My fuel gauge shows empty between 100km to 200km on the tank and has only used 10-15l. What could be the cause of this? faulty fuel sender?

Can this be replaced by a standard mechanic?

Just to double check, do you mean it works ok with a full tank but after driving for a couple of litres of fuel, it drops all the way to 0?

I have the same issue and replacing the fuel sender didn't help. I'm wondering if it's the cluster but I haven't picked up a spare one to check yet.

Just to double check, do you mean it works ok with a full tank but after driving for a couple of litres of fuel, it drops all the way to 0?

I have the same issue and replacing the fuel sender didn't help. I'm wondering if it's the cluster but I haven't picked up a spare one to check yet.


Yes exactly the same issue jumped from a 1/4 to 1/2 a tank in 2 minutes today

Yours sounds different, if it's continually jumping around its probably the sender. Mine just drops like a stone and doesn't move until I fill the tank

Yours sounds different, if it's continually jumping around its probably the sender. Mine just drops like a stone and doesn't move until I fill the tank

Mine drops slowly to about 150km-200km the petrol light goes on.One tank it was on at 100kms.If a park the car sometimes it can drop 1/4 of a tank when i start it again

Fuel sender is easy to replace. Around $140 from mitsubishi genuine and takes about 30 mins to replace. If you left it to a mechanic to do, it would probably cost around $200.

Fuel sender is easy to replace. Around $140 from mitsubishi genuine and takes about 30 mins to replace. If you left it to a mechanic to do, it would probably cost around $200.

Anywhere to buy it online for a TJ series 2?

TBH you're probably better off heading down to your local stealership and picking one up brand new. You could try rockauto or similar, but I wouldn't trust a no-name eBay one.

I have a TL sedan that when filled shows full then as some fuel is used the gauge reading drops. Is that the same problem?

What about if you put $20 or $40 in rather than filling it?

Fuel gauges are pretty inaccurate even when working correctly. I go by the "distance to empty" mostly. That and the low fuel warning light don't seem to be affected by an errant fuel gauge.

Fuel gauges are pretty inaccurate even when working correctly. I go by the "distance to empty" mostly. That and the low fuel warning light don't seem to be affected by an errant fuel gauge.

Can someone confirm that that low fuel light isn't related to the faulty fuel sender? I can handle the guage going bung but if when the light comes on and its a true indication that you need to fill up then I won't bother changing the unit......

just got a fuel sender quote in Bendigo Mitsubishi $142 for the Part.....any suggestions on a cheaper place to get hold of these or should i suck it up a pay that much?

RRP is $135 so not that far off give you are not in a metro area where there is competition

Can someone confirm that that low fuel light isn't related to the faulty fuel sender? I can handle the guage going bung but if when the light comes on and its a true indication that you need to fill up then I won't bother changing the unit......
Low fuel light sensor is at a fixed level in the tank and does not move like the fuel gauge float.
Not always good to rely on the light as they fail without warning. As they are fixed they are reliable when working.
Good point to remember is that hilly terrain affects them so there can be less in the tank than you think sometimes when it finally illuminates.
Tested quite a few manufacturers over the years and generally light comes on when there is around 10 litres left in the tank.
Some small cars are a bit less. Not so good if your in the country!! Vee

Low fuel light sensor is at a fixed level in the tank and does not move like the fuel gauge float.
Not always good to rely on the light as they fail without warning. As they are fixed they are reliable when working.
Good point to remember is that hilly terrain affects them so there can be less in the tank than you think sometimes when it finally illuminates.
Tested quite a few manufacturers over the years and generally light comes on when there is around 10 litres left in the tank.
Some small cars are a bit less. Not so good if your in the country!! Vee

Thanks Vee. So I gather from that the Low light sensor doesn't have anything to do with the fuel sender and the fuel sender only determines the level you see on the dash.
What about the Trip computer with DTE and Fuel used etc?....would that still roughly read correctly even if the sender is playing up?

i just had this same problem, you can go to mitsi-bits in lonsdale ( I see your in south Australia ) i got a second hand one for $50 and took me about 20-30 mins to do it with a friend

My sender hasn't worked since I bought my car, so I just use the amount of fuel used.
Once I hit about 60 - 65 litres I start looking to fill up. I have almost been caught out once or twice.
Worst case I had was I hit about 72 litres used and my car was coughing and spluttering but was lucky I was near a servo.

Mine no matter how much fuel is in it sticks at zero and remains there, though the light still works.

I've got a 2000 Executive.

What about the Trip computer with DTE and Fuel used etc?....would that still roughly read correctly even if the sender is playing up?
The trip computer calculates fuel usage from monitoring injector pulses, and has no feed from the sender - except that when the low fuel light comes on, the trip computer blanks out the distance-to-empty display.