I suspect that the 'float' has become detached from the arm of the fuel lever sender because the gas needle flops over to "E" when the key is clicked on. No fluctuating erratic needle reading prior to this. As BobG would say, "this is no big deal" , simply replace the unit...But how do I deal with the errant cylindrical float itself? Has anyone experienced this?
I'm thinking I could fill the tank with cheap 87 octane (it's about half full now with the old expensive juice) so the float, being at the top of the fuel, could be (might be?) snagged with kitchen tongs ....or, since I should drain all that old fuel that's been sitting so long, I could fish around with something pointed and sharp and hope to spear it out.