Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Fuel Gauge Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 02-07-2015, 01:24 AM
1975MudRat's Avatar
1975MudRat
1975MudRat is offline
Post Fiend
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Gods Country, Kansas
Posts: 14,724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Fuel Gauge Problem

Hey all, I have a 1995 F-250 7.3 with dual tanks. When I filled up my front tank (back tank was at about 1/4) a few nights ago I noticed that my gauge would stick between half and 3/4 tank. Well I went on a trip and my fuel gauge started going down after about 60 miles of driving (at about the point to where it would be after driving that distance) and from there it started to go down at a normal rate. Yesterday I filled up my front and back tank to the point where it over flowed. The needle was still stuck at the same spot. I switched it the back tank and it didn't change, still at the 5/8th mark. Once I burned 3/8ths tank it would start working like nothing even happened.

If you all have any ideas what to do any help would be appreciated!! Thank you.
 
  #2  
Old 02-07-2015, 06:42 AM
Eddiec1564's Avatar
Eddiec1564
Eddiec1564 is offline
Cargo Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Arcadia, Fla
Posts: 2,930
Likes: 0
Received 30 Likes on 23 Posts
Check the grounds going to the fuel tanks. That can cause funny fuel guage readings.

To me, it looks like the gauge itself is sticking as both tanks show the same problem. Lightly tap the cluster and see if the needle unsticks or pull off the cluster's plastic lens and wiggle the needle.
 
  #3  
Old 02-07-2015, 10:51 AM
subford's Avatar
subford
subford is offline
Fleet Owner
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Easton,Ks
Posts: 23,603
Likes: 0
Received 228 Likes on 177 Posts
It is normal for the needle to say passed full for a while. If it is not pased full then it sounds like the needle has slipped on its shaft.
 
  #4  
Old 02-08-2015, 12:35 AM
1975MudRat's Avatar
1975MudRat
1975MudRat is offline
Post Fiend
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Gods Country, Kansas
Posts: 14,724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It use to go over full but now it wont. I don't thing it slipped ob the shaft because it won't go under empty. I will check grounds when I get a chance to pull my truck in the shop. It will probably be Monday night.
 
  #5  
Old 02-08-2015, 06:21 AM
subford's Avatar
subford
subford is offline
Fleet Owner
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Easton,Ks
Posts: 23,603
Likes: 0
Received 228 Likes on 177 Posts
Note a bad ground for the tank would cause the needle to peg beyond full. The tank ground is located on the drivers side radiator support (G100).
The cluster grounds are G200 & G201. You might also check the body ground G101.

Fuel tank ground G100:


Cluster ground G200:


Cluster ground G201:



Body ground G101:
 
  #6  
Old 03-13-2015, 01:12 PM
1975MudRat's Avatar
1975MudRat
1975MudRat is offline
Post Fiend
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Gods Country, Kansas
Posts: 14,724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok well I finally got back home again and I'm looking at the grounds. I got to the one on the passenger kick panel and now the back tank reads up to full by the front tank doesnt. Should I try all the rest?
 
  #7  
Old 05-09-2015, 02:00 PM
Trav1990's Avatar
Trav1990
Trav1990 is offline
New User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UT
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just started having a similar problem on my 1990 f250 with dual tanks. I just had the front fuel pump replaced and the gauge worked fine for the first tankful. I switched and ran on the rear and then went to fill up both tanks. Now the front ran down to about 1/4 tank, and I filled it back to full. Now the gauge stays right around the 1/4 tank mark. There have been a couple times driving down the road that it will start going back up towards full but it almost immediately stops and falls back and rests at the 1/4 mark.

If I switch to the rear tank it reads normally.

I thought maybe the float was junk since I just had the whole fuel pump / sending unit replaced, but since it will randomly start going up and then fall back I tend to lean toward it being a bad ground as mentioned before?

Am I off on this?

I will be checking those grounds as soon as I can.
 
  #8  
Old 05-09-2015, 02:27 PM
subford's Avatar
subford
subford is offline
Fleet Owner
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Easton,Ks
Posts: 23,603
Likes: 0
Received 228 Likes on 177 Posts
No the grounds would have nothing to do with it. With a bad ground the fuel gauge would read full or above.

More than likely you have a bad connection on top of the tank where the wiring plugs into the top of the fuel hanger.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Big Red F250
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
11-21-2015 07:10 AM
AKHunter93
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
06-06-2015 06:47 PM
edub32
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
07-06-2009 04:05 PM
Truckboy
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
12-12-2003 11:21 AM
Maniago
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
12-10-2001 11:47 AM



Quick Reply: Fuel Gauge Problem



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:13 PM.