I know this sounds pretty bad, but I had the gas tank filled to max a few days ago... first time in like a year and a half that I have had a full tank of gas...

Anyways, the problem is that the fuel gauge says its like 4/5ths, 3/4 full when I have a full tank...

I did a search and the only thing that came up was a fuel gauge that failed completely... which is not my problem.

Any ideas why its reading a little lower than it really is?

 

I had this same problem. You need a new fuel sending unit. And, while you're at it, clean the wiring connector at the tank.

 

hey 85 fb how much did you pay for the sending unit cause im having the same problem eeerrrrr have had the same type of problem for 3 years now and am wondering just how to fix it also before you replace the sending unit ide do a check and see if its not getting stuck on some kind of tarnish build up or something like that casue the sending units arent cheap for any car for that matter there have been two cars i have fixed this way the float arm gets stuck and no matter how much cornering you do it will not go all the way up also when it says its empty i can get like another 100 miles out of it. One more Q i have is cause i can not find my Haynes manual is there a way to access the sending through the inside of the car without dropping the fuel tank.

 

i thought i had this problem when i first got my car. my gas needle would instantly go to 3/4 tank after only driving 30 miles. but it turned out to be really bad gas mileage...untuned and rich as hell LOL!

 

Mazdatrix has senders for around 125. You can access it by removing the plastic shield, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to remove the rusted screws. They usually require a good dose of PB Blaster and an impact screwdriver to break them loose.

 

Mine does that, and honestly I dont really care.
I don't need to know if I have a full tank or just 3/4 of a tank, I only care when it gets close to empty. So, save some cash and live with it as you have been for the past year and a half.

 

I paid $120 plus some tax from the dealer.

For me, I ended up having to take my Dremel took and cut some slots in the heads of the screws and using a flathead screwdriver to break them loose.

 

Damn it... I was hoping I didn't have to replace anything...

Well since I am at the school shop and I have a few hours to kill I will take a look at it and see if I can try to save the thing for a lil longer.

BTW thanks for warning me about the screws, makes getting the right tools much easier!

Well I'll let you know if I find a cheap fix or something, if not i'll let you know how badly I fucked it up. lol

 

Where the hell is that plastic cover? I have the back of my car torn out with my spare out and I can't find anything obvious...

 

Not the spare tire. The left rear tire. Take that off, the plastic planel will be in the corner held up by 3 bolts. 10mm or 12mm should be the size to take the bolts out.

 

Thanks Guys, got it to work again...

Float arm was not used to swinging that far... ((I wonder why maybe something to do with me not filling her to the max for over a year? lol))

 

As do I. I really dont mind it. Like you said, it really only matters to me when it gets low.