'90 fuel guage
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Washington
'90 fuel guage
Hello,
I just bought a 90 L98 from a used car lot, probably paid too much for it, haha. One problem that annoys me the most, is the fuel guage doesn't read full. It says reserve, tried putting fuel in the car, pumps kept shutting off, and eventually fuel leaked out from the filler opening. So, I heard from a mechanic buddy of mine that this was common with cars that had electric fuel gauges, would like to know what causes these problems.
I just bought a 90 L98 from a used car lot, probably paid too much for it, haha. One problem that annoys me the most, is the fuel guage doesn't read full. It says reserve, tried putting fuel in the car, pumps kept shutting off, and eventually fuel leaked out from the filler opening. So, I heard from a mechanic buddy of mine that this was common with cars that had electric fuel gauges, would like to know what causes these problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I put a 90 gauge in the tank of my 86, and it is indeed screwy. The problem I found was that the external ground wire wasn't making contact. That fixed it for a while. Then the sender itself was going bad and sounded like yours.
When you get a new one, I will buy the old one for the float. (offering $15 shipped for the whole thing)
You take the fuel door off, then the rubber boot, then then hoses and the bolts in the plate. disconnect the connector,
It pulls right out from the tank
Goes in the reverse of that.
When you get a new one, I will buy the old one for the float. (offering $15 shipped for the whole thing)
You take the fuel door off, then the rubber boot, then then hoses and the bolts in the plate. disconnect the connector,
It pulls right out from the tank
Goes in the reverse of that.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Centerport NY
Hello,
I just bought a 90 L98 from a used car lot, probably paid too much for it, haha. One problem that annoys me the most, is the fuel guage doesn't read full. It says reserve, tried putting fuel in the car, pumps kept shutting off, and eventually fuel leaked out from the filler opening. So, I heard from a mechanic buddy of mine that this was common with cars that had electric fuel gauges, would like to know what causes these problems.
I just bought a 90 L98 from a used car lot, probably paid too much for it, haha. One problem that annoys me the most, is the fuel guage doesn't read full. It says reserve, tried putting fuel in the car, pumps kept shutting off, and eventually fuel leaked out from the filler opening. So, I heard from a mechanic buddy of mine that this was common with cars that had electric fuel gauges, would like to know what causes these problems.
It's an easy install. Get a Haynes repair manual if you don't have one. It describes the process in there and you won't get disoriented when trying to put it all back together. Make a diagram of the wiring before you start pulling everything apart.That's the important thing.
Other than that it's pretty straight forward.
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Yes, I had the same problem with my 1990. Replace the entire sending unit - part is about $300+ This fixed the problem for me. Also replace the strainer on the fuel pump while you're at it.
It's an easy install. Get a Haynes repair manual if you don't have one. It describes the process in there and you won't get disoriented when trying to put it all back together. Make a diagram of the wiring before you start pulling everything apart.That's the important thing.
Other than that it's pretty straight forward.
Good Luck!
It's an easy install. Get a Haynes repair manual if you don't have one. It describes the process in there and you won't get disoriented when trying to put it all back together. Make a diagram of the wiring before you start pulling everything apart.That's the important thing.
Other than that it's pretty straight forward.
Good Luck!
