zane.woodrow Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Bought a '87 GL-10 Turbo about a month ago with a blown head. Doing slow work on it right now but i'm replacing many of the vacuum lines and ALL of the coolant lines, as well as the T-stat, timing belts, and a few other odds and ends. During the three days that I did drive the car with the blown head gasket (before I realized it) I noticed that the fuel gauge was totally unreliable. I put 5 bucks in the car and the digidash read only one chip below full. After about 30 minutes of driving around my fuel light kicked on. Same with 10$, etc, reads almost full of full and then starts to work, then screw up again. My question is how difficult it would be to install an aftermarket fuel gauge in my sube, I have read about it being done, and although all the other gauges work good on the digidash, I woud like to have a more precise idea of how much fuel is left in my car. I know that I might be required to go with a new sending unit in the tank for an analog dash, or is there a better digital dash? but 8 or 9 led's representing my fuel is kind of misleading at times. Any ideas? Has anyone done this? Thanks in advance. Zane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortysayhi Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I would try a new sender unit for the digi dash. Also maybe check that your wiring for the sender unit to the rest of the harness are plugged in right. today i checked mine after i was having issues with my fuel gauge and one wire wasn't fully connected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zane.woodrow Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 But as far as wiring an analog fuel gauge I think that a different sending unit is probably required. Have you found the digidash reliable when it functions properly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortysayhi Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Yes mine is accurate as hell! i also have the trip computer in my car as well. but do you have the Green or orangeish yellow dash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zane.woodrow Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 I have the green led dash, not the amber one found on subarus 86 and prior. I heard the amber dash was never working right in the 86 and pre 86 models. The dash is cool, however, how do I know how much one notch is on the fuel guage? And also any other reccomendations for the sube while I do the head gasket and timing belts? This is my first subaru and so far has been pretty easy to work on. Im totally open to what people have to reccomend when it comes to modding. The car had a boost controller on it, (most likely the reason that it blew a head gasket...) I would like to scrap it, unless there really is some sort of benefit to it. I would love to have more horsepower, however am not interested in going into the engine after this headgasket. I'm on the bus right now. No fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zane.woodrow Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 And the trip computer does not work, doesn't even turn on, is there a fuse for that? any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortysayhi Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I would take the boost controller off and install a boost gauge if theres not one in it already. (helps me know when I'm actually boosting seeing as the one on the dash says its running when its really not) i can be doing 55 and be at 5lbs and the dash turbo light is engaged but 6 is where I actually get boost. I normally fill my tank when it gets a notch above the red mark and end up putting in around 11-12 gallons. (I have the amber dash) so I'm not sure how many notches you have compared to me or if its the same. I usually also average 33-35 highway on that 12 gallons. as for the Trip computer thing, i would check the connections. as far as i know (not a master at subarus ha) but i don't think there is a fuse. I would personally just replace most if not all fuses, to be on the safe side (who knows it could fix your gauge issue. You are correct on the analog sender it is pretty different (found that out today as well). but there is always that route. Different question is yours a sedan or wagon? and maybe post some pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKghandi Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 My 87gl-10 has the green digidash and 20 (4.00 a gal puts it right above half a tank When I run out Of bars I have about 40 miles left depending on my mood. If yo pull up the carpet in the back there's an access panel to get to the sending unit. I bet if you pull it out the problem will be obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKghandi Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 (edited) Opps Edited March 21, 2012 by AKghandi Double post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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