bordin34

So my battery was nearly dead and I tried cranking it and when I cranked it, the engine turned over very slowly and the fuel gauge pegged full for a second then stayed at empty. The gauge now doesn't work. Any suggestions?

Butters944

Pssh who needs a fuel guage... That's what the fuel warning light is for

bordin34

well, my odometer is also broken and guessing at how much fuel is left isnt much fun. Hopefully the warning light still works.

Butters944

Mine reads very spazzy so I just keep track of the miles on my car cause I generally get 250 miles out of each tank

JohnKoaWood

Seriously?

Early N/A right?

I am seeing almost 500 miles per tank in my 88... but my fuel gauge works, and is relatively accurate!

My money for the OP is on either a blown fuse, or... nah its a blown fuse...

bordin34

I feel very stupid for not checking for that. Off to the garage.

bordin34

I just checked all my fuses and they are fine. Anything else, the car is an 86 N/A.

Butters944

Yup, 83. The most gas I've ever put into mine is 13.7 gal, which is at the point of warning light on. That, with my 20 mpg average gets me about 275 miles. Ummm is it just my "teenage driving" getting me that mpg or is that normal?

Sorry to bring this thread OT bordin...

mazdaverx7

go in the hatch and lift up the carpet. remove the fuel pump access plate and remove each wire from the pump/pickup assembly and clean each connector one at a time. ensure both the make and female are corrosion free. often times the connectors will corrode and you will lose the fuel level gauge. i would start there.

bordin34

I will have to check that out. The 86 has about a 20 gallon tank right?

dirtyTurbo

20 mpg average is carburated v8 territory. Start checking and replacing things or pick your foot up every once in a while

bordin34

I fixed it, for now. I had to replace my odometer gear so while I had the cluster out I cleaned the contacts going to the fuel gauge and it works now. Thanks

dirtyTurbo

How long did it take? Is it a late car? Mine are due for a cleaning as the coolant temperature gauge only works if you flick it

bordin34

Mine is an 86. The first time it may take 20 minutes to take out being careful and taking your time but once you know how it goes together I can do take the cluster out and have the speedo off in maybe 15 minutes.