Fuel Gauge Issue

[mo1100]

Hi, we just picked up our first corolla, a 1994 1.3 xli liftback. The car has a few small issues which need tackling. Most important thing is the fuel gauge. When we bought it the needle was showing 1/4 full, we filled up and the needle went to the top. Then it got stuck at around 3/4 full and stayed there until today when I put in some petrol and it went back to the top. We definitely used most of the tank in between fills.
When I take the key out of the ignition the fuel needle stays where it was but the temp needle drops. I tried removing the fuse for the gauges but the needle didn't move. I also removed the gauge cluster and unplugged the connector at the back of the fuel gauge side but the needle stayed where it was.
Any ideas on what's causing this?
Thanks in advance!

 

[IFMJohn]

Those needles are controlled by an electromagnet. If they are getting stuck it's either a physical problem with the guage or power being supplied at all times (unlikely)

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[Kev250R]

Sounds like you've got a bad gauge, especially since when you removed power from it (pulling the connector) the gauge didn't move. You should be able to find a replacement cluster at a junk yard or on-line pretty easily.

There is a chance though that the sender in the tank is not working. I don't have the specs in front of me but using a Volt-Ohm meter you should see a change in resistance in the wires going to the sender in the tank. Eaisiest way to check would be take a reading when the tank is full, then take another one when the tank is at a half or nearly empty and there should be a change. My money is on the cluster being bad though.

Kevin