Fuel Gauge Issues
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Fuel Gauge Issues
A few days ago I was on my way home from work, and when I started my truck, the fuel gauge was pegged above full. I know this wasn't right because I had about 150 miles on the tank...but it eventually went back down.
Today I went to Wal-Mart, everything was normal. Got in to come back home, and the gauge said the tank was dry, and the Low Fuel warning came on. Eventually the check engine light came on, and then the gauge went back up to where it should be, but now the CEL is still on.
Took it to Ford, they didn't have any diesel techs to look at it, so I took it to Autozone to read the code. It is: P0460; Fuel Level Sending Unit Condition; Poor ELectrical Connection At The Fuel Level Sending Unit.
Is there anything I can do to fix this bad connection? Am I gonna have to take it into the dealer? If so, what will they have to do? Can I drive with the CEL light on, or will this problem cause other problems? I dumped a lot of Diesel Kleen in it earlier in hopes that would help clean things up...who knows. Thanks for the advice
Today I went to Wal-Mart, everything was normal. Got in to come back home, and the gauge said the tank was dry, and the Low Fuel warning came on. Eventually the check engine light came on, and then the gauge went back up to where it should be, but now the CEL is still on.
Took it to Ford, they didn't have any diesel techs to look at it, so I took it to Autozone to read the code. It is: P0460; Fuel Level Sending Unit Condition; Poor ELectrical Connection At The Fuel Level Sending Unit.
Is there anything I can do to fix this bad connection? Am I gonna have to take it into the dealer? If so, what will they have to do? Can I drive with the CEL light on, or will this problem cause other problems? I dumped a lot of Diesel Kleen in it earlier in hopes that would help clean things up...who knows. Thanks for the advice
Fleet Owner
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You'll never believe this, but I was just reading over a bulletin that I think applies to you:
Check Engine Light on with P0460 Fuel Level Sensor Code:
This may be caused by a miscommunication of fuel level status between the instrument cluster and engine computer. This code is set when the engine computer does not see the fuel level dropping it expects. It may be caused by customer-installed items, such as a remote start system that does not power the dash when activated, an over-sized fuel tank or in-bed fuel tank. If these conditions do not exist, the engine computer should be reprogrammed using WDS/IDS version 43.4 or higher. This condition can also be caused by fueling with the engine running, parking on an angle, or driving up a long grade. In some cases the fuel level sender may be faulty, or have a sulfur build up on the sender and have code P463(use Chevron Techron Plus Concentrate to correct). TSB 06-13-11
In some cases I have heard of this fixing itself OR when the FICM "re-learn" was applied.
Check Engine Light on with P0460 Fuel Level Sensor Code:
This may be caused by a miscommunication of fuel level status between the instrument cluster and engine computer. This code is set when the engine computer does not see the fuel level dropping it expects. It may be caused by customer-installed items, such as a remote start system that does not power the dash when activated, an over-sized fuel tank or in-bed fuel tank. If these conditions do not exist, the engine computer should be reprogrammed using WDS/IDS version 43.4 or higher. This condition can also be caused by fueling with the engine running, parking on an angle, or driving up a long grade. In some cases the fuel level sender may be faulty, or have a sulfur build up on the sender and have code P463(use Chevron Techron Plus Concentrate to correct). TSB 06-13-11
In some cases I have heard of this fixing itself OR when the FICM "re-learn" was applied.
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From: northern,california
I had the same thing happen to me. Mil on and the fuel gauge was showing erratic readings. I brought it into the Ford dealer and the told me about a tsb, that I cannot find, but it said there was too much sulfur buildup on the fuel sender in the tank. They told me to put chevron additive and fill it with fresh fuel. The dealer also said it could be from bad fuel. When I switched to biodiesel I had the same problem. After a few tank fulls of bio it cleaned everything up and have no had a problem since.
