Fuel Tank Sending Unit

[Rustymule]

I'm a norman new-guy, and this question has probably been ask before, but here I go.
My sending unit/guage started circling the drain about two years ago, and now doesn't move at all and the fuel pump icon is lit all the time. I made the trip to the local dealer and was given a part # and price (what I thought was plenty). I didn't buy then, but went back about 2 weeks ago and ask again and was given a different part # and a new price that was twice the price as before. Both times I was assured that the part # and price was correct. Does anybody out there know what part I need, part number, and does it really set you back almost 300 Big Ones?

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Rusty Mule

 

[gitchesum]

The sending unit should only be about 50 bucks. I bought one about 4 months ago I'll try to look up the part number for ya.

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Curtis Harris
1997 3500 Club Cab
"CASPER"
Check out the Lone Star TDR

 

[gitchesum]

Part number is 5013467AA. Cost $43. 37
This is for a 97, not sure what year your truck is.
They're trying to sell you the whole tank unit when you only need the level unit. Make sure you make that clear to them.

 

[Rustymule]

gitchesum, thanks for the info. i went back a couple of months in this forum, thinking I'm not the first to have this problem, and found the three different fixes for this. being a machinist for the last 26 years, I think once I drop the tank, I can do "THE FIX". Again thanks for the reply.

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Rusty Mule 97 3500 Dually MULE HAULER

 

[Big-D]

Just an idea before you remove the tank. Try crawling underneath and softly "tapping" the fuel tank with a rubber hammer in various places. Might save you some efforts and $$$ with nothting to lose. Dave

 

[RHARVEY]

Now what your telling me that sometimes the sender sticks? I just removed the plug from mine to see if it was a bad guage or a bad sender since the guage has been on 1/2 tank for a year. When I plugged it back in, I got a full tank, even though it should only read about 1/2 to 5/8 of a tank. I was making plans to drop the tank and change the sender, but if this will work it will save me all that work. I bought the truck used and the dealer said that they had just changed the sender before I bought it. They were suppose to have checked both senders and he said that the olms read the same on both the old and the new. I'll try the rubber hammer trick and see if it works.

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

 

[700rmk]

My computer gave me the error code p0460. It was high resistance in the fuel sending unit. Dealer replaced it under warr. and it showed the $43 +- figure. My guage has been working fine with no bad readings. Just noticed the code a couple of times and then it went away, but I mentioned it and they fixed it, now if I could only get them to replace my lift pump!!

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2001 WHITE 2500 QC, LB, 3:54, 4x4, ETC/5-SPEED, HD TRANSFER, FACTORY FOG'S, AUTOMETER ULTRA-LITE PYRO & BOOST, BOSCH 275'S, JARDINE 4" IRRIGATION PIPE, BFG 285/75/16 ALL TA'S ON EAGLE SERIES 58, ICS NERFS, ARMA TUFF SPRAYED BED, EZ FIXED. 280HP, 750 FT/LB AT 1800RPM. MAG-HYTEC REAR WITH AMSOIL 75-90. 25000 MILES SINCE JUNE ****POLARIS 700 RMK RULES THE HILLS****

 

[Missouri Mule]

Dave,
Did dealer give you part and labor price? Unfortunatley the figure you quoted looks like they were going to drop tank for you and gouging you for labor.

 

[Rustymule]

Missouri Mule; the parts guy said about $40. 00 if it was working some, or $284. 00 if it had stopped working all together. The service mgr. said I difinitly needed the $284. 00 part. This price was for parts only. I have a hard time driving my truck to dealer, I could never leave it there for them to work on. Thanks for the reply.

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Rusty Mule 97 3500 Dually MULE HAULER

 

[Paul]

The higher price is probably for the whole sending unit, filter, pickup tube assembly. The sending unit alone is around $40.
Had to edit message, found out if you abreviate assembly, you get BLEEPED.

