2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2001 3500 fuel gauge fluctuation/failure

[CConley]

I have a stock 2001 3500 dodge diesel. At about 85k the fuel gauge read 1/4 full when I ran out of fuel. No low fuel warning before running out. I initially thought that the lift pump failed and replaced it, truck wouldn't prime and this is when I discovered I was actually out of fuel. I have read about fuel sender float failure, although I question wether or not this is the problem since my truck reads full when filled and at some point begins to come down to 1/4 full and remains there. I use the mileage computer to gauge consumption. I ran out at 443 miles and now fill up at about 375 miles. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[AfterBurner]

my '02 runs out of fuel at 1/8 of a tank on the guage and my brothers '02 runs out at 1/4 on the guage. Both of us found out the hard way. My needle sits on full for quite a while, so I think the guage works correctly it's just the calibration is off, so it doesn't match the lines on the guage cluster.

Forrest

 

[fest3er]

It's been known to happen with a few trucks. Search the TDR archives (and maybe do a general internet search) for this. I have a fuzzy memory of seeing this come up in the past and a fuzzy memory of a solution.

In contrast, my '98 12V doesn't run out of fuel until the needle is fully two widths below the empty tic. The sender in the tank's been wore out for years; full is full, and empty is empty, but in between, the reading is often pseudo-random.