82 E100 Fuel switch problem
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From: SW Arizona
82 E100 Fuel switch problem
My 82 E100 was built with dual tanks and just flip the toggle switch right (front/auxcillary) or left (rear/main larger tank) to access them.
The auxcillary switch works with the fuel gauge showing what I have properly. But when I switch over to my main tank, the needle drops to empty. Even if I know it is filled.
Question, does this mean a wire is loose? Which would mean I would track down from the switch back through to find that. Or a bad sensor (if there is such a thing in something this old). Meaing that would have to be replaced somehow. The fuel lines are clear....I can drive with the main tank on with any problems. No worse than any other car I ever had where the gauge did not work. Just keep track of your mileage between fillups until the gauge is replaced.
Just push the toggle over to the right for the auxcillary to show.
The auxcillary switch works with the fuel gauge showing what I have properly. But when I switch over to my main tank, the needle drops to empty. Even if I know it is filled.
Question, does this mean a wire is loose? Which would mean I would track down from the switch back through to find that. Or a bad sensor (if there is such a thing in something this old). Meaing that would have to be replaced somehow. The fuel lines are clear....I can drive with the main tank on with any problems. No worse than any other car I ever had where the gauge did not work. Just keep track of your mileage between fillups until the gauge is replaced.
Just push the toggle over to the right for the auxcillary to show.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Originally Posted by VikingBabe
My 82 E100 was built with dual tanks and just flip the toggle switch right (front/auxcillary) or left (rear/main larger tank) to access them.
The auxcillary switch works with the fuel gauge showing what I have properly. But when I switch over to my main tank, the needle drops to empty. Even if I know it is filled.
Question, does this mean a wire is loose? Which would mean I would track down from the switch back through to find that. Or a bad sensor (if there is such a thing in something this old). Meaing that would have to be replaced somehow. The fuel lines are clear....I can drive with the main tank on with any problems. No worse than any other car I ever had where the gauge did not work. Just keep track of your mileage between fillups until the gauge is replaced.
Just push the toggle over to the right for the auxcillary to show.
The auxcillary switch works with the fuel gauge showing what I have properly. But when I switch over to my main tank, the needle drops to empty. Even if I know it is filled.
Question, does this mean a wire is loose? Which would mean I would track down from the switch back through to find that. Or a bad sensor (if there is such a thing in something this old). Meaing that would have to be replaced somehow. The fuel lines are clear....I can drive with the main tank on with any problems. No worse than any other car I ever had where the gauge did not work. Just keep track of your mileage between fillups until the gauge is replaced.
Just push the toggle over to the right for the auxcillary to show.
To make a long story short, you'd just have to drop the tank and open it up to see which is causing the problem.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Trace the wiring from the front tank and check for shorts/breaks. My rear tank had this problem, turned out the sending wire was cut. The wiring for the front tank is right on the frame rail and is in a place that could be subject to damage over 25 odd years of use.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
When my dad worked for a dealer, they sold an older woman a new truck with dual tanks. She filled up both tanks, and she ran one completely dry. She had switched them when the one read around 1/8 tank. He went out to check it out, ford forgot to install the fuse that powers the swithing unit on the frame.
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From: SW Arizona
Econo-canada
I was told this could be the reason by a friend with a similar van today.
Been so hot of late (114 F), I wanted to wait until a cooler afternoon before checking this possibility out. I only hope that is all it is. Or a fuse as pfogle suggested. But these were among the first items checked and any bad ones replaced. Will check them out anyway first, tomorrow.
Then the wiring.
Trace the wiring from the front tank and check for shorts/breaks. My rear tank had this problem, turned out the sending wire was cut. The wiring for the front tank is right on the frame rail and is in a place that could be subject to damage over 25 odd years of use.
Been so hot of late (114 F), I wanted to wait until a cooler afternoon before checking this possibility out. I only hope that is all it is. Or a fuse as pfogle suggested. But these were among the first items checked and any bad ones replaced. Will check them out anyway first, tomorrow.
Then the wiring.
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