Fuel guage sending unit

[RHARVEY]

I guess its time to address a problem that I have had since I bought the truck used last January. The fuel guage shows 1/2 full or 1/2 empty which ever way you want to look at it all the time. The dealer that I bought it from said that they had just changed the sending in the tank, but did not have time to chase the problem any further. Is there any way to see if there is continuity between the sender and the guage or the lack there of. I was told that you could short across the wires on the tank and if the guage moves, its the sender, and if it does not move its more than likely the sender. The dealer said that they put in a new sender and they tested both senders, and both tested the same. We are headed across country in April and I would like to get this working before. . Any ideas???

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[RHARVEY]

TITTT

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[JerryB]

Try unplugging the connector at the tank where it goes into the sending unit. If the guage moves, it is likely either the connection or the sending unit. I don't think it is the unit, though, because when mine went dead, it showed empty all the time.

 

[MStenson]

I realize this is an old post, but I am having an identical problem. My 96 has a brand new sending unit in it and is still only showing 1/2 tank at full and about 6 gallons later shows as empty. I've been reading through old posts all day and I keep reading to replace the unit, since I've done this where do I go now? Thanks!

 

[Bob Ellithorpe]

Mine dosn't work right either, I can fill it up with a full tank of fuel and it'll register a full tank. The gage will fall as the miles accumulate,however,when I get down to a 1/4 tank and I fill up again,I'm can only put in at the most 16 gallons.

Rather than going to all the trouble of trying to repair it,I just use the trip odometer and when I accumulate around 250 - 300 miles,I start looking for a good fuel stop.

 

[MStenson]

That's a good way to go, my problem being that since this truck is new to me I dont have a feeling for fuel milage yet. I'm assuming that from the posts I've read most are getting 300 or so miles. Im assuming this is somewhat the same for a 3500 as well?

 

[HerbW]

MStenson,



I used to go 500 miles before I worried about fuel. I fixed my sender and don't watch it that much now. Please see my truck listing below this post and we may have similar trucks. I have 3. 54 gears and 4x4. IF you are pulling a load, your mileage will be less. Take the leads off the tank to test the gauge. If the tank is still on, it may affect your test. Good luck, Herb

 

[MStenson]

Thanks much Herb! You're right, very similar truck. Gives me a good indication of when to be nervous. I've drained diesel tractors dry before and really don't wish to reprime the thing on the side of the road Thanks again!



Mike

 

[JCQ]

I was running about 500 miles with mine as well but the wife was always nervous when I would fill up and take 33 gallons.



Had a lot of the same problems with the sensor but changed it out no trouble since.

 

[RHARVEY]

I unhooked the wires on the sending unit on top of the tank and plugged them back in to see what happened. The guage works to a point. . it reads full when it is full and when I get down to about 7-8 gallons it reads about 3/4. At least I know when the guage starts to move toward the 3/4 its about time to fuel. We took a long trip and would use the trip meter and also watch the guage to see when it started to come off full. I would guess that the dealer that I bought it from tried to replace the sending unit and the float must be too high to work correctly. I just haven't taken the time to drop the tank and check.





Rick

 

[rrl989]

My sending unit is also NFG ( DC- Are you Listening?), We can check the gauge (at least on the 98) by performing the self test.

Hold in the trip meter while turning the key to "wait to start position", watch the gauges cycle to determine if your fault is in the dash unit or tank unit.



Ron

 

[RON'S RAM]

I also had a fuel gauge problem, just out of warranty. Mine was very eratic. Sometimes it would work, mostly when full. Sometimes it wouldn't. I took it out, and found that the plastic which holds the metal contact together were worn. This would cause the gauge to be eratic. I repaired the sender using photos and advice from some TDR members. I don't remember who right now, but you could search the archives. If no luck, just try different words in your search until you find something.

It sounds like maybe some of you guys are having problems with the housing that is supposed to float up and down as the tank empties. Maybe it's binding or something. I think there was some talks on that too.

I also drove by the odometer for about a year. Then I switched tire size. (OOPS) Was on I 84 in Hartford 11:00 PM. (high speed lane passing everyone) approaching the mileage when I should look for a gas station. I found out the hard way that with bigger tires, the odometer isn't quite as accurate anymore. That night sucked.

Anyway, good luck. Ron

 

[CumminsAholic]

go here http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/index.html#wiring

Look under fuel gauge sending unit repair the first 2 are sets on instructions on how to fix yourself. I have to do this too... . have had to for over a year, but like others I've just gone by the mileage so far.

Corey

 

[HerbW]

Hello Mike Stenson

Hi,



I forgot to tell you but my low fuel sender unit never quit when my sender quit. When I got low, the light in the dash always came on to warn me. I really don't know if it is on a different lead or what. Maybe others have an opinion on this one. Good luck, Herb