Gas gauge adjustment
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From: Wisconsin
Gas gauge adjustment
Is there a way to adjust the gas gauge reading? When the gauge on my 2001 3.0/auto reads empty the truck still has 5 gallons left in the tank. Verified it again this morning. Gauge on empty and the check gauge light popped on. Went to fill and only took 14.5 gal. to top out. The manual says this has a 19.5 gal. tank so 5 gal. left. I know this is better than having it the other way (out of fuel completely when on empty) but having a strong quarter tank left is, IMO, too much and I would like to see if I can adjust the gauge or whatever needs adjusting to have maybe 2.5 to 3 gal. left when the check gauge light comes on. Any help appreciated.
Last edited by sorensenj; Aug 19, 2004 at 06:15 AM.
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From: Homer, Alaska
The sending unit is located in the fuel tank and is an integral part of the fuel pump. It is a float similar to the way a toilet works. The long arm moves as the fuel level changes, and operates a resistor. Bending the arm will change the reading, however it would be a "hit and miss". Also, since it is in the gas tank, you need to drop the tank to get to it, which means removing the bed. If you are inclined to take on the project, it can be done but may not be worth the time and effort. Good luck.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
If by chance, this 01 puppy is still under some kind of warranty, I'd take advantage of it & let the seller fix it.
If not, there may be a way to to it exrenally with a (trim) resistor, depending on whether or not the tank's sensor is a linear resistor & where on the resistance scale 1/4 tank & Empty are.
This external trim resistor would (electriclly) fool the guage into thinking the tanks resistor were being positioned elsewhere by the float.
I suppose you could think of it as electrically bending the float arm.LOL
So we need someone to tell us, what kind of resistor is in the tanks level sensor & where on the resistance scale, 1/4 & E are & is it a "linear" or "log" type???
In other words, is 1/4 & E, on the low or high end of the resistors scale.
This info would determine how we calculate the resistance value of the trim resistor & whether it's to be connected in series or parallel with the guages sensor lead, to properly "trim" the guages reading.
Seems to me, this could be done on the guage or tank end, which ever is easist to get to & work on.
If the fuel tank sensor has a "log" type resistor this trim may not work very well or at all.
Just another possibility form the peanut gallery.
If not, there may be a way to to it exrenally with a (trim) resistor, depending on whether or not the tank's sensor is a linear resistor & where on the resistance scale 1/4 tank & Empty are.
This external trim resistor would (electriclly) fool the guage into thinking the tanks resistor were being positioned elsewhere by the float.
I suppose you could think of it as electrically bending the float arm.LOL
So we need someone to tell us, what kind of resistor is in the tanks level sensor & where on the resistance scale, 1/4 & E are & is it a "linear" or "log" type???
In other words, is 1/4 & E, on the low or high end of the resistors scale.
This info would determine how we calculate the resistance value of the trim resistor & whether it's to be connected in series or parallel with the guages sensor lead, to properly "trim" the guages reading.
Seems to me, this could be done on the guage or tank end, which ever is easist to get to & work on.
If the fuel tank sensor has a "log" type resistor this trim may not work very well or at all.
Just another possibility form the peanut gallery.
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