2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel sender prob. help?

[JohnG]

Fuel sender prob. and Manuals

Hi guys. . My fuel guage doesn't work right. I burn off about 12 gallons, (fuel guage shows over 1/2 tank left), then whammo. . the next 2-4 gallons send the guage from over 1/2 to almost empty. . I suspect the sender unit. Not looking forward to yanking the fuel tank. Has anyone had similar probs?

I've always been an advocate for buying ALL the manuals, and this is a good example why. Neither THE 3" thick 'Dodge' manual nor the Chilton manual talked about how to test the fuel level sender, but did find it in the Haynes manual. Sure glad I have 'em all. Thanks. . JohnG

 

[BigPapa]

This is a common problem. Mine hasn't worked at all for the last 9 months. I have a brand new sending unit laying behind my seat. Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to it either. I think I'm going to try the "bed lift" method.

 

[Joe G.]

The original fuel sending unit in the '95 was especially poor even when it was new. I once drove over 50 miles mostly uphill loaded with a 10 foot camper sweating running out of fuel. The warning light was on and the gauge said empty. When I finally got to Page, AZ and fueled up it only took 27 gallons.



I replaced it shortly after that. That was over 170K miles ago. The replacement has been working fine.

 

[wlowe]

I recently replaced the sending unit on my Ford Ranger. Used the bed removal method. Actually was easier than I thought it would be. Removed mud flaps, tail light connector, fuel tank fill hose and six bolts in bed. Two of us lifted the bed off, (smaller and lighter than Dodge bed). Once the bed is off it's all down hill from there. The nice thing about the dodge is that diesel is much less flammable than gas, safer when pulling sender/pump unit from tank.



Good Luck

 

[Kalaehina]

I think you'd only have to tilt the bed, dump truck style, on our trucks to get to the fuel cap on the tank. Take it from me, I dropped my tank 5 times already, time consuming, awkward, irritating, but not difficult. I can have my tank down in less then 5 minutes now, hardest part is those connections at the top of the tank. I too have to replace, or actually I'm going to modify the sending unit, but I have a full tank right now so no go this weekend.

 

[GBaines]

I had a problem with my fuel sending unit too. I was outside of LaPaz, Mex, fuel guage read about 1/8th left and engine lost power and fuel pressure dropped. No warning light or ding! Fortunately the Mexican construction company that is digging the new marina gave me a gal of diesel. I then had a roadside learning experience with bleeding the pump and injectors. It is not hard but I wasn't sure until it worked that this was the problem. Returned to town and put 34. 6 gal of fuel! Now the fuel guage reads about half full when it only has 10 gal left in tank! What do I do now? What causes this to happen? If I replace the sender is it likely to happen again? This truck has less than 20,000 miles on it but is out of warranty!! Also the way I use this truck off road and in the sand and all, just guessing by miles traveled will not give a good estimate. For my use is there a reliable backup?

 

[LandShark]

Yup. Common problem. I replaced my sender at about 60K miles and it's bad again at 155,000k. I used the 'bed tilt' method, lifting up the drivers side. Took about an hour.

 

[DSiemens]

Recently replaced the sender unit on a 1995 Ram. Dodge part #04797738 description Level uni 14-072-001. Lifted the drivers side with an engine hoist (center stake pocket). Also had to raise the passenger side some (used a block of wood on a floor jack) so that the lower quarter panel would not contact rear bumper. The fuel lines are a pain. Next time I will use a Ford type fuel line disconnect tool such as KD 3321. The electrical connector was relatively easy.