Fuel Gauge isn't steady

[jasonm621]

My fuel gauge wouldn't fluctuate but would work intermittently. Finally just quit working and the past year the fuel needle has been pegged on the "F" The low Fuel light works just fine though so im assuming its the gauge that has crapped out on mine as well. I use the ODO method and can accurately predict when the fuel light will come on (within 20 miles). Especially in the summer months when there isnt as much ethanol in the fuel and the idiot 2WD drivers hitting the snowy hills clogging up the city streets for the 4WD people who really should be on the road... I would like to know a way to diagnose the situation instead of throwing $200 at the situation for both parts. Especially since it isnt really an issue that bothers me...

[hughesdt]

I too have a dancing fuel gauge. And like others it quit working on the full side, but the low fuel lamp continued to work. And of course mileage method is always in use. I finally replaced the sender with the high hopes that it would fix the dancing fuel gauge with no joy either.

Jason, I'm sure that you are correct, your dash gauge is bad. I had the temp gauge do the same thing. I found out that they where sold as a pair and back ordered. So I took it apart, unwound the magnet wire, found the break and wound it all back together. Worked! Since then I have seen a lot of Rodeos with the same or similar gauges, I'm sure the fuel gauge from a junk yard Rodeo will work.

VXNewb, Do you have a picture of the back side of the fuel gauge that might show an added resistor, or more likely a capacitor? Wondering if it is a mechanical dampening that wears out, or if another component was actually added.

[vxnewb]

VXNewb, Do you have a picture of the back side of the fuel gauge that might show an added resistor, or more likely a capacitor? Wondering if it is a mechanical dampening that wears out, or if another component was actually added.

sure

[hughesdt]

Very nice, now I have a reason to pull my dash apart and change my Power lamp and compare my gauges against your pictures.

THANKS!