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Paul A. Schmidt
95, 4X4, SLT 2500, 5 spd. , 4. 10, 270 hp. ,675ft. lb. TST, AFC spring kit,215hp. injectors,16cm2 turbo housing, Pacbrake, Walker muffler,
GearVendor O. D. , CenterForce Dual Friction clutch.
Eastern PA.

[This message has been edited by Paul (edited 02-21-2001). ]

 

[Vaman]

My sending unit was faulty from the factory... what is it with these things?

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98. 5 2500, 24v, QC, 4x4, 4. 10 LSD, short bed, tow package, camper suspension, Westin nerfs, camper shell, TST PowerMax3, 275 RVs, EGT/Boost pillar gauges... Love my Cummins, no love for Dodge

 

[vinconco]

Mine stays on full for 2/3 of a tank or so then drops to the correct amount. Happens every couple months. Then it will cycle to empty along with the chime every 10 seconds... . to drive you crazy. Then work OK for a while. It has been replaced at least once that I know of.

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98 2500 club cab 4x4 12v 410 rear, tow pkg, linex, ARE utility top, unbombed to the max

 

[K_Arts]

Well... my sending unit ended up going haywire on me today and the dealer is replacing it under warranty. .

Just thought I'd let you guys know

Kev

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2k 2500 4x4 SB, Auto SLT, Camper Package, Tow Package, 3. 54 Dif, Ameraguard Bed Liner, Amsoil BMK 15 Dual Bypass and HDD 5w30

 

[illflem]

Friend of mine went in to have his sender replaced,the service writer went over and kicked the tank,it started working and kept on. I've suggested here before that Dodge should include a rubber mallet and holder on the fuel door if they don't want to improve the POS sender.

 

[Rustymule]

I wish mine was still in warranty, but it quit at about 38,000 miles but only 1 1/2 yrs old. Dealer said forget it, it's out of warrnaty. I've tried the hammer, the ruffest road in Eastern Oregon (and we got some) and no luck. I'm waiting for a warmer Saturday (something over freezing)and an empty tank.

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Rusty Mule 97 3500 5 Speed Dually 25,000# POP-UP HITCH, CAT GUTTED "MULE HAULER"

 

[illflem]

Dave,if you lift the bed rather than drop the tank you won't need a empty tank nor will you have to lay in the snow. Just remove the two bolts that attach the bed on the drivers side,disconnect the fill spout and unplug the tail light wiring. You can then use a floor jack with some boards on it to hinge the bed up to get at the tank module. Make sure to prop the bed up with a board while you're working under it,it makes one hell of a mouse trap.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[Champane Flight]

Mine was dropping levels quickly would only read full and 250 miles later go to 1/4 tank. Fill it up and only take 10 gals. Bought a new sending unit and gaskets. Pulled the tank and sender housing. Found that the whole sending housing is held by three screws. They were loose allowing the whole unit to go up and down with fuel level. I went ahead and put the new unit in and installed star washers on the screws. No problems yet.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[TowPro]

Here's some good pictures and directions on how to make the sending unit "better then new"
Click Here

then click on Dodge sending unit.



[This message has been edited by TowPro (edited 03-01-2001). ]

 

[Rustymule]

illflem, when I remove the two bolts on the drivers side, don't I have to loosen the two on the other side also? Also, mine is a one ton, does this present any other problems with the tilting of the bed, but this sounds like a GREAT idea.

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Rusty Mule 97 3500 5 Speed Dually 68,000miles 25,000# POP-UP HITCH, CAT GUTTED "MULE HAULER"

 

[illflem]

Dave,I've never loosened the pass side bolts,you may want to with a 3500 though,just because I don't really know,my 3500's sender has been fine. Only thing that will be different with the 1 ton bed is the marker lights and tailgate lights may also need to be disconnected. Also don't jack on the dually wheel wells,they're just plastic if you haven't already discovered. The dealer techs do it both ways,drop the tank or lift the bed it all depends on their personal preference.