fuel gage

the plastic lens cover of the dash you mean? do I move the needle from the top over the peg or go from the bottom? Thank you

yes and counterclockwise over the peg. needs to be like a strong pick-up magnet like at a parts house or Harbor Freight.may have to try it a few times,but it will go back. .post findings.

I went to an auto supply store, there was one good magnet but it could not get situated on the fuel gage area, it did move the MPH needle up though, would a magnet that can lift up to 40 pounds or one that can lift up to 150 pounds be strong enough?? I am willing to try anything that will save me 150-200 dollars for a repair shop to do it.

40 pounds should be more than enough.but the stronger the better!you should't have to pay anything,except the cost of a magnet even if you have to remove the cluster far enough to take the front off of it,but the magnet should work.did you buy the magnet that extends out,like you would carry in your shirt pocket?

No the man at the auto supply store was kind enough to bring out three different size magnets and see if they would work, I didn't have to pay for any. , the 40 and 150 pound ones are from hardware store.

if you can't do it with the magnet,the try this way.fairly easy fix. Unscrew the 2 screws in the top of the plastic trim that encircles the instrument panel. Pop open the lower trim pieces so you can pull that plastic bezel out, the top pulls down and out then the bottom is on spring clips. There are 4 screws that let you take out the instrument panel. Pop off the electrical connector, squeeze the clip on it and pull out. Take the instrument panel and separate the back and front sections, plastic clips just pops off. Lightly tap or move the fuel gauge indicator so it is within operating range. Pop it back together, plug it in and try it.

ok, I wish there was a way I could post you a picture of my dash.

is the magnet not working??you will have to try and move the needle in small amounts.

I am about to go to the hardware store and check out the two magnets, I have my fingers crossed it will work for me, I will let you know.

i see what your instrument panel looks like,the are a bunch of them on e-bay for sell.you have a digital ODOMETER(the part that shows the mileage), correct?

yes, I am hoping the magnet will work out (waiting in traffic). like I said previously, one magnet from auto supply store was moving the hand on speedometer but was too awkward to position over fuel gage.

OK.THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE YOU CAN TRY WHEN YOU GET BACK HOME.REPLY BACK FOR MORE INFO

I bought the round magnet that lifts up to 65 pounds and that won't do it, there is one more available that lifts up to 95 pounds that I will go back and get yet tonight. What did you have in mind that I could still try?

you have a digital odometer that shows your miles on your car i'm sure.ok,now get in the car,push odometer trip button in and hold it in,turn key to ON,NOT START.when the test begins on the odometer let go of the trip button.all the gauges should sweep to the right and back to normal.you can forward through each test by pushing the trip button once,then all the test will start over.maybe get lucky and the fuel needle will go back.post results.

I will try that, what do you mean by all the gauges?, I always reset my trip button when I get gas, is this what you mean by letting it go before it changes? I will let you know if I am lucky for once.

NO!don't reset miles!!push button in before you turn the key on,not start!after you turn the key on,let go of the trip button when the TEST begin.the gauges/needles on the instrument panel will sweep to the right,then back to normal.

you mean the trip button, not my actual miles on my car button, right? and push it in, then let go of the button after I put it on (not start). I will try. I am sorry if I don't actually understand all of this (I am a middle age grandma). Thank you

the same trip button you reset your miles with when you get gas.don't worry,it won't change anything.just push it in before you turn key to on,and hold it in,after you turn the key on the gauge needles should sweep,then let go of it.see what happens.

I did and it just reset my trip miles, I will do it again and see what happens.

be SURE not to turn the key on,before pushing the trip button in first and holding it in until the test begin,then release the button.

I tried the magnet that can lift up to 95 pounds, and it won't even move it, but the magnet moves the RPM needle. I don't understand?? The other idea is only resetting my trip mileage. I am puzzled and frustrated. honestly don't know what else to do. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me for some ideas.

ok!copy and paste this link.step by step instructions for removing the cluster panel.theirs is stuck below empty,but really the same.... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Gas Gauge Below Empty www.sparkys-answers.com/2010/03/1998-oldsmobile-cutlass-gas-gauge...