Fuel gauge problems
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: York, PA
Fuel gauge problems
My fuel gauge hasn't worked properly since buying my 2004 F-150 last month. When I first fill it up it will read low fuel the first 50-75 miles. Than just start working or at least show there is fuel in the tank. It's never accurate. Right now it shows 3/4 tank but I'm well below 1/2. When I got inspected last week I had them look at it and they reset something. it seemed to work for a day but now it's back to the way it was. I know there is a TSB out on the fuel gauge and it explains what should be done. Ford is blaming it on contaminated fuel. The last few tanks I added the Chevron additive like the TSB suggested but still having the same issue. Has anyone that had this problem got it fixed? And if you did what was done? It's very frustrating having to keep track of your mileage so I don't run out fuel.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
Are you turning the truck off when you are filling up the truck?
I've never heard of contaminated fuel messing up the fuel system's readings....I suppose if the fuel was bad enough it could gum up some of the componets.
Is your truck still under warranty?
I've never heard of contaminated fuel messing up the fuel system's readings....I suppose if the fuel was bad enough it could gum up some of the componets.
Is your truck still under warranty?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: York, PA
Yes, it's still under warranty. I never fill up my vehicles while they are running. I'll have to get the TSB and post it here. I guess if the issue becomes a TSB than it must be fairly common problem.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: York, PA
No, I don't have the optional tank. My dad has a 2004 F-150 and his did it once. He had just filled up and the next morning the gauge said low fuel. He thought someone siphoned his gas. Just trying to figure out what to tell the Mechanics so I don't have to keep taking there every week.
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
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i have had the same problems and i find that it depends on which brand of fuel i use.
i have went to shell for years and the one shell in the own i go to is fine but the other smaller one always creates this problem. when it happens i go and fill up at another station such as esso and it seems to clear it up right away.
maybe i should stay away from shells all together but i cannot stand not getting the airmiles.
hope this helps.
i have went to shell for years and the one shell in the own i go to is fine but the other smaller one always creates this problem. when it happens i go and fill up at another station such as esso and it seems to clear it up right away.
maybe i should stay away from shells all together but i cannot stand not getting the airmiles.
hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Southeast Georgia
I had the same problem with my '04 SCREW (30-gal. tank) on a couple of occassions. After taking it in to the dealer, they told me the contaminated fuel story also. I have never filled mine with the motor running either. The dealer at the time reset the fuel card. Or that is what they told me that they did anyway. Since that time I have used Gumout fule sysytem cleaner in my truck at about every 5,000 miles. I have never burned anything but regular unleaded gas. Even though the dealer told me that I should use premium gas. The book says 87 octane. So that is what I use. I have not had any problems with mine since then. Good luck on getting it worked out. I would say that it is in the fuel float system, or whatever they have in the tank reading the fuel level. Anyway, good luck with it.
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Posting Guru
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Shell sometime back had problems with fuel that had large concentrations of sulphur. Larger concentrations of sulphur will contaminate fuel sending units. This causes fuel guages to read inaccuratley.
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Yes, i had that fuel problem with a minivan i had a few years ago.
Now with my 05 screw i only have it at some stations so i believe that they have contaminated tanks or something. For me it is not enough of an issue that i give it much notice as i fill the truck up every night so i always jnow i have a full tank for the next day and have not yet even come closwe to running out of fuel.
Now with my 05 screw i only have it at some stations so i believe that they have contaminated tanks or something. For me it is not enough of an issue that i give it much notice as i fill the truck up every night so i always jnow i have a full tank for the next day and have not yet even come closwe to running out of fuel.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Marple Township, PA
Also, make sure you REMOVE the key from the ignition when filling up. The few times my gauge screwed up, it happened when I left the key in.
The key is still "talking" to the truck when in the ignition (thru the PATS chip), and in the '04s this was a common cause. Can't explain why, but it was the reason in most cases. (Not discounting the 'bad fuel' theory, just something else to try)
The key is still "talking" to the truck when in the ignition (thru the PATS chip), and in the '04s this was a common cause. Can't explain why, but it was the reason in most cases. (Not discounting the 'bad fuel' theory, just something else to try)
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