What is wrong with my 1997 honda civic fuel gage?? Please help!!?

[zimmerman]

okay so i have a 1997 honda civic lx 4s. it has about 130k miles on it but theres a slight problem. my fuel gage is always slightly above the F even when i use gas so i have no idea how much gas i have left so i am forced to periodically fill up my gas tank without having an idea of how much gas i actually have. i disassembled the gage cluster and looked it over. i pulled the clear cover off and pushed the fuel gauge down to E with my finger and then started the car and the gauge just slowly rose back to over E again! ive done some research and i dont think the wire is shorted out or the wire wouldnt be moving at all i think.. so i think it either has something to do with the gauge cluster or the sending unit. i was considering buying a new gauge cluster but idk if i would waste money just in case its not the gauge cluster. and a new sending unit would be hard to replace.. but i need help in knowing whats wrong with my car.. the mile counter additionally is not working for it stopped counting miles at some point.. i would appreciate any help one can offer.