surging gas gauge

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May 30, 2005 | 02:28 PM

99bajakid

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surging gas gauge

I have this weird problem.. well i think its weird. When i turn the key to the on position, but not start it, my fuel gauge will wiggle.. thats the best i can describe it. It looks like a dog waggin its tail, it dosent move much just a little wobble. When the truck is running though i dont notice it move. Any ideas?

Im thinking along the lines of the fuel sender is about to crap out on me.

May 30, 2005 | 02:31 PM

Fire Rooster

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From: Phx, AZ

it is an electronic gauge not a mechanical, so your glow plugs, self checks etc are going on and causing temporary power surges until the ALT takes over. Relax it is ok.

May 30, 2005 | 02:40 PM

99bajakid

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oh right on! Sweet, here i was thinking something was up..

Thank you

May 30, 2005 | 04:20 PM

Fire Rooster

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From: Phx, AZ

just a little note though, the sensor for the fuel gauge is in the fuel tank and they do go out. Dealer will need to drop the tank so taake it in empty. But the S/S of that is a fuel tank of fuel and the gauge reads empty. This is not what is going on in your truck but thought I would throw in the FYI anyway. You are good to go man enjoy the day off!!

Jun 15, 2005 | 08:46 PM

99bajakid

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One more question with regaurds to this, i noticed today while at a red light (idle) my gas gauge would wiggle again but as soon as i would give it some throttle to take off it would jump back to where its 'supposed' to read. Is this still normal or is my sender about to crap out?

Jun 15, 2005 | 09:15 PM

18vtx00

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From: Templeton, Massachussetts

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99bajakid

sounds to me like the sender is on its way out, they are exspensive too, and to think they get the same $$ w/out the pump!!! take the sendor wire if you can locate the harness and ground it to chassis, the gauge should peg full. leave it open and should read empty. simple system but this will asssure the gauge is okay!!