2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel Gauge always reads empty.

[dfettig]

1999 Dodge Ram 2500 4 wheel drive with a Cummins.
Fuel gauge currently always reads empty,with fuel empty light always on.
The gauge was intermittent for awhile. Is there a way to troubleshoot the tank float assemble without dropping the tank? Is the problem just the variable resistor in the tank or the whole assemble? Any other checks I should perform before I drop the tank and start replacing parts? I may be reached at 218 287 2800 for a quick fix over the phone. Dave Fettig.

 

[DCreed]

1999 Dodge Ram 2500 4 wheel drive with a Cummings.
Fuel gauge currently always reads empty,with fuel empty light always on.
The gauge was intermittent for awhile. Is there a way to troubleshoot the tank float assemble without dropping the tank? Is the problem just the variable resistor in the tank or the whole assemble? Any other checks I should perform before I drop the tank and start replacing parts? I may be reached at 218 287 2800 for a quick fix over the phone. Dave Fettig.

hate to say it but Cummins guys HATE that!
anyways, you can do a search on fuel level senders or draw straws or tank mods quite a bit of info on here! if the sender is bad the tank must come down or the bed must go up. most fellas do the draw straw or rear lift pump mod while the sender is out. also check the float as it tends to come apart on some trucks. hope this helps. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/search.php?searchid=357197

 

[TRoss]

my fuel tank has been spending a lot of time on empty lately, too. Every time I go to the pump to fill it up, the money keeps going up and it doesn't get any fuller. Sometimes I have to run my credit card three times before she'll fill, I think it must all be running out the bottom somewhere . . . a big hemorrhage of green flowing down the drain somewhere . . .



seriously, though. welcome. I know nothing about fuel sending units, but I couldn't resist. the search ought to help a lot.

 

[LHastings]

I had mind one time to stick in the full position and it would not go down. I got underneath the truck and hit the fuel tank with a rubber mallet and that jarred it loose. The fuel level unit is a variable resistance feed. I don't know what the resistance value is, but if could somewhere unplug it and fake a value into the circuit you could tell if it is the sending unit or the instrument gauge.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you don't need the complete sending unit assembly, just the level assembly. can't remember how much it costs at the Dodge house offhand, but it's not too bad.



the install is a pain in the you know what though!!!

 

[JNasty]

Just at about a 1/2 tank mine dances around till finally rests on E. I just make sure I reset trip gauge every fill up and not go past 500 miles. :-laf