by wildag

Same thing happens in the Z3. Use a shot of techron in your next fillup and stop using discount gasoline.

lol I never use discount gasoline. It happened right after I pumped gas in the bronx! freaking bronx!

[jnkhan82]

So I used the Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner 12oz. Poured in the tank.

Question, do I have to do it on every fill up until it starts working? or like after like 2-3 I should just take it in for a new sensor?

I've only used this stuff once before, but unfamiliar with using it to solve this problem. I've read on the forums it helped some Mini and vette owners. Wish it helps meee! crosses fingers. urk's me every time I look at the gauge.

[SCHMOUPE]

yup use it a few times. 2-3 i would say. Good luck

[jnkhan82]

Thanks bro!

[The HACK]

The problem isn't the fuel but "build-up" on the tank level sensors, Techron may or may not alleviate the issue, depending on why the build-up is there Techron may actually exacerbate it.

There are two tank level sensors, since there are two physical tanks in the car. If you have the car up in the air you can see this. There's a sensor in each of the tank that has a float attached to the end of a swinging arm:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...41&hg=16&fg=15

That squarish looking thingy on the top of part number 1 is the float. The car's CPU takes a look at both levels and determines what your fuel level is at, the reason why it fills to mid-way and doesn't move for a few days as the tank drains from use is because the sensor failed in the bank of the tank that drains first. As the lever arm moves up and down, a small piece of magnet moves past a gold plated sensor, if the sensor is gunked up then it doesn't show a reading.

The only real way to fix it is by replacing or reconditioning the sensor.

[jnkhan82]

Originally Posted by The HACK

The problem isn't the fuel but "build-up" on the tank level sensors, Techron may or may not alleviate the issue, depending on why the build-up is there Techron may actually exacerbate it.

There are two tank level sensors, since there are two physical tanks in the car. If you have the car up in the air you can see this. There's a sensor in each of the tank that has a float attached to the end of a swinging arm:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...41&hg=16&fg=15

That squarish looking thingy on the top of part number 1 is the float. The car's CPU takes a look at both levels and determines what your fuel level is at, the reason why it fills to mid-way and doesn't move for a few days as the tank drains from use is because the sensor failed in the bank of the tank that drains first. As the lever arm moves up and down, a small piece of magnet moves past a gold plated sensor, if the sensor is gunked up then it doesn't show a reading.

The only real way to fix it is by replacing or reconditioning the sensor.

So out of the two sensors, I'm assuming it's my second 1st one? the one reading from Full to 1/2? shtt $300 smackers! funnn

[esqu1re]

Originally Posted by jnkhan82

So out of the two sensors, I'm assuming it's my second 1st one? the one reading from Full to 1/2? shtt $300 smackers! funnn

From your symptoms, it seems like it's the sensor on the tank that gets drained first that's messed up.

Warranty fix if you're still on warranty. Otherwise, it's not the biggest problem if you keep track of mileage; you'll still know when your tank is nearing half full(if i'm understanding you correctly), and you'll have quite a few gallons of warning.

[The HACK]

A buddy of mine actually took one out, disassembled the sensor and used a fine-grain sand paper on the contact surface and reconditioned his sensor to work like brand new. Total cost? About $0.50 (and a hour of work).

[RichardTS]

Originally Posted by The HACK

A buddy of mine actually took one out, disassembled the sensor and used a fine-grain sand paper on the contact surface and reconditioned his sensor to work like brand new. Total cost? About $0.50 (and a hour of work).

Worth a try. Years ago I had a cracked float in an MGB fuel tank sensor. Took it out, squeezed the fuel out of it (plastic) and pasted hardening permatex over the crack. Lasted about 10 years, lol.

[jnkhan82]

I wish I was able to get it out. I don't have the tools or even know where to start.

Never worked on a car. I only know how to change a tire and put on a air intake.. sad

[Nhopkins1394]

Those bugs from your avitar obviously finally got into your gas tank. lol

Man that bug is creepy. Looks very real. I've started to swat at my screen several times!

[jnkhan82]

lol Yeah I saw it on a design forum I'm on. I was like " OH MAN I HAVE TO HAVE THAT!"

Anyone know the part number for the sensor?

[sullivan8]

hi.. can i ask for an update on this? like has this happened to you again quite recently? coz mine rarely goes on full as well but i've just learned to live with it. but i wouldn't mind having it fixed as well.. without costing an arm and a leg.


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