One Problem -- A Small One Or??
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: southern swamps
One Problem -- A Small One Or??
Well,
On the way home from a trip to Arkansas this weekend, I stopped 2 1/2 hours from home to top off the tank at the last decent-priced truck stop. When I pulled in there I had 1/3 tank.
Filled it to the absolute brim. Pulled out and noticed that the gauge was still reading 1/3 tank. My info center said 262 miles to empty. I pulled over, looking to make sure there was no leak. No leak. Got back in, now the gauge needle was below empty... info center said "---Miles to empty" and then it read "Fuel System Data Error"
Early a.m. so I called the dealer wondering if the computer would shut off my truck. They couldn't be sure. I knew I had a full tank. They said to stop at nearest dealership, I did, that dealer said drive home. When I got back in my truck, gauge went back to 1/3 tank. Called my dealer back on the way and made an appt. Those last two hours home my gauge started creeping back up slowly but surely, over about an hour, and info center miles til empty kept rising along with it. Now seems to be working and the dealer says they probably won't find anything but they wanted to try.
I had to leave it overnight because no diesel tech was free until morn. I hated to part with my truck! but sure don't want a problem.
THOUGHTS?
On the way home from a trip to Arkansas this weekend, I stopped 2 1/2 hours from home to top off the tank at the last decent-priced truck stop. When I pulled in there I had 1/3 tank.
Filled it to the absolute brim. Pulled out and noticed that the gauge was still reading 1/3 tank. My info center said 262 miles to empty. I pulled over, looking to make sure there was no leak. No leak. Got back in, now the gauge needle was below empty... info center said "---Miles to empty" and then it read "Fuel System Data Error"
Early a.m. so I called the dealer wondering if the computer would shut off my truck. They couldn't be sure. I knew I had a full tank. They said to stop at nearest dealership, I did, that dealer said drive home. When I got back in my truck, gauge went back to 1/3 tank. Called my dealer back on the way and made an appt. Those last two hours home my gauge started creeping back up slowly but surely, over about an hour, and info center miles til empty kept rising along with it. Now seems to be working and the dealer says they probably won't find anything but they wanted to try.
I had to leave it overnight because no diesel tech was free until morn. I hated to part with my truck! but sure don't want a problem.
THOUGHTS?
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
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From: north west new jersey
lab girl
when you filled it up, by chance was it running? some of todays cars and trucks with the computerized fuel gauge goes wackie when filled up and running. just a thought as i have had it happen to me.
when you filled it up, by chance was it running? some of todays cars and trucks with the computerized fuel gauge goes wackie when filled up and running. just a thought as i have had it happen to me.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: north west new jersey
2003 stroker
welcome to fte, the best ford truck site on the web. please take some time and read our site guide lines and the area read firsts. then enjoy fte to you fullest
welcome to fte, the best ford truck site on the web. please take some time and read our site guide lines and the area read firsts. then enjoy fte to you fullest
Last edited by captchas; Jun 14, 2005 at 05:20 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northern Utah
Labgal,
My fuel gauge will act wacky after re-filling... But only if I have the key on auxiliary (to keep the music going). Usually, the gauge corrects itself after about an hour of drive time and/or several start-ups.
My fuel gauge will act wacky after re-filling... But only if I have the key on auxiliary (to keep the music going). Usually, the gauge corrects itself after about an hour of drive time and/or several start-ups.
Last edited by utahtom; Jun 13, 2005 at 09:12 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: Nashville
Key not fully in "off" position was my first thought as well. If it doesn't reset on it's own, try disconnecting the batteries. If that doesn't do it, there's something wrong with the fuel guage system.
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From: southern swamps
I wish I had the truck running or the key not OFF so that there would be a simple explanation. However, the truck was shut off and the key was out of the ignition. ??? 
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Ditto, Same thing happened to me early on. Never turned key on again, never had the problem again. Don't over react to this problem, you really don't want the dealership experimenting with your truck unneccesarily.
Originally Posted by utahtom
Labgal,
My fuel gauge will act wacky after re-filling... But only if I have the key on auxiliary (to keep the music going). Usually, the gauge corrects itself after about an hour of drive time and/or several start-ups.
My fuel gauge will act wacky after re-filling... But only if I have the key on auxiliary (to keep the music going). Usually, the gauge corrects itself after about an hour of drive time and/or several start-ups.
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Senior User
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From: southern swamps
But once again, I did not have the truck running or the key in aux...if either one was the case I would not be worried after what y'all have said. The fact that the truck was off and the key was out of the truck and I'm going to be spending a lot of time on the road this summer in out-of-the-way places has me worried that this might be the prelude to a problem. I appreciate the input...
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From: southern swamps
Not sure what you mean, 3/4ER. I turned the truck on and off a number of times hoping to jog something. I also pressed reset a number of times hoping to clear the FUEL SYSTEM DATA ERROR message. At some point that message went away. Then the gauge went up to 1/3 again (where it was before I filled up) and over the period of the next hour my gauge crept upward until it was at full and the miles to empty kept going up along with it. Probably at some point while I was doing the RESET routine I am sure I also reset the trip setting... What would the trip setting and RESET have to do with the fuel gauge and fuel info setting? TIA ...
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When this happen to me it adjusted itself over a short period of time, (1hour?) I don't remember the exact circumstances. But I do recall turning on the key to reset the tripmeter, possibly while I was still fueling up. This problem is not new to the forum, that was my point. I'm sure if I ran to the dealer right away, they would have had that new dashboard torn apart in no time. See if it happens again before you get too excited about it. But always remember, do not touch that key until the last drop of fuel goes into that tank.
