bouncing fuel guage

[rwhite65]

Ever since I bought my car 12 years ago, my gas gauge has bounced. It will show empty usually when I first turn it on, but as I drive it for a while, it will bounce all over the place, then finally come to the amount it actually has. I think the gauge is actually accurate, because it will eventually show full when it is, and I have ran it down quite low before as a test also.

Even though it works after a while, sometimes it will just start bouncing again for no reason. I have never been an electrical genius, although I have been getting better as of late. Any suggestions? Sometimes flicking the gauge with a finger nail helps, although not always. I am replacing all the gauges next summer, but thought if there were any tests I could do I would do them now for the experience.

Thanks
Ryan