Fuel gauge not working

1_GRENDAL

MEMBER
1996 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
205,891 MILES

The fuel gauge is not working.

The car did not pass the California smog test. I found the problem to be the check engine light was bad and the EGR passage plugs were plugged.

The fuel gauge was working before I removed the instrument cluster so I could replace the check engine bulb.
At this time the needle is showing a full tank and will not move to indicate less than full.
I have checked the three screws that bring power to the gauge. I have physically moved the gauge to empty and watched the slow rise to full.
Unplugged and re-plugged the instrument cluster wires (to insure I had good connections).
The Haynes book does not seem to have a check out procedure for this. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

4 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Does the fuel gauge do a sweep test when you first turn the car on, or is it completely stuck on the Full line? It could be bad ground wiring to cluster.

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Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 AT 10:12 PM

1_GRENDAL

MEMBER
2 POSTS

No it does not do a sweep test.

I have checked the three plug wires that plug into the cluster for frayed wires or something (grounding etc.).

I know I am stuck on the idea that it worked before I took the thing apart and that its malfunction is related to me putting my hands on it, but maybe it is just coincidence; possible fuel sender.

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Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 AT 11:46 PM

AUSTIN ROBERT

MEMBER
1 POST

Did you end up solving this issue? I am having a similar problem with my 93 accord, removed dash and cluster to install led bulbs, everything worked when I put it back together, then I noticed fuel gage not working, took it back out to investigate and now all of the gages are dead, I just got a different unit in from ebay, installed it as is and none of the gages are working on it either, temp gage rises to high, no response from tach. I checked all of my fuses and none are blown.

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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 5:05 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

So, there is a ground wire that needs to be connected one is on the left side of the instrument panel. Also, there are three fuses that run the system here is the cluster wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to make bigger)