2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Bad Fuel Gauge?

[Dave Ratcliffe]

I took my truck to the dealer a couple weeks ago for my fuel gauge reading high. I can put over 400 miles on the 1st half of the tank and about 150 on the last half. They checked the voltage from the sender and said it was fine and sent me packing.



I just made another appointment, since I just put 31. 5 gallons in my 35 gallon tank when my gauge was reading just over 1/4 tank before fill-up (the reserve light had not come on yet). Anybody else have this problem?

 

[ddutil]

Mine would read ok when full, then suddenly show empty until the tank gets to 1/4, dance rock-n'-roll, then read ok until empty. That after I used ATF as fuel additive . Cost me $100 CDN to replace the sensor in the thank. I guess some of the ATF 'secret' stuff sticked on the sensor.



It is a stupid sensor, with little resistors arranged in half circle, with a sweeper arm that reads and sends the voltage to the meter. You could try cleaning it with contact cleaner/gasoline if you can remove it from the tank (don't know how that's done, I have talents in electricity, woodwork and computers but not much in mechanics... ).



HTH! Dan

 

[RKelly]

I've had problems with the sending unit in my '99 twice!

Replaced by the dealer twice, under warranty.

Sometimes it would read slightly off, but usually it would just read full all the time.

Ray

 

[pbell]

bad gauge

my 99 had the same problem. dealer fixed it 3 times and the forth time was a charm. they told me the float was sticking and it was a bad design. it has worked fine well over a year now. they also told me that the fourth one was a newer design. the people in the service department arent mechanics so who knows.

 

[stick]

Dave:

Do a search of "Fuel Sender" you will find lots of reading. There is a cheep fix for the sender, or you can purchase a new one for about $45. 00 from the dealer. ( dealer only item ).



Stick

 

[rblomquist]

Originally posted by ddutil

Mine would read ok when full, then suddenly show empty until the tank gets to 1/4, dance rock-n'-roll, then read ok until empty. That after I used ATF as fuel additive . Cost me $100 CDN to replace the sensor in the thank. I guess some of the ATF 'secret' stuff sticked on the sensor.



Dan

You know mine was working fine until I tried some mystery oil for a couple of tanks then my gauge pegged to full. Then I didn't add any mystery oil for a tank or 2 and my gauge came back. Last weekend I added some mystery oil again and shortly thereafter my gauge has pegged to full again .



Is this just stupid coincidence or can some of these additives foul the sender somehow?

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by rblomquist

Is this just stupid coincidence or can some of these additives foul the sender somehow?

I don't see how MMO or ATF could effect the sender but why use them when there are plenty of additives designed for diesel fuel that cost the same or less? Especially ATF, the stuff is designed not to burn and will leave damaging ash deposits in your engine.

 

[ddutil]

Bill, I did that before I joined TDR



I'm a much happier camper now, with the right info at the right time ... and I use Stanadyne or Valvoline additive... Dan



PS the ATF: it made that with one brand, could it be it had Teflon or some sticky chemical in it? I burned at least 10 'clean' tanks after I added the ATF but the sensor kept on acting funny.

 

[_Hyde]

I put 3-4 senders in my '96 and hoped that they had them fixed when I got my '01 but no such luck. Mine quit after I eh-hem, uh, ran out of fuel. Never really read below 3/4 tank after that. New sender fixed it right up. Hope this helps.



Darren

 

[Dave Ratcliffe]

I finally took it to the dealer for the second time and convinced them of the problem. They put a new sender in under warranty and it fixed the problem. Although, now my reserve light comes on with 10 gallons remaining. Now I'm just waiting for my second lift pump to go bad.