Fuel Gauge Issue

[SuperchargedMR2]

I've had an issue with my fuel gauge level in my 89 SC ever since I bought it 8 years ago. At first I thought it was some gunk in the fuel system or on the sender. The gauge doesn't go all the way past the "Full" mark & it always seems to read 1/8 to 1/4 low. When the gauge was at the 1/4 mark today it only took 6 gallons to fill the tank. When it reads empty it takes 8 gallons to fill & the low level light doesn't come on until way below the "E" line.

So does anyone have any ideas? Is it the sending unit in the tank? Could the gauge be bad? Can the needle to the gauge be adjusted if the cluster was taken apart? I've spoken to others with this same issue on other MK1 models so I know I'm not the only person with this problem. Thanks in advance.

[ModifierMR]

This is very common with MK1 Mr2's and alot of cars in general. The sender unit's electrical contacts become corroded or degrade and the electrical connection is effected.

The gas tank on a MK1 is somewhere around 10.4 gallons to fill. So being just about on empty and taking 8 gallons to fill is reasonable. The light wont come on until you get to the 1.5 to 2 gallon mark. That last 2 gallons or so Is your reserve, and thats what the light is for...to let you know you are on reserve and not just E.

I think your gauge is fine, it is just getting old. All MK1 gauges are less accurate when the tank is full then when it is empty. They become more accurate after the drop below 1/2 a tank.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by ModifierMR

This is very common with MK1 Mr2's and alot of cars in general. The sender unit's electrical contacts become corroded or degrade and the electrical connection is effected.

The gas tank on a MK1 is somewhere around 10.4 gallons to fill. So being just about on empty and taking 8 gallons to fill is reasonable. The light wont come on until you get to the 1.5 to 2 gallon mark. That last 2 gallons or so Is your reserve, and thats what the light is for...to let you know you are on reserve and not just E.

I think your gauge is fine, it is just getting old. All MK1 gauges are less accurate when the tank is full then when it is empty. They become more accurate after the drop below 1/2 a tank.

I've had several other MK1's that never had this issue. The light would come on at about 1/8 tank & the needle would go beyond the "F" mark when having just filled up. I know that the tank holds 10.8 gallons & the light would come on with about 1.5 gallons left. I'm just wondering if replacing the sending unit would solve the problem. I'm used to how it works but it just ticks me off.

[mr2tim]

I'm inclined to agree with the Braintree resident, since the generated current is the deciding factor.

If you've ever been inside your gas tank for repairs you'll no likely be shocked with the amount of rust and how much the components degrade something terrible in many cases.

You can address the connections out of the tank with spray electronic cleaner and the use of di-electric grease after to resist deterioation however.

I must confess that after 21 years of ownership I have never ran out of gas either at the track or the interstate, so I guess it could be worse?

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by mr2tim

I'm inclined to agree with the Braintree resident, since the generated current is the deciding factor.

If you've ever been inside your gas tank for repairs you'll no likely be shocked with the amount of rust and how much the components degrade something terrible in many cases.

You can address the connections out of the tank with spray electronic cleaner and the use of di-electric grease after to resist deterioation however.

I must confess that after 21 years of ownership I have never ran out of gas either at the track or the interstate, so I guess it could be worse?

I've never run out of gas either but I would just like to try & fix the problem.