Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel Gauge

[roadbyte]

Fuel Gauge





I am a first time owner and the first big question I have is the fuel gauge wrong or is the full tank a lot smaller than stated in the manual.



I had just little less than a ¼ tank per the gauge and when I refueled it only took 23 gallons. The trip meter had 448 miles. If it’s a 35 gallon tank than the last quarter tank would still have 12 gallons and another 232 miles left. Instead of the 8. 75 gallons per quarter tank of fuel. .



What do I need to do to correct this problem or should I put it in the disregard mode and just watch the trip meter.



1998 Reg cab Long Bed 24 Value SLT, 4. 10 Gears, Auto



Thank You all ahead time for the help

 

[lschultz]

Watch that trip meter. Thats normal for some Dodges. When I first got mine that fuel gage caused me to run out of fuel. If I would of been watching the trip meter it would not had happened. They wound up replacing the fuel module on mind. So far its still working. Usually when it shows a 1/4 its got 500+ on it. My son has a 99 with 10600+ and his has started acting up so we will replace the sending unit(40. 00 I heard)and hope that fixes it .

 

[ralphr]

If you run out of fuel in a gasser just embarassing! In the diesel big problems, including running the injector pump dry, (no lubercation), could get very expensive!!! Also, the water, and other grundge tend to settle to the bottom of the tank, if you are running low, instead of good clean fuel, what are you sucking up? Finally, if you run out you need to push all that air out of the way to get it started.



Probably could think of a couple more good reasons why fuel gauge in most all our trucks reads very "conservative". hope this helps.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Fuel gage

And the fuel level sending unit in the tank is notorious for failing. Does your gauge show full for about 75 to 150 miles after fillup? Mine did and would hold seven gallons when the warning bell came on. It finally hung up and would stay on full until the tank was about half down, had replaced about two weeks ago. bg

 

[roadbyte]

FG

The gauge will read a little over 3/4 tank with about 150 miles driven. I went by the dealer today and he said he would handle the problem with out charging me.

 

[Chipstien]

When I am on empty I still have about 7 gallons left. I don't mind in the slightest.

 

[Steve Campbell]

JMO...

Kind of off the subject... But...

If you run on the top half of the tank...

#1 fuel mileage will be better

#2 lift pump will last longer



Not running out of fuel is a GOOD thing

 

[redram]

Originally posted by roadbyte

Fuel Gauge





I am a first time owner and the first big question I have is the fuel gauge wrong or is the full tank a lot smaller than stated in the manual.



I had just little less than a ¼ tank per the gauge and when I refueled it only took 23 gallons. The trip meter had 448 miles. If it’s a 35 gallon tank than the last quarter tank would still have 12 gallons and another 232 miles left. Instead of the 8. 75 gallons per quarter tank of fuel. .



What do I need to do to correct this problem or should I put it in the disregard mode and just watch the trip meter.



1998 Reg cab Long Bed 24 Value SLT, 4. 10 Gears, Auto



Thank You all ahead time for the help

ummmm..... I wouldn't trust a Dodge fuel guage as far as you can throw a full fuel tank. These have proven to be very prone to failure and inaccuracy.



Ask the 94-98. 5 year crowd how many people are on their second, third, fourth or more fuel sending units (float reohstat) or even complete fuel module.



Biggest joke on a Dodge ... ...



My 96 has not functioned for many years and I'm too stubborn to spend +$200 for something that should last 10 years and 500K miles.

 

[roadbyte]

Fuel Gage

I am just the type of guy that if there is a gage there it should work correctly not so-so. Yes I do agree that running on the top fuel is a lot better than the bottom stuff that goes for gas also.



But it makes it a lot easier to glance at the gage than looking at the trip meter.



It appears there is major failure in the unit the way it was designed. If this is the case is there third party unit that will work?

 

[redram]

I've thought of sourcing / designing a non float unit such as used in a marine application. Unfortunately, the cost is about the same as replacing with the OEM unit. So far, I've been able to survive using the trip odometer... . heaven help me if someone zero's out the trip meter!



I am not aware of a bolt in aftermarket part unfortunately.

 

[curatchko]

35 gallon? Never looked at the manual for that figure.



I don't care what the manual says, mine is 30 gallon.



I've dropped the tank before with it almost empty, and after filled it up and it's only taken about 26 gallons... There wasn't 9 gallons of gas in there prior.

 

[jeepit]

What? Maybe not a 35 gallon tank. We need to get this confirmed!

 

[B.G. Smith]

Fuel

The capacity of the 99 is 1500 short bed, 26 gal. 2500 Club and Quad cab with short bed, 34 gal. 3500, all 35 gal. with a note that due to mfg. tolerances, capacity will vary form truck to truck. (but not 5 gallons I don't think) bg

 

[damon]

just for comparison... ...



On my brand new truck, I get 200 miles from full to 3/4 tank, and another 200 miles from 3/4 to 1/8. Not proportionate at all, and at 1/8 tank I fill up about 25 gallons to full. If my manual serves my right, I have 9 gallons left as a safety net, and I don't mind that at all.

 

[curatchko]

Well mine must be special, cuz it's 30.