Fuel Gauge Quit! - Help!

[SLVRBLT]

When I parked the truck Friday evening everything was working and the fuel light had came on a few miles from home. The gauge was reading between a 1/4 and 1/8. I was running on the main tank. No problem, I've got a 90 gal. aux. tank that is at least 1/2 full. Got in it today for a quick trip to town and the fuel gauge doesn't work. No matter what tank I switch to, the fuel guage doesn't react. It stays in the same position as when the key is off except for just a slight flicker when I turn the key on. Checked fuses, but don't find any that say they control the fuel guage? Don't think it's a fuel sender since neither tank registers. All other gauges, lights, etc. are working except on the computer the distance till empty reads two digits, the first digit is a zero and the second looks like a backward C. The second digit looks like a zero with part of it missing. Does this make sense? I can take it to the dealer, but am really curious as to what is causing this? This is the first electronic problem on the truck. Has anyone been through this before? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Dave


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2001 2500 HO 6spd QC LB 4x4 SLTPLUS All options except Snow Plow and Clearance Lights - Rhino Liner,Straight Exhaust, 90 Gal. American Toolbox/Tank Combo
'95 Harley Low Rider, Crane cam, S&S Super E, Samson 2" drag pipes

 

[Missouri Mule]

Check your solid state board behind instruments(board has wiring for all of dash instruments on it) something could of melted down. Of course check all other wiring and connections related to gauge and sending units.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[OILBRNR]

I'd bet a bad sender.

Welcome to the club, a select few, but disapointed many. Check the threads, there will be bunch on this topic.

I'm on my third.

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'99 2500 4x4 • SB • QC • 3. 54 • LSD • AT • Leather • 16x8 M/T Alcoa Challengers • 285/75 BFG A/Ts • Mag-Hytec • Westach Guages • Line-X • Luverne Nerfs • Tommy Gate

Towing:
'99 28' Airstream Excella (~7000# dry)
'69 24' IMP Inca Twin Screw (~6000# wet)

 

[SLVRBLT]

Missouri Mule & OILBRNR-
Thanks for the responses. I've been sick the last few days and didn't really feel like crawling around the truck. Felt a little better this morning so I took it to the dealer this morning and going to let him hash this out. They just called me at home to inquire how much fuel was in the tanks so I assume they are checking the output of the fuel senders. I'll post on here what they found when I get "sweetheart" back home again. So far, I have had really good luck with this dealer, hope this continues on this problem.
Dave

 

[brobeson]

The diesel sending units are bad. Dodge has replaced the one in my 98 a few times. Dodge said they have a lot of problems with the diesels, but not with the gas units. Go figure.

If you truck is still under warranty, take it to Dodge, they will fix it no charge.

Bob

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2001 3500, SLT+, Green, Tan leather, Duel Power Seats, HO, 6 speed, 4X6, 4. 10, Towing Package, Trailer Tow Mirrors, Camper Package, Sliding rear Window, Jacob’s E-brakes (Dodge), Electric Steps (Dodge), Clarion overhead TC/VCR, In motion satalite, Mud Flaps on all 4s (Dodge) Line-X over the rail bed liner, 20K Reese 5th wheel Hitch with Gooseneck, 30” toolbox and tailgate box. Factory ordered, Picked up on 5-15-01. WOW!

Also have a 1998. 5, 2500, SLT, Red over Driftwood, 24V, 4X4, Auto, 4. 10, Light Group, Camper Special group, Convenience Group, Travel Group, Trailer Group, Keyless entry, 5 band EQ and 6 disk changer, 15K lil' rocker 5er hitch, tool box, rail guards, fog/driving lights, wood grain dash. (truck is 4-Sale)

 

[SLVRBLT]

First of all, thanks for the advice. That's the best thing about this site is the care and attitude of it's members.

I took the truck to the dealer at 7:00am this morning. They called and asked about fuel levels in the tanks about 9:30. I think they were checking voltage levels from the fuel senders? At 3:00pm, they called and asked if I had a wiring schematic for the aux. tank (90 gal. ) that had been installed about 6 mos. ago. I told them yes and they asked that I bring it over. I got a ride to the dealer and took them the schematic. The guy working on it had found a loose wire on the plug that goes into the switching valve under the truck that switches between tanks. After looking at the schematic, he said OK and said give me about 20 minutes and you'll be ready to go. He re-attached the wire, taped it up good to protect the splice, wire tied it where it would be safe and gave me the explanation. He said a wire connection was bad between the valve plug and the wire that goes to the fuel gauge. This is why neither tank would register on the gauge.

After having it all day and spending, I don't know how many hours on it, they charged me $65. 00 for the job. Of course, the warranty didn't cover this since it was a "non-Dodge" installation, but I felt pretty good about them having it all day and chasing their tails chasing wires and still just charging me $65. 00. Of course, there was no parts involved, but I know the hours they spent on it would have been more than that.

This is Mike Quinn Dodge in Tulsa and, so far, I have had really good luck with their service. I think there are some dealers out there that try to treat people nice and maintain return business.

So ends the saga of no fuel gauge readings and I'm back on the road reading the levels in both tanks and ready to go to Minnesota fishing in a couple of weeks.
Dave