I just bought a used Subaru Legacy 1996 L 117K miles . The fuel gauge displays empty most of the time unless I fill the take about half full or more - the dash gauge will then react. Once the gas level goes down the gauge hits empty again. I assume this is a faulty fuel float sending unit in the tank. Any advice before I purchase one? 

 

Thanks....Milty 

Hi,

Common enough issue in the '90s Legacy that you'll find more posts on here/online.

 

There are two floats - left and right - that determine how the gauge displays, and they wear out/get corroded on their sensor. You'll want to do more online searching to determine which one is most likely causing the issue.

 

I have read about using different types of fuel additives (?) that may help w/this, and I personally have noticed mine works better since I changed to a Top Tier fuel (Costco), but it still shows prematurely low.

 

GL,

TD

Ok . I may drop the tank this weekend and look at them - be nice if it was just corroded connections. Shopped around most places don't sell just sending unit but complete assembly - pump and all - crazy expensive $300 plus. Assume a bone yard is not a good idea

 

Didn't realize there are two floats. 

 

Thanks for the info.....Milty 

"dropping the tank" may not be on your 'to do' list either. IIRC, it's not just a strap to release it. More like the whole rear suspension/drive shaft/rear diff? Recommend more searching on that, too.

 

Acces to both is on top right behind the rear seats - pull up the carpet pads.

Td

Edited October 6, 20169 yr by wtdash

Yup - just read that online - don't want to have to remove suspension, etc. 

 

Thanks....Milty 

You do not need to drop the tank to gain access to the fuel pump/float assemblies on a Subaru. Just behind the rear seats, under the carpet are 2 access panels

main pump/float assembly is on the right side (passenger) - it has an oval shaped access panel. The secondary unit is on the left and has a round access panel.

 

They are easier to get to if you have a wagon, simply fold the rear seat backs down and lift the carpet. Obviously, in a sedan, they are a little more difficult to get to, but they are in the same locations.

Will check it out this weekend - trying to find a reasonable cost sending unit sold separately - not much luck yet - not on Rockauto or any parts store franchise. Any suggestions? 

 

Advanceautoparts has a Denso model but states its generic - may or may not fit your car

 

Thanks....Milty 

Salvage yard. From as late a model as you can.

It only takes about 15 min to remove. Take PB, an 8mm socket, a phillips head screwdriver and a pair of pliers.

You'll have to wiggle a little as the float level gets in the way.

The nuts will be rusted. On your vehicle tighten a small bit to break the rust, then loosen.

 

O.

Ok - thanks for the removal tips  - was thinking about the bone yard but concerned - old float, old electronics may not work or last very long - but worth a try

 

...Milty 

I  lost a fuel pump in a 98 Forester two years ago.

Rather than just replace the pump since it was less work, I swapped the assembly from a 97 Legacy that had died from other causes. Its still running today.

Unless the tank was drained, you don't get oxidation on the copper lines. If necessary a swipe or two with 1000 or finer paper will be all that you need.

I've never heard of the float itself going bad.

 

O.

no - the float itself doesn't "go bad", but the little circuit board it swipes across does get worn out, dirty, etc and fails.

 

my 1990 had that problem, would only read from full to 3/4, then drop to E until it got down to around 1/4 then it would start reading again... =/ I just learned to reset the trip meter every time i got gas, and would refill at or around 225 miles, give or take a few. (most of my driving was rural roads - 45-55mph)

"I" would do your suggested trip odometer hack but car is my 18 year old son just got his license/bought the sub a couple weeks ago - he won't watch odometer - I'll be rescuing him when he runs out of gas. 

 

...Milty 

completely understand! =D

Been busy - going to call a few auto wrecking yards tomorrow - if I find float assembly I'll put it in this weekend. 

 

...Milty 

According to auto wrecking in my town (he has one) the fuel pump and sending unit is one component (years 95, 96, 97) son's Sub is a 96 - I have not had a chance to check my son's car for the two access panels mentioned in this thread - one for pump , one for float sending unit. Any thoughts?

 

Milty

LOL, you misunderstand how it is set up.

 

there is the main fuel pump and float assembly on the right (passenger) side of the car, but there is also a secondary float assembly along with a jet pump pickup on the left (drivers) side that moves fuel over the driveshaft hump.

So basically there are TWO float assemblies that are supposed to work together to tell the gauge the fuel level.

If one or the other of those float assemblies quits working, the fuel gauge will not work correctly.

Ah ok. Wonder which one the auto wrecking yard has? - but I still think he is claiming there is only one unit in entire tank. Going to check this morning - so there is two access panels? My luck I'll replace the one that's good - regarding fuel gauge operation. 

 

....Milty

yes, there are 2 access panels - one on each side of the car, just behind the rear seats.

 

there is only one actual fuel pump - on the passenger side, and is most likely what the junkyard has/is referring to.

 

of all the Subaru's I have owned (on my fourth road legal one - have also had several "parts" cars, and the other half has had a few as well), only one really had a gauge issue and I had no luck trying to fix it, so I learned to live with using the trip meter trick.

Edited October 23, 20169 yr by heartless

Thought about trip meter trick but its my 18 yr old sons car and I know he won't keep track and will run out of gas and then I need to rescue him. I'm hoping fuel pump/ sending unit from junk yard (40 bucks) will do the trick. 

 

odd thing is if I fill tank up completely gauge will read about half full for a couple of days and then drop back down to empty - assume little circuit board is going and its not a float issue.

 

....Milty