Big Dog

I have a 1992 Mazda Protege. When I turned on the car yesterday, the fuel gauge did not move and it has not moved since. It is stuck below the E. I know there is gas in the tank. Does anyone know what the problem could be and how to fix it?

djs2571

#1 - check to see if a fuse blew
#2 - a wire probably corroded off last time you ran the car, hit a bump or something that was the last straw.
Next time it rains, see if it moves at all. I know i've had wires corrode off and they will occasionally start 'kind of' working when they get soaking wet. If so, that is pointing to it being outside the car so you can track down the location easier.
Good luck.

Big Dog

Thanks for the response. I filled up the tank yesterday and the fuel gauge is working now. It had about a quarter-tank when it stopped working. Not sure if this means the problem is resolved or if it will reappear when the tank starts to get low again.

eycortes

I have a 2008 Mazda 3 and I was hit from behind. There was no physical damage other than small scratches but when I drove the car the next day the fuel gauge was not working and the engine light was one. I've taken in for a free check engine light evaluation and when they've connected the obd reader, it indicated that two sensors had high input. I've been told that I would have to replace the fuel pump or that it might be the oxygen sensor. Do you know if this might cause further problems to the car? Will it affect the exhaust or catalytic converter or any other parts of the car? Or if it is dangerous to drive the car this way?

djs2571

If the gauge dies at a certain fuel level, it's probably the sending unit that's worn out. I've seen that before with some erratic fuel gauge readings, essentially it's a dead spot in the sensor - it'll keep getting worse til it stops all together.
If you want to leave it, just make sure to know how much mileage you get on a full tank... and it helps if you have a low fuel light, this is sometimes a second sensor in the tank, which is a good backup in your situation.