Melted wire smell and no gas guage
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
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Melted wire smell and no gas guage
I'm not sure if anyone has had this happen before, but today while driving there was a sudden smell of hot wires/melted plastic and then the fuel gauge/miles to empty quit reading. Now the check engine light is on so hoping someone here has some pointers on where to look.
1) Which code reader should I get to check/clear the check engine light?
2) Any fuses that deal directly with the fuel gauge?
I'm planning to get under the dash and check everything, just not sure where to start looking.
Thanks!
1) Which code reader should I get to check/clear the check engine light?
2) Any fuses that deal directly with the fuel gauge?
I'm planning to get under the dash and check everything, just not sure where to start looking.
Thanks!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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I would say this is your very first step. Any signs of physical damage and you can bet you're looking in the right place.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
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I did a pretty thorough under dash check and couldn't find anything burnt up. I did find that the alarm system was something from a 2008 Expy that was spliced in. I'm going to pull it out tomorrow and clean up the wires there and see if there is something that may be wrong.
Any chance that the dash unit itself shorted and went bad?
Any chance that the dash unit itself shorted and went bad?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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Sure there's a chance, you should pull the cluster and inspect the back of it. That will also give you a better view behind the dash from above.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
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I pulled the cluster and found nothing damaged. I also removed the stock(ish) ford alarm that was spliced in and checked for any bare wires. For a brief bit the Miles to Empty showed 0 instead of ---. Now it is back to the gauge reading under E and the info center shows --- Miles to E.
Is this a sending unit problem?
Is this a sending unit problem?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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Did you disconnect the electrical connectors to it? If so it might've reset itself from being powered down.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
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According to the code it is throwing I'm seeing either sending unit, wiring, or gauge cluster. Trying to find a good used or new cluster and a place to reprogram the mileage.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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Check eBay and if you find one where the mileage is close then don't worry about programming the mileage. But if you have to program it then take it to the dealer.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
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I have been looking but they are all 1 letter off from the part number for my vehicle. May bite the bullet and buy a new one for about 400.00. Good to know the dealer can reprogram it.
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