Fuel Gauge does not move off full

2001 HYUNDAI ACCENT

96,000 MILES

BIGDODGE1

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3 POSTS
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The fuel gauge is stuck. It does not move when the car is on or off.
I changed the sending unit. No change in the guage.
I ordered and got the service manual and tested the wiring harness at the sending unit with a light tester and I get very weak power/light when testing the pins 2 and 3. Should this be a full connection/bright light? If so it looks to be a harness problem... right?
I unhooked the instrument cluster and took off the connectors in the back of it and got no change in the gauge. I reconnected them and again got no change.
Is there any way to check the gauge to see if it went bad?
Where is the cheapest I can find a NEW replacement wiring harness?

Jul 24, 2012 at 1:56 AM

HMAC300

CERTIFIED EXPERT
48,601 POSTS

normally the green wire should have a weak blinking light going to the sender. you may havea bad ground which is at the left kick panel. Or it could be a bad gauge as well.

Jul 24, 2012 at 11:50 AM

BIGDODGE1

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I pulled some of the upholstery up on the left side and I did not find a ground screw/connector but I will look again. I will check the ground for rust, corrosion, etc.

Given that the wire on the sender I tested was the green one and light tester was a weak light; I am guessing that was doing what it should have been. I will test it again looking for it to pulsate/blink.

So then by process of elimination, it would likely be the gauge itself.

Thank you so much for your help!

Jul 24, 2012 at 1:06 PM

HMAC300

CERTIFIED EXPERT
48,601 POSTS

well it could be the green wire is grounding out someplace as well. the kick panel is below the dash by your foot /parking brake

Jul 24, 2012 at 2:34 PM

BIGDODGE1

MEMBER
3 POSTS

You found it!
I went to the kicker pannel and when I pulled it off the ground wire; 1 of 2 had popped off. I rewired it and I have my fuel gauge working again.

Thanks again.

Jul 26, 2012 at 12:24 PM