So ran out of gas because the gauge got stuck at 1/3 tank. A year ago I sent the cluster out to be repaired for a similar issues (P0462). This time no codes just stuck. What to replace this time? Thanks

 

I've made a repair on how to fix, costs nothing but time and a few dabs of solder

 

OK. is there a link or a sticky?

 

Didn't realize how busted the search function of this site is. Had to dig this link out of my email for the last guy I helped https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...e-cluster.html

 

Thanks. I performed the meter gauge operation test from the FSM. Looks exactly like the photo to the right in post #4. Pushing trip toggles the gas needle to E, setting off the gas light. Then goes back to 1/3 full. But its really empty. I paid for a cluster service to resolve this issue a year ago. Do you think that job went bad, or is it really the sender this time?

 

It was fine a week ago. So I'm assuming the needle didn't somehow move. But maybe that happened?

 

Use a scan tool and NDS2 to check the fuel level sensor voltage while empty. Should be closer to 5V than 3V IIRC

 

So I just filled it and the gauge looks like this full.


And this is shut off.

Drops to the bottom and hits. Is it possible that the needle moved? Or should I just put another sender in it?

 

I highly doubt it is the sender, the sender can be checked rather easily by disconnecting the connector under the rear seat and checking the resistance. Looking for 80 ohms empty.

The needle looks fine in all positions; full, empty, and test mode.

The best way to determine whether it is the cluster is to measure the voltage read by the ECU when the tank is empty.

 

It's discouraging. I've spent a lot of money on this car just to get it to pass inspection. But it seems to have chronic fuel metering problems. It's not the cluster. Had that repaired and I recently tested the voltage on what I think is empty but it's tough to tell because you don't know what mostly empty anymore. it's not the sender. Just spent the money to replace it. Sometimes it shows almost full sometimes it looks like a half tank is in there. Other times it looks like there's no gas in it. So I have to drive around looking at the trip meter all the time trying to judge how much gas is left. I don't think that needle should go way past full like in the picture. Could it be possible that somehow that needle slipped? Could there be some kind of evap issue ? There are no codes I'm running out of ideas

 

I'm certain it is the cluster. Before I repaired mine it worked properly on a rare occasion.
To make sure, pull the sender out of the tank and make sure the float is sitting at empty, then check the voltage reported with NDS2. Report that voltage here

 

Ok when I get a chance I will do that. So its something to do with the 4 resistors?

 

Yes, most likely a bad solder joint. Those 4 resistors split into 2 parallel circuits. If there is a bad connection anywhere on the parallel branches, the voltage will shift from 4V at empty, to 2.3V. When operating properly, 2.3V is about a 1/3 to half tank so that's why you run the tank empty.

 

Thank you very much. I'm going to take the cluster off and check the work of the cluster repair I had last year. If it has happened again would that indicate a heat issue and a jumper may be helpful? Or just reheat solder again?