2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel Gauge says empty!

[Jrork]

Nuts,

Put a splash of fuel in this morning and all was right with world. Went to head back in town and got the chime that says I was out of fuel. Ran it a short distance and shut if off and restarted and it registered that I had fuel again.

Drove it for about 15 miles and shut it off and when I went to restart it, you guessed it, empty again.



I did a quick dash reset by holding in on the trip odometer and turning on the key but no luck.

Tried hitting the fuel tank a couple of times with a rubber mallet to see if the sender was stuck. No luck

Just drove it into town and drove like a drunk (insert whatever) and no luck. Still reads empty.



So, assuming that it's the sending unit, which is easier,

a: Drop the tank

b: Lift the bed



I'm not thrilled with the idea of putting another one of these in if it's just a matter of time and it'll do it again.



So, what's the average time needed to swap this out and is there a fix that a scmuck like me can do?



Thanks everybody... ... ... John

 

[Bob Cochran]

When my fuel module in tank went out it was registering I had fuel when I did not have any eventually running out. Not sure this is how it typically fails though. Happened a number of years ago and now I fill when mileage say I should depending on towing or not. Don't use the gauge any longer. Not sure this helps. I know in my old chevy it was easier to remove the bed not sure about the Dodge.

 

[biggy238]

I've swapped my bed on and off twice now. (once for a fuel leak and once for a new bed)



Lifting the bed is easier in my opinion. undo the 8 bolts retaining the bed, pull out the spare tire winch and plastic piece at the bumper. Unhook the tail lights and the fuel filler neck. 4 guys can easily set it off of the truck or back enough to access the tank.

less people than that and it is WORK... but possible. Air tools make life better.



someone else will have to outline the tank drop so you can weigh out the alternative.



The sender itself is cake... . weather connecters and a compression fitting on the lines and remove the lock ring around all of it. . it pops right out.



Check the lines where they pass between the fuel tank and the frame rail... They have protective measure against chaffing but mine had worn holes anyway. I'm wainting until spring to replace my leaking return line.

 

[gmsboss1]

Runnin' on "empty"

This might not be much help unless you're a procrastinator like me, but in the 6 years and 114,000 miles I've driven my 1999 SLT, the fuel gauge has been stuck on "Full" any number of times and stuck on "Empty" almost as often.



The only common characteristic is that with enough patience, it always (so far) has started to work again on its own.



As long as the trip odometer works and I remember to set it at each fill-up, I just can't get excited about it... .....



Good Luck!

 

[TRCM]

Dropping the tank is easier, as long as it is almost empty.



2 strap bolts and undo the connections on the top, and yer done.



I have no choice on my truck... . GN hitch make removing the bed a PITA.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Dropping the tank is the way to go. If I remember right, you can just loosen the front hanger and remove the rear one and just let the back of the tank come down.

 

[Bob Cochran]

While in my old Chevy it seemed easier to remove the bed in my current Dodge it would not. With the 5er hitch rails mounted through the bed and frame; also the 70 Ga. inbed transfer flow aux. tank it would not be the way to go now. I guess as always it depends on what works best for you. Good luck with what ever way you decide to go.

 

[RMidgett]

I've never removed the bed, but I've dropped the tank twice. Given that I can drop the tank myself with the help of some concrete blocks and a floor jack, I'd say that's the way to go. It is much easier when empty. . I pump the fuel out via the supply line under the hood with a self priming elelctric pump.

BTW, my fuel gage says empty all the time, too. I fixed it once, then had to remove the tank again years later (long story), upon reassembly, the fuel gage was broken. . still is.

The tripodometer works well for keeping up with when to fill up.

 

[Jrork]

Thanks everybody. Looks like I'll try dropping the tank. I got some great ideas here and by PM and will give it a try.



On a side note, my tank now says 1/8 of fuel left instead of bone dry. Hmmm, maybe it's fixing itself



Thanks again... ... ... John

 

[rweis]

I think CStewart had a thread about rebuilding the fuel canister and replacing the 2 top bushings and intank fuel pickups.



Bob Weis