Odyssey EX V6-3.5L (1999)
Fuel Gauge: All Technical Service Bulletins
Fuel Gauge & Low Fuel Indicator Accuracy Check
SOURCE:
Honda Service News March 2003
TITLE:
Charting the Fuel Gauge and the Low Fuel Indicator
APPLIES TO:
1998-03 Accord, 1996-03 Civic, or 1999-03 Odyssey
SERVICE TIP:
If an owner is leery of the fuel gauge or low fuel indicator accuracy and worries about running out of fuel, you may be able to restore faith in the
accuracy of this hardware by charting the operation.
If the fuel gauge, the low fuel indicator, or both doesn't give your customer a warm, fuzzy feeling, don't replace the fuel gauge or the sending unit until
you've first charted the fuel gauge needle position and low fuel indicator status. You rarely improve accuracy by replacing fuel gauges and sending units.
To chart the fuel gauge needle position and the low fuel indicator status, do this:
1. Have your customer bring in the vehicle when the fuel tank is nearly empty.
2. Drain any remaining fuel from the tank.
3. Park the vehicle on a flat surface, and add 2 gallons of fuel to the tank with the ignition switch turned to LOCK (0).
4. Start the engine, and note the fuel gauge needle position after 2 minutes. Draw a picture of the fuel gauge showing the position of the needle. Also
note on your drawing if the low fuel indicator is on or off. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
5. Add 2 more gallons of fuel to the tank. Start the engine, and note the position of the needle after 2 minutes. Draw another picture of the fuel
gauge showing the current position of the needle. Note the status of the low fuel indicator. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
6. Repeat step 5 until the fuel tank is full. Then give your customer all of the pictures you've drawn. They're usually enough to convince even the
staunchest Doubting Thomas.
