Faulty fuel gauge on 03 Pathfinder

[wilantonio]

Hello guys, I'm well aware of the recall on the 06 pathfinders but has anyone had the same issue with the 03? Mine just turned 100k miles and the fuel gauge doesn't goto E, it gets stuck at around 1/4 tank. This just started happening about 1 month ago, good thing I know how many miles I get to a full tank so I can gauge my fuel level that way.
Anyway, I called Nissan consumer affairs and they told me that it wasn't covered. They stated that my car was beyond the extended warranty. Well, im a pretty persistent guy and the nissan agent told me to get the fuel gauge issue diagnosed, have an estimate written out, and to call them back with the info aswell as the service person's name from the dealership i took my car to. Well, i went there yesterday and they told me that the diagnostic fee was $123.00. I told them to screw off, the nissan guy never told me about the fee, so i called back and spoke to a supervisor and she approved to have the fee reimbursed to me when i fax her the diagnosis, estimate, and receipt of the fee payment. She then said that once the paperwork is received then they will determine if they will fix my fuel gauge free of charge. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I figure it's worth a try, atleast i'll get the diagnostics for free.
I'll keep you guys posted as soon as i hear from them. I think it also helped that i mentioned that this was my 4th nissan. They were able to verify that and thanked me for being a loyal customer. The supervisor said that it wasn't worth losing me as a customer for $123 bucks. Let's hope they feel the same way after the diagnosis of the fuel gauge and agree to pay for it.
I know I kinda splurted a lot here, but has anyone come across a faulty fuel gauge on their pathfinders with the exemption of the recalled vehicles for the aformentioned problem? Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

[SBK03SE]

Man, I thought I was alone. Mine is a little different. At full it goes up like 1/8 over the line. Then I get 100 miles and then it drops to like half. Then I get another 80-something miles and it'll be at level 3. 60-75 more miles and then the light comes on.

Quick question, how many miles do you guys get out of a gallon? I drive at 2000rpm 90% of the time, I rarely, if ever floor it to get on the highway (3- 3500rpm max). A/C use is kept to a minimum. Windows closed most of the time.

I can squeeze out 260-270 before the light comes on and I get scared. Is our tank 21.5 gallons? I'm yet to actually get a good estimate of my economy.

And does anyone else agree that the fuel gauge is not properly scaled? The lines don't represent 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4. The middle lines are larger.

[Chris.m]

Man, I thought I was alone. Mine is a little different. At full it goes up like 1/8 over the line. Then I get 100 miles and then it drops to like half. Then I get another 80-something miles and it'll be at level 3. 60-75 more miles and then the light comes on.

Quick question, how many miles do you guys get out of a gallon? I drive at 2000rpm 90% of the time, I rarely, if ever floor it to get on the highway (3- 3500rpm max). A/C use is kept to a minimum. Windows closed most of the time.

I can squeeze out 260-270 before the light comes on and I get scared. Is our tank 21.5 gallons? I'm yet to actually get a good estimate of my economy.

And does anyone else agree that the fuel gauge is not properly scaled? The lines don't represent 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4. The middle lines are larger.

Yeah thats how my gauge is. I just assumed it was supposed to be like that.

Also I think our tanks are 20.9 Gallons or 79 liters

Right now my mileage is pretty bad as I have my roof racks on, usually carrying ladders with a few hundred pounds of stuff inside. 16.5 mpg with 91 octane

[Towncivilian]

Yeah, mine is that way too. I get about 260-270 miles before the gas light illuminates. Using 93 octane, 70/30 city/hwy.

wilantonio, try running a fuel system cleaner that contains PEA (polyether amine) such as Chevron Techron or Gumout (w/ Regane), as the fuel level sending unit (the ball thing that floats in your tank) could be gummed up with something, causing it to misreport its level.

[wilantonio]

Hey guys thanks for responding. I usually run about 260 miles before my low fuel indicator turns on too. According to vehix.com our gas tank cap. Is approx 21.1 gallons. Usually, when the light used to turn on I would fill it up with 17 gallons. Guess that means that I had another 3 gallons on reserve. Well if you dk the math 17 gals and 260 miles= 15.3 mpg and thats with reg 87 octane. Guess I should up to premium for better gas milage.

[asnorton44]

Maybe due to high mileage (175,000) or abuse by the previous owner, but I only get 220 a tank till the light illuminates.

[SBK03SE]

Honestly, this is the ONE thing I hate about the pathy. Love the power, it's just right, but seriously...<14mpg is unacceptable. I should have researched before I bought it. I love it though...

[wilantonio]

Yeah i'm kinda bummed with only 15 mpg does anyone have a sure fire way of increasing effeciency? I don't drive my truck hard at all.

Towncivilian: advanced auto has chevron techron buy one get one free. So i got myself 4 of them. I will be treating my gas with a 20oz bottle next time I fill up, with the hopes of solving my faulty fuel gauge. Hopefully, it will also improve my fuel effeciency aswell. I'll keep you guys posted.

[Towncivilian]

I, too, got 4 bottles of those BOGO Techrons. I hope it'll help you.

I suppose our poor mileage is just the nature of having a vehicle with the aerodynamic grace of a Coke machine, that and our 3.5L engine of course. I found that if I drive like a granny or if I drive it like I stole it, it doesn't impact fuel mileage significantly either way. I also found that running with no A/C yields about 300 miles before gas light for me, but currently in the dead of Florida summer that's nearly impossible.

[jscricca]

I just bought a beautiful 03 LE and just discovered this issue the hard way.

I'm pretty sure my fuel sending unit has already been replaced.

Has anyone figured out the issue with the instrument cluster? I'd love to be able to repair myself. I've seen some people using magnets to repair a similar issue with their Maxima. Has anyone tried this?