Fuel guage failing?

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Yesterday when I was leaving work, my fuel guage was stuck at about 1/8th tank. What caught my attention is that when I started my pickup the low fuel bell and light came on, which I knew was wrong since I should have half a tank.

On my way home I had to stop at a store and when I restarted my pickup after shopping, the fuel guage was reading correct.

I know that the fuel gauge sending unit is weak on these trucks, but wonder if my problem was the sending unit or is it with something else?

I've also noticed that when I fill the fuel tank, that it sometimes seems to take awhile for the guage to get up to or past the full mark. I can drive for several blocks before the guage registers the full amount.

It seems like the sending unit must be going bad, but it doesn't explain why the guage would work/not work after being parked for awhile. The fuel level wouldn't have changed and the float for the sending unit shouldn't have moved while parked.

 

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All the symptoms that you describe are the same as I and many other Dodge Ram owners have had caused by a failing sender unit. Mine would give all kinds of readings and would change after sitting for a while. As for taking a while to show full after fillup, I think that is fairly normal even with a good sender unit. The guage has an integrater circuit on it that slows and smooths out the guage needle response to signals from the sender so it doesn't jump when fuel sloshes around in the tank.

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David Edwards Austin,TX
1998 2500 4X4 Reg. Cab 12V NV4500

 

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irontrader , what year truck ? i have been getting a code for the fuel sender on my 2000 , something about it not changing for 40 miles ??? goes in on tuesday ...

 

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Mine's a 98. 5 2500 4x4.

 

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Irontrader, I had the same problem and it went away after I stopped getting fuel with the Big Boys. I think my problem was the high flow fill rate nozzles on the big rig side of the station.

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98 24V QC, AT 4wd,4:10 LSD,Driftwood w/leather. Boost, Pyro and Trans temp gauges. X-Line Bed liner. TC lockup switch. BD E-Brake & PressureLoc

 

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The fuel sending unit problem is a well documented problem. I've read many threads on this and have experienced the problem with my 98. I just made an appointment to have my second sending unit replaced. DC should fess up to the problem and redesign the junk as well as recall the faulty ones. I am getting my second one on warranty and expect I will have to foot the bill on my next failure. If your gauge acts up yell loud and often. Maybe someone will eventually wake up and find a solution.

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98 2500 SLT, QC 12V, 4X4, Auto, 4:10's, SB, LSD, Alpine alarm, Tekonsha brake controller, 5th wheel hitch, DeeZee stainless boards, Stull billet grille, MTX Thunder sub enclosure, Kenwood amp, Trans. temp gauge, CB radio, White/Driftwood, Camel interior. BINFORD TOOLS decal on rear window

 

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DC replaced several sending units, some only lasted a week or so. I learned thru the TDR from another member that there is a voltage stabilizer or regulator behind dash or up in roof consul I can't remember but your Dodge boys should know what i'm talking about. Once they replaced that thing my problems went away. It is not the senders fault this thing eats them. Good Luck.

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1999,WHITE,2500,AUTO,QC,S/B,ANTI-SPIN,CAMPER,TOW,SLT,6CD,CB,B&M TRANS TEMP GAUGE,REFLASHED,3. 5,241HD,CUST PKG 2CG, ARE TONEAU, ARMA-TUFF BEDLINER rear slider,8way pwr seat,cloth +, air-lift

 

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I await my third sender - dealer ordered it Friday. OEM lasted 25,000 miles, first replacement made it to 62,000. This new one should make it to 100K, right about spring of 2003, when I expect to order a DR 3500 Crew Cab (Cummins, MB, or Detroit - but definitely a Ram diesel).

[This message has been edited by KCJackson (edited 09-09-2000). ]