2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel Gauge Quit!

[MToney]

Help, my fuel gauge went wacko. Yesterday it went to completely empty, 1/2 tank full at time, then it would come back a bit, then read normal, then read somewhere inbetween, then today it just quit all together and of coarse the little yellow fuel pump thing lit up. Is this a wiring thing or did something happen to the sender unit in the tank. If its in the tank, what kind of money are we talking about to fix the sender unit or did a wire just come off. Also is it a bear to drop the tank, I will be down to 1/4 tank or so by friday so it wont be too heavy I hope. Is this a common thing and is there anything that can be done to prevent it happening again. Thanks Mike T 95 2500 CTD automatic 4x4 35gal tank.

 

[Kalaehina]

Either your fuel sending unit is shot (about a $40-$50 part), or like my truck, the gauge acted funny for a month then just went to empty and the low fuel light came on. I dropped my tank last week and found the whole assembly in the tank had fell over pulling the electrical wires out of the sending unit. My metal sleeve mounts were all busted so my Dad and I fabricated some new mounts and now it should stay put. I plugged the wires back in and all is well again with the gauge. By the way this is my second sending unit, thought I was going to make it 3. Hope this helps.

 

[MToney]

How hard was it to drop the tank? did you empty it or did it still have fuel in it. Thanks MIke

 

[Tardog]

Do a search, you will find alot of info. But in brief, check the wire first, but it sounds like the sensor. It can be fixed or replaced. you can either drop the tank or raise the bed. I dropped my tank, repaired the sensor and was up and running in less than 2 hrs. I just blocked up the tank then unhooked it then alternated removed the blocks so as to walk it down to the ground , and reverse to put it back up. I think a new sensor is about $40 (sensor only, part number is for early 90's or late 80's) Good luck.

 

[Kalaehina]

That was part of my problem, thought I was estimated right but when the assembly fell over the pick up sucked up air, so I thought I ran out of fuel and estimated mpgs at 12, but was actually 16, so when I dropped the tank I had about 15 gallons in it, not fun at all. Other times when I dropped the tank almost empty, it was a easy procedure, just takes time.