2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission fuel gauge

[Yellowlab]

How common are bad fuel gauges? Mine runs out when I have just a little under 1/8 of a tank, now I start sweatin when I see it get below half a tank. What is the fix for it? Thanks

 

[BTowler]

Mine runs out at 1/2 or a little under.

 

[MLee]

Looks as though your gadges are hanging up and need rebuilding. Do some checking on how to do this. There has been a couple listed earlier.

Marv.

 

[Joe G.]

The problem is most likely the fuel level sending unit on the fuel tank module. Common problem. A gauge failure is pretty rare. The sending unit is about $70 from Dodge. Cheaper almost anywhere else. It's easy to change once you get the bed lifted or the tank dropped. That's a PITA.



Your service manual has the test procedure for the fuel gauge. That's simple to do.

 

[Thomas]

... The sending unit is about $70 from Dodge. Cheaper almost anywhere else...

Also cheaper from the right Mopar counter!




<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=titletext align=middle colSpan=4>Part Number Search Results : Mechanical Catalog </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid">Item Number</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=right>MSRP</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=right>Core Price</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=right>Price</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top>4897669AB </TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$53. 35</TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$0. 00</TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$36. 80</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext colSpan=4>Electrical - Chassis electrical - Senders - Fuel gauge sending unit



FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT, All Models, Gas Engine, All, 35 Gallon 2000 - 2002



</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=middle colSpan=4>Add to Cart Contact Us </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top>4897669AB </TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$53. 35</TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$0. 00</TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$36. 80</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext colSpan=4>Electrical - Chassis electrical - Senders - Fuel gauge sending unit



FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT, All Models, Diesel Engine 2000 - 2002



</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=middle colSpan=4>Add to Cart Contact Us </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[PSInt]

Fuel Sender is a very common problem. I found it very easy to replace. I removed the ground wire for the bed and all the bolts except for the very back 2. I loostened them until the nut was at the end of the bolts. Then I stretched a cargo strap across the two front tie downs in the bed floor and used a cherry picker to pick it up like a dump bed. After that it was easy. No need to drain or remove the tank.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Rather than go to all that work I use my odometer. I set it a zero at every fill up since I am checking milage anyway. I would be kicking myself if I did change the sending unit and it only lasted as long as the original one did. Like a lot of other parts, built by the lowest bidder. Our Heavy Duty trucks do not become Heavy Duty until we have replaced all the light duty parts with Heavy Duty parts. Ain't it fun.

 

[Joe G.]

It's very little work if you have a way to lift the bed. The sending unit I have in there now is right on the mark. It's been working fine for quite a while now.



I was doing some other work that required lifting the bed. I rigged a simple lift from a few cheap pullies and my comealong in my garage. So I remove the bolts, unplug the wiring, remove the three screws that hold the filler neck in place, lift, and roll the truck forward. Pretty simple. I can work on things sitting on a stool if I want to.



If I relied on the odometer I would end up walking once in a while because of CRS.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I have CRS too. All I do is fill up when I get 400 miles on the odometer. At fill up I turn the TRIP odometer back to zero. Now I know I forgot to say trip. CRS again. It's not as bad as CRAFT.