Broken fuel gauge

[Pianodemon]

Well, either the fuel gauge in my '98 Pathfinder is broken/stuck, or I'm suddenly getting *really* amazing mileage.

Arrow is stuck between 3/4 and 1/2 and hasn't budged in a few days of fairly regular driving.

Any ideas on how to fix this? This a simple fix or something that'll soak me?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Sounds like a bad fuel level sensor unit. Very simple to replace but will be a bit pricey at $115.

[Pianodemon]

Pwnin , is that something I could do on my own or would a mechanic have to do it?

-Alan

[Pwnin O'Brien]

It's a fairly simple process to remove the fuel pump and level sensor unit and replace the bad sensor. You just have to remove the screws from the access plate under the rear seats and then remove the pump/sender unit and then place them back in the tank. Of course, it's a little more difficult than I make it sound since I'm sure your fuel pump screws are rusted pretty badly and may take some coaxing. The full replacement procedure is in the FSM; of course if you don't feel like messing around with it then a mechanic should charge you no more than 2 hours for the job.

[Pianodemon]

Thanks. Sounds like I'll be taking it back to my new mechanic and have him do that when he does some upcoming work on my rear suspension.

[Pianodemon]

Pwnin:

If I'm looking at http://courtesyparts.com/ for the fuel level sensor, any ideas where I might find it?

Going to be ordering new foglights and sensor from them and having my mechanic install them.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Yeah, it's in section 172 (Fuel Tank). In the image below it is item #25060Y right to the left of the fuel tank.

Here's the link to the fuel tank page: http://www.courtesyparts.com/p....html

Depending on the manufacturing month of your Pathfinder, it will be either $115 or $135If your Pathfinder was built before April 1998, then you need this part:http://www.courtesyparts.com/2...4721&If you pathfinder was built after April 1998, then you need this part:http://www.courtesyparts.com/2...4721&

[Pianodemon]

Thanks again, Pwnin.

Next stupid question is "How do I tell when my truck was made?"

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Thanks again, Pwnin.

Next stupid question is "How do I tell when my truck was made?"

Well, you could always give CourtesyParts your VIN number and they will tell you the correct part for your manufacturing month. YOu can also look at the placard on the driver door and that will tell you the month and year it was manufactured.

[Pianodemon]

Beauty. Thanks again.

Though I think after this round of repairs, I'm going to seriously start looking for a new ride. Something that won't soak me for several hundred dollars in repairs every few months.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I mean, it is a 12 year old car. Nissans are definitely reliable but at that age it's the other systems you have to worry about (such as the fuel pump/sender). Most rubber seals have probably deteriorated and are falling apart which will cause all sort of problems. Also, the harsh New Jersey weather can really take a toll on the vehicle; road salt kills everything.

If this is your daily driver then I would definitely recommend finding something newer. Even with my 2003 (with only 70,000 miles) I'm noticing a lot of rust and a lot of hoses that are starting to crack (why anyone would put the EVAP canister behind the rear driver side wheel is beyond me).

[Pianodemon]

She's a weekend warrior more than anything. I train it into NYC for work, so she's relegated to local travel (gym, supermarket, etc.) during the week, and usually longer trips on the weekend.

Since I bought her in 01/2002 with 25K miles, she's been to the Florida Keys, Virginia, North Carolina several times, Vermont countless times, and Canada twice (Montreal and Niagara Falls).

Plus commuting from Montclair, NJ to Rye NY daily for over 2 years put a lot of miles on her.

[Pianodemon]

Well looks like I jumped the gun. Fuel gauge is working, I just seems to be getting exceptional mileage this go round.

Almost 200 miles and I'm just above a 1/2 tank.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Yeah, you should really only be worried if the gauge says 3/4 full and the gas light is on, then you might need to replace the fuel sender unit.