The Best Repair Shop in Birmingham to Replace a Faulty Fuel Gauge in a Nissan

The fuel gauge (also known as a gas gauge) is an instrument that measures the amount of fuel in your Nissan’s reservoir. A fuel gauge may be constructed in a variety of ways, and many of them include defects that cause the readings to be inaccurate. Let’s look closer.

The fuel gauge has two elements that function together to determine the amount of gasoline in your Nissan and convey that information to you through the dashboard. Those parts are the sensing/sending unit and the gauge/indicator.

The sending unit/sensor also has components that function together to measure your car’s gasoline or fuel level. The float sits on the surface of the gasoline in the tank. The second component of the sending unit is the metal rod or the arm. The arm is a slender metal rod that connects the float to a point within the variable resistor. The third component of the sending unit is the variable resistor (rheostat). The variable resistor resists electricity flow and is typically made of resistive material. This resistance is translated and transferred through the car’s electronics and wiring to identify the location of the needle or digital gauge. When the fuel tank is full, it detects a high resistance, and a low resistance when it is empty.

The information is passed across to the vehicle operator through the indicator or indicating system.

Fuel Gauge Failure

If you own a Nissan model, you might have had fuel gauge problems such as inaccurate fuel readings. The incorrect levels are most likely caused by a fault with a faulty resistor circuit in the sender’s unit. Nissan’s engineers discovered that when the tank is below a quarter full, one of either of two resistors can open, causing erroneous gas gauge readings.

Common Causes of Faulty Fuel Gauge Readings

• Voltage Problems: Voltage may be lacking in the fuel sender (depending on the source of the problem), and the fuel gauge will not receive voltage feedback.
• Internal Circuit Problems: Another reason for fuel gauge failure could be the internal circuit. It may fail, causing the fuel gauge to only work in one portion. Furthermore, the internal circuit may be shortened or left open. The wiring could also affect the fuel gauge, especially if the wires of the fuel gauge are damaged or disconnected.
• Corrosion around the Connectors: Any weak connection or rust, on the other hand, can cause problems. Because of the constant exposure to the environment, these problems are most typically encountered with the link to the fuel pump module.
• Faulty Dashboard: The instrument cluster could also have problems. Modern instrument clusters have amazing technology inside, but if they malfunction, it can cause havoc on your warning signals and cost quite a bit to repair or replace them.

How to Tell if Your Fuel Gauge is Broken

Symptoms of a broken fuel gauge include:

• Fuel gauge is erratic: A faulty sending unit can cause the gauge to switch positions. From reading empty when you have a full tank to reading half full only moments later.
• The fuel gauge is stuck on Empty: The gasoline gauge may malfunction if the float breaks or separates from the arm, causing it to become fixed on empty.
• The fuel gauge is stuck on Full: A gauge that is fixed on full is a typical indicator of a problem with the fuel gauge sending unit.
• The low fuel light switches on falsely: Poor grounding from the battery, a malfunctioning dashboard, or improper wiring are the most typical cases of a Nissan fuel gauge failure. Bring your Nissan to trusted mechanics who can inspect and diagnose the root of the problem for you.

Franklin Automotive: Your Nissan Experts

If you suspect your fuel gauge may be faulty, bring your car to us right away. Our team at Franklin Automotive in Birmingham, AL is committed to ensuring your vehicle is properly diagnosed to receive the best repairs possible to restore it to top condition. Our team has helped auto owners in Birmingham and the surrounding areas of Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Pelham, Trussville, and Vestavia. Call or visit our shop today to schedule an appointment with one of our mechanics!