Rep Power: 0

I just got back from the dealer because my fuel gauge does not record the tank as full just after I filled it with 12+ gallons (and I had to keep pulling the gas nozzle to make it that full!!). They said my fuel gauge is not working properly, that it goes lower than it's supposed to and consequently not high enough.

They say I need a ~$400 replacement gauge cluster. YIKES!!!

Anybody know if I can tweak the needle back into (or close to) where it should be? Or am I screwed and have to fork over the cheese?

I hear Gearbox is the man when it comes to the instrument cluster...

 
Rep Power: 346

hmmm, I don't know, but they have been known not to reflect the actual amount of gas. Don't fork over the cheese, just live with it, don't pass go and don't collect $200.

 
Rep Power: 0

I'd like to have it working if I could...

I'm thinking.. take off the clear plastic front, drive to the gas station, fill'r up, start car and then "gently" push needle to full position... maybe that'll work?

 
Rep Power: 382

i dont know if mine is off but one time i ran my car dry didnt mean to and it filled up 12.2 gallons not the 13.2 that is listed on the factory sheet for fuel capacity

 
Rep Power: 0

Well... that's the thing, I just ran my DRY the other weekend, but I think it's because the gauge wasn't working and the light didn't come on. I filled it up, about 10.5 gallons, which is what is usual when the light comes on, and then attempted to drive off but it didn't run very good. I had to pull over on the freeway and let it idle for awhile and give it some gas then it ran normal.

13.9 is what our cars are supposed to take but you're a ballsy **** if you take it down that low. I've pushed my limits and only gotten 11.5 (until today when I kept fueling past the autocutoff on the gas pump!)

 
Rep Power: 382

i didnt mean to i swear just happened for some reason

 
Rep Power: 811

it's a faulty fuel sender. Same happened to mine and it was never accurate. I had 5 gallons and the gas light came on. Have it replaced under warranty. I got pissed because they spilled gas all under the rear seat cushion and didn't tell me. I guess they thought I wouldn't notice the car smelled like a gas station after.

 
Rep Power: 0

13.2 gallons is factory spec. yeah my gas gauge is not very consistent. i agree with gearbox they should replace it under warranty.

 
Rep Power: 452

ask the dealer how they came to the conclusion that you needed a new gauge cluster. Like gearbox said, it should just be the sender unit.

 
Rep Power: 606

wtf......i would be so pissed

 
Rep Power: 811

ya I smelled it, and pulled off the cushion to see a huge spill and it had soaked into that stock deadening material. I got a free detail out of it (nice job) but still smelled for a while. I got a patch of dynamat over it now. But man to just spill gas and not say anything....

 
Rep Power: 0

Too bad my warranty is up. They said they ran some sweep tests on the gauge cluster itself and determined the gauge was bad.

How much does a fuel sender cost? I'm all about doing the cheapest thing first.

Well, I took off the clear plastic and turned the car on, went to a gas station, topped off and then gently nudged the needle to the full position. I turned off the car and then back on multiple times, hoping that it would stay... but everytime I turn the car back on, it doesn't go quite as high. When I turn the car off, I notice the gauges making noises (the auto calibrate) but a second or two after I turn the car off... I'm not sure if I've noticed this before or it is just louder now without the shroud and plastic on.

 
Rep Power: 811

If you want to move it, turn the needle clockwise past the F almost back to the E. It will swing around easily and then you'll feel it stop. Push it more as much as you want it to be forward (maybe a few mm depending on where it sits at full). Oh yea and you have to unplug the cluster blue/green connectors when you do this. Then put all needles to the resting position (back to E) without going past the stop point. Plug back in and you're good to go.

 
Rep Power: 0

According to Honda's "eXpressTech" magazine (I picked this up at my local Acura parts counter):

The Problem:
On 2001 Civics, when you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) with the vehicle parked on an incline, the fuel gauge register more/less fuel than is actually in the fuel tank. When you drive off the incline on level ground, the fuel gauge responds slowly, takin gas long as 10 minutes to reflect the actual fuel level. The probable cause is that the software specification for calculating the current fuel level is incorrect.

Affected Vehicles:
U.S. and Canada produced models: From the beginning of 2001 production through January 2001 (Check the production month on the driver's doorjamb sticker.)

Japan produced models: From the beginning of 2001 production through November 2000. (Check the production month on the driver's door jamb sticker.)

Corrective Action:
Replace the gauge assembly. If required by the DMV, fill out an odometer mileage disclosure sticker, and apply it to the driver's doorjamb.

The gauge cluster assembly are made by three companies.
1) Visteon
2) Nippon Seiki
3) New Sabina

All these clusters are not interchangable. They can also vary base on the model you have. i.e. 2Dr, 4Dr, HX, DX, LX, EX, manual, AT.

Technically, Honda knows about this so it should be cover by your warranty. There is probably a TSB (Technical Sevice Bulletin) on it also. Try to insist they repair this problem. Becasue an incorrect fuel gauge can lead to overfilling your tank which may lead to a fire hazard.

 
Rep Power: 0

Well... Gearbox... (and you can quote me on this) YOU ARE THE MAN!

I performed the assist that you gave me and it seems as though it is not reverting back to the screwed up reading. I'll keep driving it this week and see how it goes but it's looking good for now.

Thanks.

--> gearbox <---

 
Rep Power: 811

Sweet! Glad it worked out. That's what I did and it's been staying at the new setting for almost 6 months now.

 
Rep Power: 268

I filled up once 12.9 gallons. I was like, "PHUUUUUK!" hahaha.