Guages not reading right...
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Guages not reading right...
I recently bought a 1986 EFI F150 and rebuilt the engine. My friend and I put a stroker crank with some KB366 pistons in it. Runs great now. I gave $500 for it (XLT Lariat with all the options).
So, now I am driving it and getting used to it and I noticed the manual says it has 19 gallon tanks, but when I run the gauge to "E" and then "Fill" the tank, I am only putting 10 or 11 gallons in it!
I have been reading this site for weeks and have found that there are guage problems with these trucks.
How do I fix this? I have heard regulators, resistors, grounds, but was looking for a specific fix that someone would recommend.
I really don't want to put extra gauges in the cab, wanting to keep it stock (I know, the 347 stroker isn't stock!).
Thanks
So, now I am driving it and getting used to it and I noticed the manual says it has 19 gallon tanks, but when I run the gauge to "E" and then "Fill" the tank, I am only putting 10 or 11 gallons in it!
I have been reading this site for weeks and have found that there are guage problems with these trucks.
How do I fix this? I have heard regulators, resistors, grounds, but was looking for a specific fix that someone would recommend.
I really don't want to put extra gauges in the cab, wanting to keep it stock (I know, the 347 stroker isn't stock!).
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, NC
shoddy tank sending units
I've had 2 f-150's. A 1983, and an '84. BOTH of them had bad tank sending units. The 1983 is the worst, because this truck has 2 tanks, and both tanks were reading badly.
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
Yea,
My truck (1986 4x4 302 EFI) too has duel tanks and the main tank will read full then drop to 3/4 then back up to full sometimes. Lateltly I thought that I was really burning a lot of gas but wene I went to fill up it only took 10 gallons and the guage read a little less than 1/4. My oil guage also reads high.
I thoght that by releasing the park brake and letting it slam up caused something to become loose but everything seems normal.
What is happening.
My truck (1986 4x4 302 EFI) too has duel tanks and the main tank will read full then drop to 3/4 then back up to full sometimes. Lateltly I thought that I was really burning a lot of gas but wene I went to fill up it only took 10 gallons and the guage read a little less than 1/4. My oil guage also reads high.
I thoght that by releasing the park brake and letting it slam up caused something to become loose but everything seems normal.
What is happening.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
The gauges in my wifes 87 T-Bird and my 86 150 both read like crap. Probably better off putting a stick in the tank to see the level. My truck has a 17 gal tank. When it's "near" E, I put anywhere from 8 - 12 gallons in it. I've run it past E and have yet to put more than 13 gallons in it. Oh well
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 541
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From: Fleming Ga
You are all lucky. At least when your guage reads empty, there is still fuel in the tank. I have the reverse problem with my 97 mustang GT. When the guage gets down to 1/4 tank it will ride for 50 miles without moving then start dropping quickly. When it starts dropping you better be close to a gas station. First time this happened, I left work with 1/4 tank of fuel planning on stopping by my favorite gas station and ran out of gas 1 mile from work with the guage on empty and no gas station in sight.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: Rose City, MI
I had problem with false readings so i changed my sending unit. Working good still. The gauge seems to be more acurate. When i get it down to 1/4 it takes about 15 gallons to fill er up. Now i have a problem with between full and 1/4. it will stay at every 1/4 for about 50 miles then drop to the next and stay for 50 miles.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38
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From: Reno usa
Check the dash voltage regulator
I have had an 80 Bronco and now and 82 F150 - both had the same problem, ALL the gauges periodically wander up and down. Particullarly the fuel gauge would wander a 1/4 of a tank. I found that there is a small rectangular box on the back of the insturment PC board. This is a voltage regulator for the gauges (not one of Fords better ideas) and they get flakey after a few years. You can replace it (not easy) or live with it. I replaced it once, symptom came back a year or so later so I just live with it and wait for it to cycle, it does go "right" every so often. I DID find out the "EMPTY" is empty - regardless.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 984
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
My 82 does the same thing. For now I just live with it, and when it hits E, I put gas in. I'd rather have some, than not be sure. I did have to run it well past the E one day, and ended up putting about 80 Km's on it before finally coming to a fuel station. Threw in 10 bucks and it was back up to 1/4 tank!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? I'd say it's between the gauge voltage regulator, and the fuel gauge sending unit in the tank.
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