Bouncing Fuel guage
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Bouncing Fuel guage
I asked this a few months ago and did not get much response. I have a 2002 F-250 5.4L 4x4 Auto. It is a SB truck. When I fill up the needle goes to full but sometimes within a mile or two it is bouncing down below full and then back up.. It will do this over and over. Finally it will stop below full. I know the tank is still full. Sometimes it will stay on full for about 10 miles and then drop to 3/4 in an instant. Then bounce happily between 3/4 and full. It is annoying. I can never tell how much fuel I have. What the hell could be causing it? It's done it the past year.
It does seem to be fairly accurante once it gets down past 1/2 tank though.
Although I have never put more than 23-24 gallons in it, even when the guage is on E and the light is on.
What's my problem?
It does seem to be fairly accurante once it gets down past 1/2 tank though.
Although I have never put more than 23-24 gallons in it, even when the guage is on E and the light is on.
What's my problem?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
The fuel sender is basically failing. The resistance is fluctuating, mostly like a build up on the pot switch. When the sender's resistance flutters, so does your guage. I really don't know how to explain it better than that, but the fix is to replace the sending unit in the tank.
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Senior User
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So I only need the sender? Is that seperate from the pump. I have a fifth wheel hitch so I cannot take the bed off. Should I have someone do it for me? I filled up today and drove about 35 miles on the highway, when I shut the truck off it was on F, when I started it, it was down to 3/4, but after a few minutes it was back up to right under full.
GRRRRRRR
GRRRRRRR
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
I would think the sender alone should do it. It is a wear item, the pump is in the sender, but most vehicles it is seperate from the sender. I always thought it was easier to drop the tank than pull the bed, but it is much easier to let someone else do it.
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 190
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From: Middleburg Florida
Originally Posted by Jspafford
So I only need the sender? Is that seperate from the pump. I have a fifth wheel hitch so I cannot take the bed off. Should I have someone do it for me? I filled up today and drove about 35 miles on the highway, when I shut the truck off it was on F, when I started it, it was down to 3/4, but after a few minutes it was back up to right under full.
GRRRRRRR
GRRRRRRR
