Gas gauge started out a little jumpy this morning, resting at proper fuel level and occaisionally jumping higher. The needle started getting more and more excited, banging wildly against the far right of the gauge every couple of seconds (but never going lower than actual fuel level).

I stopped the car and looked up for the space ship but none were around. Wiring around the fuel level sender was secure and well insulated. Wiring under the dash seemed secure as well. I considered disconnecting the gauge wiring to prevent any self mutilation of the needle but decided that wouldn't give it a chance to "self-heal".

Sure enough, a couple more miles down the road the gauge settled down and was fine the remaining 60 miles of the commute.

The gauge has never before shown any signs of strange behavior. No changes were made to the car between the last drive and this morning. The car was fueled at a station far from home and unknown to me last Friday but the gauge was fine for the 45 mile trip back home.

Any thoughts on what might have caused such violent jumping of the gas gauge needle are welcome.

Joe M in WV