I have a 2003 Santa Fe, with the 2.7 V6 engine.
The other day I went out to run some errands. I had just over 1/4 tank of
gas (I glanced at it when I started). After I had been driving for about
10
minutes, I was at a stoplight and I saw the "low fuel light" come on. I
looked and the gas gauge was at "E". In the couple of seconds that I
was
trying to figure out what was going on, the gauge started going up and
stopped at just over 1/4 tank. I was a little concerned, but everything
seemed OK so I continued on.
After I left the store, I started the car but the fuel gauge stayed on
"E".
I keep track of my mileage using the trip odometer, so I knew I wasn't out
(unless I had a major leak). After what happened on the way to the
store,
I figured I really wasn't out of gas, but I was sweating all the way home,
waiting for the engine to quit. After a few minutes of driving, the gauge
went to the correct level. Everything worked fine after that, so it
appears
to be something in the gauge or sensor system.
I have several questions:
I realize nobody can see it, but any suggestions on where the problem is
most likely to be? Based on the symptoms, is it more likely to be the
sender in the tank, or a loose connection somewhere? Would it be
something
I could fix, or is it a dealer type repair?
I don't know if it makes a difference, but I hadn't driven it for a few
days, and we've had 90+ temps and high humidity.
Assuming it is a wiring issue or fault in the gauge, is there any problem
with driving it that way until I get it corrected? I can keep track of
the
mileage so I won't run out of gas, but I didn't know if anything in the
engine computer would get confused if the tank shows "empty" when it's
really not.
I've got an account on the HMAService web site, but I can't find anything
related to gas gauge system. It doesn't show up in the electrical system,
or fuel system diagrams that I can find. Does anyone know where on the
web
site that info would be?
Would this be covered by any of the warranty? I'm at about 5-1/2 years,
67,000 miles. I didn't know if the fuel gauge system might be covered
under
any of the longer warranty items. I didn't see anything in the TSB area
on
the HMA service site.
The other twist to all this is that the car is on a lease that ends in
August. We're probably going to turn it in (probably going for a new
Santa
Fe), so I really don't want to put a big expense into it now.
Any information would be appreciated.
Mike O.
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