Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Fuel gauge

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2007 | 09:22 AM
  #1  
rustydailey's Avatar
rustydailey
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock, TX
Fuel gauge

I need help! I have a 99 F250 and the fuel gauge doesn't read very accurate. I was driving down the road to take my kids to school and the gauge reads 1/4. Well I get to the next light and it dies, no fuel. The low fuel light never came on and the gauge still read 1/4. So long story short, me and the kids walk 1 1/2 miles, because I forgot my cell phone, with a fuel gauge that read 1/4 tank. Is there any way to fix this? A new sending unit? There has to be something to correct this.

Rusty
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2007 | 09:46 AM
  #2  
Layson's Avatar
Layson
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 1
From: Millersburg, OR
Sometimes the float can get stuck. You might just have to drop the tank and check it out.

good luck,
Steven
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2007 | 11:02 AM
  #3  
slc10844's Avatar
slc10844
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore
You might want to check with a Ford dealer. I think they have diagnostic equipment that can check both the dash gauge and tank unit for accuracy.
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2007 | 11:40 AM
  #4  
MLCRI$I$ II's Avatar
MLCRI$I$ II
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, FL
Club FTE Gold Member
Code P0460

Just picked up my truck from the dealer this past Friday evening. Same problem. SSB (no, not a TSB) suggest SULPHER DEPOSIT build-up on the tank sensor. Added CHEVRON TECHRON to desolve sulpher deposits. Added 10 gals fuel and drove about 150 miles so far. Seems to be correcting itself. Ask ANY mechanic about CHEVRON TECHRON. Great stuff. Just didn't know it was used in diesels too.
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2007 | 04:41 PM
  #5  
WMRiceman's Avatar
WMRiceman
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: King George, Virginia
The Ford test uses 2 resisters to test the gauge. This test will determine if it's the sender or something else. Test involves unplugging the sender at the tank. On the plug going to the computer and gauge, put a 15 ohm resister in place of the sending unit. Gauge should read empty. Put a 160 ohm resister and the gauge should read full. After putting the resisters in, turn the key on to read the gauge.

Only 2 wires on the plug. To get the 160 ohms, resister values are added when in series. Just keep added to get the 160. You could test along the way as well. 90 ohms or so should be 1/2 a tank.

My gauge has been driving me nuts. I finally found that on the ground wire in the plug, I had 3.5 ohms. After I cleaned the ground connection at the air filter. Ground now reads 0 ohms and the gauge seems to be working much better.

Just some ideas for you. Hope this helps. Mark
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wrdabney
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
10
Feb 4, 2015 04:18 PM
phase_one
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
4
Mar 17, 2014 12:29 PM
dirttoo
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Nov 20, 2005 09:34 AM
Fordman
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Oct 8, 1999 01:55 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE