Help! Fuel Gauge Problem

Hi Gang,
I have 93' Accord LX and I have a fuel gauge problem that's been going on
for years. If I leave the car out in the hot sun for a couple of hours the
fuel gauge works for about 30 minutes and then it slowly moves to empty and
doesn't work. Took it to an electrical shop couldn't find a problem. It
looks like the gauge is still working, but should I replace it to be sure.
I think the gas tank isn't sealed properly. I don't lose any gas just the
fuel gauge doesn't work. Any suggestions?
Thanks for Your Help,
Jimmy

 

If you have a voltmeter, you could debug the problem yourself with some
help. There is however one procedure you can perform *during gauge
failure*:

1) Remove maintenance access panal (3 screws) located under right side of
rear seat. Might be accessible from the trunk under the carpet. Can't
remember.

2) Disconnect the 3-P connector from the sending unit.

3) On the 3-P connector you disconnected, place a jumper wire from the
(YEL/WHT) wire to the (BLK) wire. Turn the ignition switch to ON and note
if gauge moves to full mark. Do this *quickly* as you could possibly
damage the gauge. If it were me, I would place a 5 ohm resistor in place
of the jumper wire to be on the safer side.

4) If gauge works, suspect a problem with the sending unit.

5) If no swing movement from the gauge, make sure fuel sender ground wire
to chassis connection (located near maintenance panal) is good. The gauge
could also be defective. You should first verify power/ground/signal at
the gauge before replacing. This would eliminate any open circuits in the
wiring and connectors making the debugging procedure complete. A
volt/ohmmeter would be needed here...HTH

Good Luck

Mike
95 Civic EX

 

As Mike has stated you may want to troubleshoot if the gauge is
sending a voltage to the console, but if you haven't replaced it yet
you may want to just go out and buy a new one....they tend to break
down after 5-8 years.

Nick