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So basically its just something that could be cleared up with fresh fuel and Chevron additive? I will look for that additive at the store and see if I can find it. Its only happened on this current tank of fuel, which I got from a different station than I have before. Obviously if that doesn't work, I would need to take it in, right?
If the fuel gauge thing clears itself up, I just need to go to Autozone and have them clear the code? Or will it eventually go away?
Thanks for the replies!
If the fuel gauge thing clears itself up, I just need to go to Autozone and have them clear the code? Or will it eventually go away?
Thanks for the replies!
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Originally Posted by tazo
I had the same thing happen to me. Mil on and the fuel gauge was showing erratic readings. I brought it into the Ford dealer and the told me about a tsb, that I cannot find, but it said there was too much sulfur buildup on the fuel sender in the tank. They told me to put chevron additive and fill it with fresh fuel. The dealer also said it could be from bad fuel. When I switched to biodiesel I had the same problem. After a few tank fulls of bio it cleaned everything up and have no had a problem since.
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You might try a search on here about this problem. I had numerous fuel gauge issues, and a techie replied with an amazing analysis of why the fuel gauge sometimes goes whacky. That being said, my problem went on for about 25,000 miles. I had the fuel sender assembly replaced, multiple cans of Techron, heartache by the pound, about 6 visits to the dealer, and finally it was fixed by a new instrument cluster. Fortunately, this was all under warranty. I never thought I was the only person dealing with this, but Ford tried to make me believe that...persistence is the key once you have them involved.
The poster with the comprehensive review of fuel gauge problems was "Hayabusa", I think, you might find something under his name. I have never done a search on here though...
The poster with the comprehensive review of fuel gauge problems was "Hayabusa", I think, you might find something under his name. I have never done a search on here though...
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Since it looks like it is still under warrantee, I would make an appointment for the dealership to look it over. In the meantime, I would be running a 5% Bio blend, and change the fuel filters. Changing the fuel filters would be mainly to inspect them since I don't think that is your problem. Also, the dealership could charge you for a filter change and blame it on bad fuel. I would eliminate this from potentially happening.
ALSO - TELL US WHAT YEAR YOUR TRUCK IS AND HOW MANY MILES ON IT.
Two reasons to post the info -
1. It helps us troubleshoot with you
2. If your truck is a new truck and has over 15,000 miles on it without you changing the fuel filters, the dealership may FLAG it in the system. They now stamp the fuel filters from the factory so they can tell if it has ever had its first filter change.
ALSO - TELL US WHAT YEAR YOUR TRUCK IS AND HOW MANY MILES ON IT.
Two reasons to post the info -
1. It helps us troubleshoot with you
2. If your truck is a new truck and has over 15,000 miles on it without you changing the fuel filters, the dealership may FLAG it in the system. They now stamp the fuel filters from the factory so they can tell if it has ever had its first filter change.
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Originally Posted by bismic
Since it looks like it is still under warrantee, I would make an appointment for the dealership to look it over. In the meantime, I would be running a 5% Bio blend, and change the fuel filters. Changing the fuel filters would be mainly to inspect them since I don't think that is your problem. Also, the dealership could charge you for a filter change and blame it on bad fuel. I would eliminate this from potentially happening.
ALSO - TELL US WHAT YEAR YOUR TRUCK IS AND HOW MANY MILES ON IT.
Two reasons to post the info -
1. It helps us troubleshoot with you
2. If your truck is a new truck and has over 15,000 miles on it without you changing the fuel filters, the dealership may FLAG it in the system. They now stamp the fuel filters from the factory so they can tell if it has ever had its first filter change.
ALSO - TELL US WHAT YEAR YOUR TRUCK IS AND HOW MANY MILES ON IT.
Two reasons to post the info -
1. It helps us troubleshoot with you
2. If your truck is a new truck and has over 15,000 miles on it without you changing the fuel filters, the dealership may FLAG it in the system. They now stamp the fuel filters from the factory so they can tell if it has ever had its first filter change.
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