fuel gauge blues

[Hookemupman]

I just purchased a used 98 quadcab dually and the fuel gauge will read properly and all of a sudden it goes to empty and the chime for low fuel goes off,do you think its just the sending unit?

 

[rono]

On my '98, I had to have the fuel sending unit replaced twice.

That is probably what is wrong with yours.

Ron

 

[JMLewis]

I also have a 98 with the same problem, which started about four days after having a BD chip, exhaust-brake and autolok and pressure lok installed. The installer swears it's not related.

My local mechanic says 350. 00 for the sending unit plus labor, so I would be interested in what you find out and your cost.

 

[cumminsgetme]

A lot of times you can simply clean the contacts on the sending unit. That's what I did with mine 4 years ago..... it's worked ever since.

 

[JMLewis]

Thanks for the tip cumminsgetme, sure sounds like it's worth a try, soon as I burn up about 20 gals of fuel I will try it. Also saw a post about lengthening the fuel hoses to make it easier next time. I already destroyed the electrical connection trying to get it apart, anyone have any tips on getting them apart when they are frozen?

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I replaced the sending unit on my 97 this summer. I got about 125k on it before it went to "E" & stayed there. I dropped the tank, took the module out, and replaced the sending unit. It cost me about $48. 00 at the dealer. You don't have to replace the entire module, just the sending unit. It's the part that has the float arm & fload, it attatches to the module with two screws. The $300+ figure JMLewis got was more than likely for the entire module. My sending unit came with a new gasket too.

 

[swamp rat]

Fuel Line extensions

Here is the thread I posted a several weeks back about making it easier to drop the tank the next time.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21922&highlight=fuel+tank





I did run into a small snag when I broke the retainer clip off the sending unit connector while trying to get them apart. Nothing major, just a positive lock clip that snapped. All else still works as it should.



One thing about the plastic wire loom (if you so choose), the return line will fit nicely in 1/2 looming, and the supply line will need 3/4 inch looming. I highly recommend it to prevent chafing the rubber lines.

 

[John]

Yup!

I had the same problem Hoookemupman described several weeks to a month after I purchased my Ram new in early June of '98 ('98. 5 24v). Soon after, I started using a Diesel fuel conditioner (Red Line 85+ at the time) and have not experienced this condition again (I now have over 60k mi. ). However, I'm still going to replace my fuel level sender as it has been reading with progressively decreasing accuracy for about 6 months now . Oh well.



Dennis, you are correct, the float assy. is all that requires replacing... no need to spend the three bills for the entire fuel sender module.

 

[Deezul1]

Some guys are tilting the bed up to keep from dropping the tank, say its lot easier, also I believe there is some info maybe on Dave Fritzs RamPage web site on a very good fix for these units that costs next to nothing. Maybe somebody has the info handy.

 

[JMLewis]

IT took some research but I finally found the fix posted on Dave Fritz's Ram Page. It seems pretty simple. Thanks! The post is in the main index / Huey C's fuel guage sender repair. there is a link to another repair that requires machining but has nice pix's.