general question

[trashtruck]

this would apply to any gen explorer. turning the vehicle off after running, is the fuel gauge supposed to drop to empty? i know some vehicles do and some don't. the reason I ask is when i turn my 92 xlt off the fuel drops about 1/4 tank overnight so with a full tank I'm reading 3/4 tank untill I turn the key and it will show full again. is this normal?

 

[Wolfie_85]

Yes. Mine moved on its own when the key was off to a slighrly lower than true position.

 

[trashtruck]

cool. thanks. i feel better knowing I'm not alone.

 

[FR-425]

Totally normal. The fuel gauge uses a resistor and capacitor to reduce "bounce" when the key is turned of the capacitor discharges causing the gauge to move a bit.

Old school cars don't have this so when the fuel sloshes around the gauge swings wildly.

 

[Watchman]

So, when I go up a hill or accelerate quickly my gauge reads higher ... and then when coming to a quick stop or going down a hill it reads lower .. Is this also normal ?

When the vehicle was in it's early years the gauge did not waver like this. It happened after changing to an aftermarket fuel pump. The first time I changed the fuel pump/sending unit was at the dealer when it was 6-7 years old. And I did not experience this issue. But in it's later life when that pump/sending unit failed I used aftermarket units and the issue started (changed pump/sending unit 2X)

 

[trashtruck]

i think what you may be experiencing is the difference between the stock ford brass float and the plastic float used in a lot of aftermarket units. if it's not wildly erratic, i would consider it normal.