Faulty fuel tank sending unit
05-20-2019, 04:51 PM
#31
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Disclaimer: Use at your own risk. Results may vary. Professional driver on a closed course. Do not attempt. Predictions of an outcome do not constitute a guarantee. Void where prohibited. Yada yada.
8.5 gallons for 165 miles is ~19.4MPG, good for city and/or somewhat lead-footed driving.
A thought: If it is reading, let'* say, "consistently but not accurately", you could put it to a test to find out what each level means. Your 2001 Park Avenue is supposed to have an 18.5 gallon fuel tank. :
1. Fill fuel tank completely.
2. Drive normally until it reads 7/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
3. Drive normally until it reads 3/4 again, fill it up, was this refuel approximately 8.5 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
4. Drive normally until it reads 5/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
5. Drive normally until it reads 1/2, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
6. Drive normally until it reads 3/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
7. Drive normally until it reads 1/4, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
8. Are you confident testing down to 1/8 of a tank? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
9. Perhaps you'll want to safely carry a small container of gasoline with you just in case.
10. Drive normally until it reads 1/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
Now you have some idea how low it is at each reading. You also have an idea if the readings it is presenting are pretty linear. If, for example, it reads it'* way down to half then two miles later it reads 1/8, then you can surmise that something undesired is happening somewhere.
After a couple of weeks with a functioning (sort of) fuel gauge, I've found that the accuracy isn't real good. At one point the gauge was indicating 3/4 full and the trip odometer was showing 165 miles. A the cheap gas station I was able to get 8.5 in the tank, which is about half empty. Maybe the aftermarket sending units aren't as precise as OEM.
A thought: If it is reading, let'* say, "consistently but not accurately", you could put it to a test to find out what each level means. Your 2001 Park Avenue is supposed to have an 18.5 gallon fuel tank. :
1. Fill fuel tank completely.
2. Drive normally until it reads 7/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
3. Drive normally until it reads 3/4 again, fill it up, was this refuel approximately 8.5 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
4. Drive normally until it reads 5/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
5. Drive normally until it reads 1/2, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
6. Drive normally until it reads 3/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
7. Drive normally until it reads 1/4, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
8. Are you confident testing down to 1/8 of a tank? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
9. Perhaps you'll want to safely carry a small container of gasoline with you just in case.
10. Drive normally until it reads 1/8, fill it up, record this refuel amount, was this refuel less than 15 gallons? If "yes", continue this test. If "no", discontinue this test.
Now you have some idea how low it is at each reading. You also have an idea if the readings it is presenting are pretty linear. If, for example, it reads it'* way down to half then two miles later it reads 1/8, then you can surmise that something undesired is happening somewhere.
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