1997 3.1 4dr sedan fuel guage?

[gogi]

Hi,new to the forum,live in north NJ have a little mechanical ability but no good on electrics.
Just got my stepmoms car from her estate.Has 45K on it and power everything.Several weeks ago the belt tentioner snapped off $200 to fix,last week the alternator went bad $126 to replace.Went to install it and the back bolt stripped out the threads when removed (didn't notice it till I went to install).
When I got the car a month ago and 2 tanks of gas the guage worked for the first tank but didn't for the second tank,ran out of gas? What usually is the problem for the guage NOT to work properly?Any help will e greatly appreciated.

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

What is the fuel gauge doing. Does it read at all?

The fuel pump assembly has a level and float sending unit. When it acts up you will get erratic fuel gauge readings. Or it can be wiring problems to it such as the harness or the electrical connector. It can be replaced separately or as part of a complete fuel pump pod. To replace it the fuel tank must be dropped down. See pic.

[gogi]

It's irratic but not jumping around.It goes from full to half back to full even empty.It doesn't light a low fuel light either.Where does that plug end up? Can I get to it to check the connection to see if it's tight or clean without dropping the tank first?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by gogi

It's irratic but not jumping around.It goes from full to half back to full even empty.It doesn't light a low fuel light either.Where does that plug end up? Can I get to it to check the connection to see if it's tight or clean without dropping the tank first?

Yep, sounds like the level sensor. Yes, the connector is visible from outside the fuel tank. It will look like the one in the pic. Both fuel pump signal and fuel level signal go through that connector. Good luck!