Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

Erratic Fuel Gauge

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 12-07-2003, 04:02 AM
lymo's Avatar
lymo
lymo is offline
Freshman User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Stavanger-Norway
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Erratic Guel Gauge

Can anybody advice?

When I have e.g. 1/4 fuel left in the tank, and the car is parked with the front sligthtly downhill, the fuel gauge indicates zero it the ign. is switched off and on again.

This also switches on the Check Gauge light.

When I start driving, the Fuel Gauge remains in Zero position. I have to switch off and on the ign.in horizontal or uphill position to get the reading right.

I can see the same when the tank is full, and it reads apprx. 1/4 tank lower than it should, and do not come all the way to Zero.

Any idea??
 
  #2  
Old 12-07-2003, 05:42 AM
Opera House Works's Avatar
Opera House Works
Opera House Works is offline
Elder User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sender unit

is 15 ohms empty and 170 ohms full. Only known problem is the sender floats that develop a leak and sink. I park on a slope and my readings vary from level ground. This has a long tank and is prone to that. Is this something you just noticed recently? There is an anti slosh electronic module which averages out the reading to keep the needle from bouncing. Mine takes several minutes to read correctly. Never tried it but I would imagine if I moved to level ground and restarted, the needle would then read that level and then start to average.
 
  #3  
Old 12-07-2003, 08:43 AM
lymo's Avatar
lymo
lymo is offline
Freshman User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Stavanger-Norway
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you Opera.
This car is quite new to me, and I noticed recently. I need to follow this up so try to find a pattern of it's behaviour.

Maybe it is the "anti slosh electronic module" you mention?. I find it strange that the gauge is not moving when the car is moved from the sloop to flat terrain. Seems like something needs to be reset, and maybe it is the "anti slosh"

Do you have any idea where it is found?
 
  #4  
Old 12-07-2003, 11:09 AM
Opera House Works's Avatar
Opera House Works
Opera House Works is offline
Elder User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Only thing you have to worry about is getting low on gas. I never let my 97 get below 1/4. I even ran out of gas in my driveway once when I was letting it warm up. Adding 3 gallons of gas made the gauge read 3/8 on level ground. That isn't much of a safety margin. The fuel pump is cooled internally and externally by the liquid. Keeping it covered will extend the life of the pump. This is a very long narrow tank with the pump about in the center. Take a tall bottle which is 1/4 full and put it on the side. Tip it just a little and see what happens to the level in the center. The gauge is acting as it should. I wish my boat gauge was this smooth. On the other end, you can add a lot more fuel after the gauge reads full.
 
  #5  
Old 12-07-2003, 01:35 PM
lymo's Avatar
lymo
lymo is offline
Freshman User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Stavanger-Norway
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Opera.
You are right. The simplest thing is to fuel at 1/4 tank, and it will be OK, also it will be safe for the pump. As you say; the long tank is the reason. It is no problem to live with it.

Have a nice day.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
carlsson
1999 to 2016 Super Duty
0
02-20-2012 05:14 AM
mdm350
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
03-16-2010 09:52 PM
slsand
1999 to 2016 Super Duty
12
02-19-2010 08:50 AM
mazda trucker
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
24
02-09-2005 01:33 PM
tyminski
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
31
08-09-2002 09:32 PM



Quick Reply: Erratic Fuel Gauge



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:19 PM.