The fuel guage in my 84 Ranger reads zero at all times. I guess the first step would be to check the sending unit? This requires that I pick up the bed and move it a couple of feet back. The weather lately has curtailed my work time, but maybe in the next couple of days.

Anyway, in case the sending unit is bad, I've tried to check availability, but the Ford dealer discontinued it in '03, parts stores listings go back only to 85, a Parts Voice search produced none, and Green Ford has none.

Anybody got any suggestions? Thanks

Gator

 

I would think that the unit's would be the same untill 85 when they were using carbs. So I would say an 85 would work, but don't quote me on that. Did you try NAPA, they can get a lot of old parts. It would suck having to take a chance on a junkyard sending unit with the work involved. JC Whitney use to sell universal sending units, don't know how good that would be. Maybe some one on here will be of help than I've been, good luck on your search.

 

Jeez there used to be a system to figger that out, but I can't recall whick way it went. Maybe someone will read this and remember.

If the guage was stuck on "full" the guage was bad, and if it stuck on "empty" the sending unit was bad. Or maybe the other way around.

Anyone else remember that?

 

Did the fuel level gauge just suddenly stop working, or has it been acting out for some time????

A few years back, some fuel tainted with higher levels of sulphur was marketed by Shell & subs they sold to, that wiped out fuel pumps & sending units.

So if you've used that gas, or fuel like it, maybe the sending units contacts are corroded up. If so, Chevron claims it's "Techron Concentrate Plus" will clean the corrosion & thus maybe wake your sending unit up.

If so & thats your problem , maybe relief is just a 20oz bottle of Techron away!!!???

In any case, in the process it'll tidy up the fuel system, injectors, intake valves & combustion chamber side of things as a bonus.

Some more thoughts for pondering.

 

LMC has a pretty good selection of parts. try them.

 

Thanks for the replies. I got the sending unit out today, and the small cylindrical electrical connectors are both loose. I know I can solder the ground back, but I'm not sure I can fasten the other side so that it doesn't touch the metal housing. I'm going to try that, though.

As far as LMC goes, I thought of them after I posted the original, but their catalog only goes back to 85, same as the parts stores.

Anyone else?

Thanks

 

Are you sure an 85 won't work?, There the same as the 84, they didn't go to efi untill 86.

 

According to the picture in my parts store's book, the float arm is a different length. I'll get them to order it and compare it anyway. Thanks.

 

For those who may be interested. I have successfully reattached one of the electrical contacts (the one not grounded). I have measured the resistance and it reads approx 15 ohms full and approx. 70 ohms empty. Does anyone know if this is in the proper range?

I guess I can attach it to the wiring in the truck, and see what the guage does. I will report later today.

Gator

 

i think it should be 0 to 80, BUT it will still work, and might require a bit of float bending to get the highest resistance, but that will be the empty side. worse case you will be indicating 1/4 tank when it is empty.

 

You might try reading through the last post in this thread. Not sure the 88 & 84 had the same senders, but the numbers sound close.

Let us know what you find.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...rd-ranger.html

 

Yeah, good luck with that.