Fuel gauge finally died

[Clydesvx]

Well after only 267,000 miles my fuel gauge has found a resting spot below E. Has anyone replaced their fuel pump and gauge sending unit? How much trouble is it? Should I just continue using my trip odometer to determine when to fuel up!!

[JaySVX]

Fuel pump shouldn't have anything to do with it, but that's the easiest to replace. I would guess it's either the sending unit or the guage itself. The guage you can replace, i would get a donor instrument cluster from a wrecked car, personally, as OEM would be a nightmare. Also you could get an aftermarket fuel guage and mount it somewhere. The sending unit i'm not sure where it is, but you can check it with a multi-meter to see if it's good or not, via some wires in the dash or under it.

[Manarius]

I would say it's the sending unit contacts being corroded. That's the way it usually is on the Legacys. The replacement of the sending unit requires that one remove the fuel pump from the car. Unfortunately, they usually just corrode up again.

[davew833]

I've replaced the fuel pump and sending units together-- it's not tremendously hard. It helps if you have the replacement beforehand to see how it fits together since the whole assembly has to fit down into the tank through a 4" hole under the back seat. It's kind of like building a ship in a bottle. The good news is that the pieces clip together on a hanger inside the tank, and that it's all done from inside the car-- no need to drop the tank or get under the car.

[Dominus]

Wow! It only made it to 267,000 miles...you should really complain to Subaru. Those bastards!

[msvx95]

I agree with Jason.....I had a legacy also and the sending unit does corrode, my gauge would act funny every now and then.... Also check your battery terminals and clean off any buildup with a wire brush.

[Suby Fan]

J shows the location of the sensor

[Hocrest]

Does the gauge work sporadically? Then the contacts are going bad.

Or is it just constantly below "E"? Then I would guess the gauge itself or a broken wire along the way.

[Clydesvx]

Thanks for the input folks. I guess I'll check the wiring first then if all else fails I'll try to replace the pump and sending unit. At least I won't have to drop the tank. I did the same job on an '88 bronco. That was a bear.