1999 Explorer cuts out at 1/4 tank.

[Davys99]

Hi guys. New member here. I searched and sisnt see anything relevant to my question, so, here goes...
I got a new fuel pump installed, on my '99 Explorer XLT, from an auto shop that shall remain nameless. Heres the problem.. when the fuel gauge is reading 1/4 tank, and I stop at a stop light or stop sign, the truck dies. I can start it right up, and then continue on my way, until I need to stop.Then it happens again. Also, when Im at 1/2 a tank, if I make a left turn, while moving, the car cuts out, and I need to restart it.
Ok, so I bring the explorer back to the place, and explain the problem. He asks what my mpg is, I tell him about 15mpg, he says that thats too high I should be getting less. He then tells me that the fuel gauge is probably off. It cant be, when Im at a 1/4 tank I fill up and get 16 gallons. I have a 21 gallon tank. So hes wrong there. anyways, is it possible that the wrong pump is in my tank? or maybe there is something else wrong? Any help would be helpful. Thankyou!
Dave

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. It sounds like he installed the wrong sending unit.

 

[J_C]

Did he list which parts were replaced? Did he replace the sending unit? IF the fuel gauge were off (which it doesn't seem to be based on your gas fill-up info) that is also his fault if it weren't before the pump switch-over, either he has damaged it while installing the pump (arguably a shop might claim it was so old that it would need replaced as part of the pump replacement, sometimes parts have to be sacrificed and replaced in the fuel system) BUT if that is the case there should be no labor charge to replace it now as it should have been replaced then, OR as BrooklynBay mentioned I too would suspect the wrong sending unit was used.

Either way it will have to be pulled out and inspected, if you get no satisfaction from the shop and had to you could pull it and measure yourself (seems too short for the tank depth) but I would insist the shop make good on their repair.

 

[Davys99]

For got to mention that I was parked on an incline with the front facing down, and it wouldnt start, until I got it level again.
I was thinking wrong sending unit too. I need to find the work order and see what part numbers are on it. Im thinking I might just pull the unit out and check for myself. I really dont want these guys touching my truck anymore. I think the service manager is full of B.S. from what he explained to me anyways. Thanks for the replies guys!!

 

[J_C]

I've had a 2nd thought about something you mentioned. The fuel sender would determine the depth of the pump intake, but also it determines the depth of the tank float for the fuel gauge.

Since you report that when it registers 1/4 tank, it appears to need 3/4ths of a tank worth of fuel to fill it, I am not as confident now that it would be the wrong sender. I am assuming the tank float is attached and pivoting on the sender.

In that case I can't think of a good reason why the gauge would be accurate if the pump intake wasn't low enough, UNLESS by random chance he had both used the wrong sender AND didn't get the tank back up into a level position, that it is sitting a bit sideways with the right side of the tank hanging lower than the left side (since it cuts out sooner on left-hand turns), but I find it hard to believe he could have mounted it that far off-level without noticing it.

Could it be the wrong pump? Possibly, if we had a picture of the sending unit that shows where the pump attaches, we might be able to see if a shorter pump would have its intake sitting higher in the tank... but that won't tell us if he used a different sized pump.

 

[Davys99]

Hmmm....Ill take a look to see if the tank is level. See all this started after the new fuel pump was installed. Before the pump was installed it never stalled. (Im not sure if I mentioned that). Right now I have a full tank of gas, and all is fine. So, Ill attempt to either take the take down, and look at the sending unit, or bring it in to another mechanic so he can check it out.
Once again, thankyou for the replies.