Many drivers have some idea of how much gas they have without their gauge. Still, most people rely on this feature to avoid becoming stranded. Of course, it’s rare for a car owner to experience their fuel gauge not working, but it’s not impossible. Perhaps the worst part is that it could take a while before people even know the gauge is either inaccurate or has stopped working completely. Luckily, there are a few leading causes of this malfunction, which means it can be easy for auto mechanics to pinpoint the reason.
Things you should know about your gas gauge
As mentioned, the gas gauge in a car is essential to most drivers. This is because it’s important to know how much fuel you have in order to avoid running out. After all, drivers are often busy, and most people can’t keep track of how much fuel they’ve used. The good thing is that although some may experience their fuel gauge not working, this part of the car is designed to last as long as the vehicle does.
The other thing drivers should know is that the gas gauge in their car is not 100% accurate. However, unless there is a problem, drivers can rely on this tool, which has been described as “fairly accurate.” Of course, most modern vehicles also have a range indicator. While these are also primarily accurate, many experts and auto mechanics say they become less so when the gas tank is nearly empty. This means drivers should err on the side of caution regarding when to fill up.
Your fuel gauge may not be working because of a fuel-sending error
Auto mechanics tend to agree that faulty fuel-sending units are the most common reason for issues with your gas gauge. The fuel-sending unit is located inside the gas tank. It measures the fuel level and then sends the information to the indicator that drivers see. This unit can become damaged due to multiple malfunctions, including various electrical issues, contaminated gas, and issues with connectors.
According to Get Jerry, it costs about $377 to fix the fuel-sending unit. This price includes labor and parts.
Faulty sensors
Your gas gauge may also be inaccurate due to issues with the sensors in your fuel tank. Notably, the gas tank usually has two sensors. One is the fuel level sensor, and the other measures pressure. Both can cause issues, but the former typically causes your car fuel gauge not to work. Fuel level sensors start at around $8 for the parts.
Issues with wires can cause your gas gauge not to work
As with many car issues, your gas gauge may have issues due to faulty wiring. These problems can cause various components not to communicate properly. However, wiring issues can be harder to fix, as it may take auto mechanics longer to determine the culprit of the inaccurate gas gauge readings.
In general, people who think their gas gauges are inaccurate should take their vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.
For more reading, check out our article on how contaminated gas impacts your car.
