gas guage will not work
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
Depending of what truck you have....... It is a common problem for Fords. If it is similar to my Ranger, you have some type of "float" on the end of the sending unit/fuel pump inside the tank. This float can develop a leak and just sink to the bottom of the tank. It is a total pain to change this stupid little part that costs ~$5 at Ford. The "easiest" way is to unbolt the bed and lift it off to get to the top of the tank. Your dilema at this point is "should I replace x, y, and Z as long as I am here. IE - the whole sending unit, pump and float. This is not usually a cheap part, so if you are a glutten for punishment, just replace the float. Just realize you might have to do it all again if other parts fail.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
Honestly, IDK. I would have to look it up in the repair manual. If you don't have one, it would be a good idea to have even the cheapo Haynes manual (usually sells for ~$15). It doesn't always have everything in there, but it can help. I seem to remember (on mine) there was a connector on top to the sending unit that had ~4 wires going to it, so it shouldn't be too hard to track down. You may also want to check the "easier" stuff first, like behind the dash gauge to see if everything looks ok. It is alot easier to unscrew the dash than the bed. 
There may even be a test you can do on the gauge, but my money is on the float. Same thing happened to mine, and I ignored it untill my tank sprung a leak from an impact. While I was in there I got the little brass float from a local Ford dealer for ~$5. Works much better now, but I think I bent the float arm just a little when I put it back in. At least it is only off by approx 1/8 of a tank now.
There may even be a test you can do on the gauge, but my money is on the float. Same thing happened to mine, and I ignored it untill my tank sprung a leak from an impact. While I was in there I got the little brass float from a local Ford dealer for ~$5. Works much better now, but I think I bent the float arm just a little when I put it back in. At least it is only off by approx 1/8 of a tank now.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: w.v.
thank you for yor imput i buy a float todat and i will put in this weekend. the only other thing would you know if the shift motor for the 4x4 is rebuildable every thing i have found i says you can but all it does is tell how to clean it up??
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
Originally Posted by fordfanwv
the only other thing would you know if the shift motor for the 4x4 is rebuildable every thing i have found i says you can but all it does is tell how to clean it up??
I have only worked on 4x2 trucks since I have no real "need" for a 4x4. Sorry I don't know. It sounds like something that would be rebuildable if I was to guess. Good luck.My condolences on your father. I just just lost mine too (long time smoker).
cigarettes!
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Gone but not forgotten.
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Originally Posted by fordfanwv
ok thanks now what about the ground wire i was told it shorts out. what color is it do you know? and ill pick up a new float today to
Dono
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: w.v.
ok i put a new float in today and the gas guage still sets on empyt but the old floats was pretty heavy. there is one hot wire it is ornge w-w a black stripe
the others are ornge,yellow. and black the black im sure is a grould the others have no power shoiud thay???
the others are ornge,yellow. and black the black im sure is a grould the others have no power shoiud thay???
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: w.v.
gas guage will not work
ive replaced my float and ive replaced my fuel pump the truck still runs great
but my gas guage does not work. these are the wirs colors
black = ground
ornge = ??
yellow = ??
ornge /red ??
the ornge and red wire is hot but nothing easle is sould thay??
i did repase the pig tail and used those but connects with shrik wrap at the ends ive check on both sides of the plug and still nothing exept for that one wire any help would be nice.
i do have a hanse manuel but could not find the wiring diaogram for the pump
but my gas guage does not work. these are the wirs colors
black = ground
ornge = ??
yellow = ??
ornge /red ??
the ornge and red wire is hot but nothing easle is sould thay??
i did repase the pig tail and used those but connects with shrik wrap at the ends ive check on both sides of the plug and still nothing exept for that one wire any help would be nice.
i do have a hanse manuel but could not find the wiring diaogram for the pump
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Don't know what year your Ranger is, but in my 93-99 Haynes manual, the fuel pump electrical pictorial is on the last page of the pictorials (12-50)
In chapter 4, on page 4-6 they outline the operationl test for the fuel level gauge. For my year, the gauge output wire color is Y/W.
So look in your manual under fuel & exhaust systems & you should find the chapter & test proceedure for your year & model gauge.
In chapter 4, on page 4-6 they outline the operationl test for the fuel level gauge. For my year, the gauge output wire color is Y/W.
So look in your manual under fuel & exhaust systems & you should find the chapter & test proceedure for your year & model gauge.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 84
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From: w.v.
well i cheched mine and it did not have it all it had was testing of the fuel pump itself
and testing fuel pressure. my truck is a 1990 ranger 2.3 idi how ever do a voltage test
and there ia a plug driver side with 4 prongs one is possitive the others are not i know on is a ground and one should go to the gauge itself but what is the other one?
and testing fuel pressure. my truck is a 1990 ranger 2.3 idi how ever do a voltage test
and there ia a plug driver side with 4 prongs one is possitive the others are not i know on is a ground and one should go to the gauge itself but what is the other one?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
fordfanwv, the relay for the fuel pump is usually located in the under hood power distribution box & that could be on the firewall or inner fender, usualy on the same side as the battery, I'm not sure of it's exact location on your year truck.
Your owners manual or repair manual should give the location of the relays your looking for.
If not try AutoZones web site parts locator section, for your year & model truck.
Your owners manual or repair manual should give the location of the relays your looking for.
If not try AutoZones web site parts locator section, for your year & model truck.