240sx gas needle issue...

[NCturbo75]

I noticed the other day that the gas needle on the gauge cluster on my 90 coupe was WAY under the "E" marker but the engine was still able to stay on. Is it common for it to be that way or is there something wrong with the gauge cluster, gas tank sending unit, .....???? Any suggestion would be appreciated.

[Beancooker]

there is usually a pretty good reserve of fuel below the E mark. That way when it says E, you put gas in, and don't run out. If as soon as the needle hit E, your car died... wouldn't that suck!

[NCturbo75]

The weird thing about it is that when it hits the mark above the "E", I am only able to top off with less than 6 gallons into the gas tank. Is that normal? I was under the impression a 240sx gas tank had a 15.2 gallon capacity.

[LayNLow240]

then your needle is off alot. means E is about half tank for you.be lucky you can get to E. i cant even get to E before i run out of gas.

[NCturbo75]

then your needle is off alot. means E is about half tank for you.be lucky you can get to E. i cant even get to E before i run out of gas.

That was what I was thinking too. Some people have suggested it to be the gas tank level but I likely doubt it to be that. Would it be wise to replace the cluster, again? The guy I bought my coupe from claimed the owner before him changed out the cluster. I don't want to waste money on a SOHC cluster because I plan on replacing the motor for a DOHC soon.

[Moon Ill]

I was going to say it might be the level on the fuel pump too. I know mine is just hanging there so it looks similar to what your's probably looks like.

[NCturbo75]

How much gas can you put into the tank when it's a mark above the "E"? Like I stated above, I cannot put more than 6 gallons or so.

[LayNLow240]

check to make sure your float is not bent.i remember someone saying that if its off, just take the cluster out and move the needle to where you think it should be.

[NCturbo75]

check to make sure your float is not bent.i remember someone saying that if its off, just take the cluster out and move the needle to where you think it should be.

Hrmmm...I am not sure if that will resolve the problem. I can take the cluster off and move the needle, but how is that going to resolve the issue that I have?? Man, this is really buggin' me.

[Moto Man]

Sometimes when my fuel gauge is around E, it will all of a sudden drop way down below E. It comes back up after a while.

I'm pretty sure it's the sender unit in the gas tank. There is a "dead spot", where it sends no signal to the gauge.

[piccilo2]

i have the same problem except mine goes way above full when its filled up, i got i checked out and they said it was the sending unit, thats prolly wats wrong with yours also

[LayNLow240]

Hrmmm...I am not sure if that will resolve the problem. I can take the cluster off and move the needle, but how is that going to resolve the issue that I have?? Man, this is really buggin' me.

well im thinking that maybe a previous owner took the cluster out with a low tank, filled it up and put the cluster on while it was still reading the same low amount as before.just an idea.

[NCturbo75]

Sometimes when my fuel gauge is around E, it will all of a sudden drop way down below E. It comes back up after a while.

that's how mine is too. I'll go to the Pull-a-part place sometime this week and see if I can get one. Thanks everyone for their suggestions/replies.