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Your Sorentos fuel system allows the vehicle to run by feeding gasoline from the tank to the engine. Four components --- the fuel tank, pump, filter and injector --- comprise your vehicles fuel system. Gas gauge malfunction occurs when the fuel tank ing unit no longer properly communicates with the dashboard gas gauge.
Fuel Guage Function
The fuel gauge system consists of the gas gauge and gas tank er. Turning on the Sorentos ignition provides power to the gas gauge, causing current to flow between the two coils connecting the gauge with the gas tank er. When your tank nears empty, the float measuring the amount of gas in the tank will go to the bottom, so most of the current flows directly to the tank er, where it passes on to a ground wire. More fuel placed in the tank causes the float to rise, ing more current to the operating coil of the dash gauge, allowing the needle to move closer to the full mark. Electrical friction from the gas tank er guides the current to either the tank er or the dash gauge.
Guage Malfunction
A loose ground wire connected to the tank er causes the majority of gauge malfunctions. If turning on the ignition does not cause the dash gauge needle to move when the tank has gas, then an interruption exists that is keeping the battery current from reaching the gas gauge. A defective gas gauge or tank er will keep the dash gauge needle from moving in either direction when turning the ignition on or off. A lower than accurate gas gauge reading suggests a connection issue exists between the gas gauge and tank er, while a higher than accurate gas gauge reading suggests a wiring malfunction in the tank er unit. A defective gas gauge unit will cause the dash gauge to read empty regardless of the amount of gas in the tank.
Helpful Repair Tips
Check to ensure that all wires are tight and that connections are clean of any dirt or rust. This will eliminate or help narrow down the cause of the gauge malfunction. If malfunction persists, contact your local mechanic to schedule maintenance. Kia Sorento repair manuals are available for purchase online for as little as $10 dollars each (as of 2010).
