fuel gauge ?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2009
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fuel gauge ?
I have a 1996 F150 , 4.9L w/5 speed transmission . It has the dual fuel tanks and the gauge doesn't work no matter which tank is being used .Doesn't each tank have it's own sending unit ? Since fuel tank selection doesn't affect the non functioning gauge , it would seem the problem isn't the sending units but some other common link ? Any ideas what that could be ? I had a previous problem with the engine temp. gauge and , since they sit side by side in the instrument cluster , I thought the problem could be involving both gauges ? I was able to finally remove the ( difficult to access ) sensor that feeds the dash gauge and replace it and now the engine temp. gauge works ! So there isn't any connection between the problems each gauge had . Does anyone have a clue as to the problem causing the fuel gauge not to operate ? All help will truly be appreciated ! 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: Bethel Park, Pa
my gauge has been reading way past fuel since a bit after i got it, it is a broken wire in the line, since that gauge uses the electricial resistance to make the gauge move, reading ay past full would be a broken wire
i only have a single tank, and i need to run a new wire from the sending unit to the gauge, its just a matter of getting up off my lazy *** to do it haha
i only have a single tank, and i need to run a new wire from the sending unit to the gauge, its just a matter of getting up off my lazy *** to do it haha
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
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I have the same issue, gauge reads all the way to the right (full) on both tanks. Must be a common problem but I doubt it is a broken wire occurring at the exact time on both fuel sensors. Somebody has the answer out there, Help us!
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
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I have that problem with one of my gauges. It always reads empty. any suggestions? Also, Oldblu, how did you fix your temperature gauge? mine is broken. it's always on the cool range.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Toledo, Ohio
These trucks are pretty well known for the sending units going bad. I have yet to encounter a truck that hasnt had the problem. You can get a pump/sending unit assembly for like $110.00 at A'Zone and its an easy fix. Drop the tank, pop off the retaining ring, pull out unit and unplug it, plug new one in, insert it and replace retaining ring. I can almost guarantee that the sending units are the problem. I had a dual tank '87 150 and thought like you because both were bad but I replaced the rear one with a new tank (both tanks leaked) and it worked awesome.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Baltimore
My scenario,
Hot day, 90ish, a good long city run with lots of red lights and stop signs, the ac on, and my temp gage wont go past the 'N' on the (Normal). Cant put hand on hood, and forget touching the hoses, rad, etc. My deal is to go with the mechanical gages, leave the idiot gages intact, (to compare) and get a better idea of the situation...
Hot day, 90ish, a good long city run with lots of red lights and stop signs, the ac on, and my temp gage wont go past the 'N' on the (Normal). Cant put hand on hood, and forget touching the hoses, rad, etc. My deal is to go with the mechanical gages, leave the idiot gages intact, (to compare) and get a better idea of the situation...
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore
Popular theory would suggest that a 'cool' engine runs better, the fact remains that the engine is designed to run at a certain temp, and today's engines being computer controlled, the computer senses it and tries to compensate for it.
I would try and obtain the proper (present) running temp, I would prefer one of those laser temp sensors, and make sure all hoses and components are behaving. Hang in there, and let us know...
I would try and obtain the proper (present) running temp, I would prefer one of those laser temp sensors, and make sure all hoses and components are behaving. Hang in there, and let us know...
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
I had the same problem with my '87 F-150, dual tanks. Both tanks would show way past full, then gradually go down until the needle would just bounce up and down on E. Never did fix the problem, sold the truck before I really worried about it. My '86 had a broken wire under the dash that had the guage constantly reading empty.
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Junior User
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Neil , the way I fixed the heat gauge was to finally be able to access the sensor that operates the dash gauge . The reason it took me so long is it is difficult to get to ! It's at the back of the block , on the passenger side ,under the intake manifold . I finally managed to find a position , from under the truck , where I could reach it and get it off . If you could put it on a rack , it would be much easier to get to . It's only about $ 7 so replacing it is cheap. The gauge works fine now but I'm still having issues with the overheating when the engine is put under a load such as going up a hill . Also , still having low power problems and engine stumbling when accelerating . " The dance continues " with that problem !