Take the sender apart (if you don't know how, follow the instructions in this thread). Very carefully inspect both of the wires that run the length of the sender; these are resistance wires and the action of the float creates a variable resistance that makes the fuel gauge respond. If these wires are oxidized then the sliders in the float won't make good contact. The slider itself can also have oxidation problems but yours sounds more like the wires. Be gentle! I recommend 0000 (quad-zero) steel wool. Take your time. You should be able to feel the difference between the oxidized and non-oxidized sections. This might have been caused by water in the fuel. Don't leave any stray bits of steel wool to cause short-circuits later. Check the low fuel switch contacts while you're in there. Make sure the center rod is smooth so the float will not stick. Put it back together and re-install.

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970