Nissan Repair: stuck fuel gauge?, fuel sending unit, minor impact

Question
My 2001 Altima was recently rear-ended very slightly.  So slightly that the only visible damage is that the trunk lid sticks up slightly on passenger side near trunk hinges.  However, my fuel gauge has not come off of full+ after driving for 5 days, relatively short distances.  Could a minor impact have caused the sensor inside the fuel cell to become stuck?

Answer
Hi Robert -

Yes, this is very possible. The fuel sending unit is in the fuel tank, which, of course is at the rear of the vehicle. It is an intricate unit that is sensitive to shock. The float may have been jammed in the "full" position. The only way to check that out it to remove the fuel tank to access the sending unit. Some models, however have a little access panel under the back seat to remove the sending unit from the tank without removing the tank. Might want to check that out -

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin