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fuel guage erratic

I know there's been many issues with the Z fuel guage but mines a bit different . Sometimes it says I'm on empty sometime reads ok but not accurately ie

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Old 09-02-2020, 02:40 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default fuel guage erratic

I know there's been many issues with the Z fuel guage but mines a bit different . Sometimes it says I'm on empty sometime reads ok but not accurately ie half tank show 3/4 and other odd combinations. When fuel gets low car will cut out for a second on right turns . Almost seems like a loose connection . Any help with a possible cause greatly appreciated
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Old 09-02-2020, 02:46 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Called fuel starve when it cuts out on right hand turns. You might also have a broken top hat. While you're in there check the level sensor.
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Old 09-02-2020, 03:08 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Called fuel starve when it cuts out on right hand turns. You might also have a broken top hat. While you're in there check the level sensor.
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Old 09-02-2020, 07:55 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Old 09-08-2020, 05:30 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Getting ready to dig into this but I'm a bit confused . Are there two pumps ? One on each side . Which one is responsible or most likely to be or do I need to replace both . Do I need to replace only the sending units and top hat ? Or could the broken hat top cause both the guage and fuel starve issues.. Sorry for the dumb questions . Any help appreciated

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Old 09-08-2020, 06:02 PM   #6 (permalink)
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There is one pump, on the pass side. 2 fuel floats, one on each side. The top hat for the fuel pump on the pass side has a bad habit of breaking.
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Old 09-08-2020, 06:13 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Thank you . So the fuel starvation is more than likely the top hat . I'm assuming the erratic/intermitten fuel gauge reading could be either float
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Old 09-08-2020, 06:20 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Thank you . So the fuel starvation is more than likely the top hat . I'm assuming the erratic/intermitten fuel gauge reading could be either float
No, the fuel starve is caused by the fuel going away from the fuel pump. The fuel pump is on the right side. Make a hard right turn. All the fuel ends up on the left side. There is not baffle to stop it. The only baffle in the tank is for front to rear fuel movement.
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Old 09-08-2020, 06:28 PM   #9 (permalink)
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I'm going to sound stupid but I thought you said the pump was on the passenger side which is the left side ?
The fuel gauge will sometimes read empty and sometimes read close to actual but not correct . The top hat can cause that as well ?
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Old 09-08-2020, 06:33 PM   #10 (permalink)
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I am stupid . Paasenger is right side
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Old 09-08-2020, 07:37 PM   #11 (permalink)
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I am stupid . Paasenger is right side
I've been working on cars for 40+ years and still have to stop and think about which side is vehicle left/right sometimes.
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Old 09-08-2020, 07:48 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z View Post
I've been working on cars for 40+ years and still have to stop and think about which side is vehicle left/right sometimes.
That's like Port and Starboard. Curbside and Roadside.
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Old 09-14-2020, 02:14 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankiev View Post
I'm going to sound stupid but I thought you said the pump was on the passenger side which is the left side ?
The fuel gauge will sometimes read empty and sometimes read close to actual but not correct . The top hat can cause that as well ?
The fuel level sensor could be broken or worn causing it read inconsistently. Or the top hat could have broken causing it read incorrectly as the sensor would not know which way is up. Sometimes an in-tank hose can be caught on the sensor and cause it read funny.

The car will fuel starve on right hand turns whether the top hat is broken or not. The less fuel there is in the tank, the more likely you are to experience it. A broken top hat can make it fuel starve much worse.

All the questions will be answered by removing the passenger side assembly and examining it, and testing it if necessary.
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Old 09-14-2020, 01:33 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z View Post
I've been working on cars for 40+ years and still have to stop and think about which side is vehicle left/right sometimes.
In the airplane world its always looking forward. I don't know why Automotive industry never adopted that. still refer to pax or driver side. what do you do with British cars?

In helicopter world, driver sits on right side.
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Old 09-14-2020, 05:34 PM   #15 (permalink)
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As far as I know, it is also universally accepted in automotive that it is factored when looking forward. Though it did take me years to finally accept that. Any time my brain is on hold for it, I remember LHD vs RHD cars.
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