Question About the Cluster

[joebreck117]

Ok, so when my dad bought the car ('91 L), it had the boring 'tach'less instrument cluster. He quickly realized how boring it was and found an orange lettered cluster w/ tach.
Now, if I understand correctly, the gas guage works by resistance.
Do yall know of any difference in the guages of the various clusters? Meaning, do they each take a different amount of resistance to show full/empty?
I ask this because when I fill up the tank all the way, the needle passes the F mark by.....a millimeter or two. Same for as it runs low. It hits the empty mark and then continues past it for another millimeter or two. Now, I know a millimeter isn't much and that I can live with this, but I was curious and figured I'd ask. Any ideas?

[scottxd45]

I've never had a vehicle that the fuel gauge didn't go above the full mark when full. I would say it is functioning normally.

[GenevaDirt]

^^agreed...if I push the fill up...it will go a little past full. And from my past experience....most cars will go below empty also. I think the car manufacturers say empty before it actually is so you have less chance of running out of fuel

[scitzz]

x3 !

[25Horseplay]

When my 89 L is halfway between E and 1/4 tank I am empty (don't ask how I know) But goes above F when filled up. I have thought about taking apart the dash and moving the needle.

[joebreck117]

Okay thanks guys! :thumbright:

[geezerstiva]

hmm... my 89 L will go down past the red into the E (dont ask how i know either, :lol and still have about a gallon in it. oh, but i still have the "boring" non tach cluster. :lol:

[Safety Guy]

When I switched to my tach cluster, I found that there was no room for error in the fuel gage. When it approaches empty, it will run out, whereas the old "boring" cluster always gave some leeway.

I go by mileage now. When I get to 200 miles, it's time to get gas. I'm only getting around 27mpg, and I think my tank pickup is high. I usually run out when I have about 2 gallons left in the tank. I should redo and recheck the pickup and float when I redo the car.

Karl