Fuel gauge needle trippin? What gives?

[LAQ]

i noticed today on the way back from palm springs, my needle on fuel gauge didnt function properly.

it just stayed on empty. i know i had at least half tank, then i drove uphill near cal state pomona and it started to climb back to normal status.

is there a sensor of some kind that controls this? is there any way i can fix this in simple way?

[Q45tech]

Float valve in tank feeds variable voltage to gauge.

You said the magic word "California Junk Gasoline" which eats up every fuel component!

[LAQ]

so california junk or not, float valve needs replacement you think?

[Q45tech]

Never seen a failed float or float arm just the gasoline eats the potentiometer resistive material glue or a wear worn spot develops..........

Most get beat up when non techs try to change in tank pumps.

[greg_atlanta]

Mine is freaky too, but I'm used to it.... I just fill up every 250 miles in town and every 300-350 on highway (reset trip odometer with fill up).

The fuel sending unit (float mechanism) is about $125, just replace when/if you have to replace fuel pump.