Fuel Gauge Acting Freaky
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
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Fuel Gauge Acting Freaky
Howdy,
I recently acquired an 88 F-150 Supercab w/ 4.9L I6. We're still in the honeymoon phase, but so far so good.
Anyway I'm having a funny problem with the fuel guage. The needle on the guage pretty much stays past full until the tank is about a 1/4 full. Then it seems to show the correct level in the tank. Even then the needle bounces around and occasionally moves to the "very full" position.
Oddly it acts this way whether or not I'm using the main tank or the reserve tank. However when using the reserve tank it acts a bit less erractically, i.e. it seems to behave normally more often.
I suspect that both fuel level senders are bad, or perhaps a loose electrical connection. What do y'all think?
Thanks from a newbie.
I recently acquired an 88 F-150 Supercab w/ 4.9L I6. We're still in the honeymoon phase, but so far so good.
Anyway I'm having a funny problem with the fuel guage. The needle on the guage pretty much stays past full until the tank is about a 1/4 full. Then it seems to show the correct level in the tank. Even then the needle bounces around and occasionally moves to the "very full" position.
Oddly it acts this way whether or not I'm using the main tank or the reserve tank. However when using the reserve tank it acts a bit less erractically, i.e. it seems to behave normally more often.
I suspect that both fuel level senders are bad, or perhaps a loose electrical connection. What do y'all think?
Thanks from a newbie.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7
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From: butler PA
My 87 f-150 fuel gauge was actin up when I got it. I pulled the instrument cluster and found that the harness plug was not seated in the socket properly. Put it back together properly and it's worked fine since.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
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My 1988 F150 5.0 has/had similar problems. When I dropped the rear tank and removed the pump/sender assembly I found the fuel senders now have printed circuit assemblies with solder traces that are wiped by a contact that gives you your guage reading. I found the circuit traces, similar to those on a computer board, have been wiped off in places causing erratic guage readings until the float reaches a point where the solder traces are in tact. I chose not to replace the pump/sender assembly but fill both tanks, reset trip odometer, and refuel between 450 and 470 miles. I didn't bother dropping the front tank. I figured I'd find the same thing there.
I feel the design of the new fuel sender is a poor one though. I like the older style wire wound fuel sender like the one in my 67 Mustang. I never had the problem with my 1978 E150 van. My mom's 1989 E150 van has the same problem as well so it's not just the pickups.
I feel the design of the new fuel sender is a poor one though. I like the older style wire wound fuel sender like the one in my 67 Mustang. I never had the problem with my 1978 E150 van. My mom's 1989 E150 van has the same problem as well so it's not just the pickups.
