2002 Gas Gage

[DecOFlaherty]

I just bought a 2002 with a broken gas gage. It reads full all the time.
This won't be too much of a problem for me... but my wife may be driving it...

Anyone have any suggestions on where to start the trouble shooting? I'm not even sure what the resistance range is.

On my accord, I can access the sending unit from the trunk, but It dosn't look so easy on the explorer.

Thanks,
-Dan

 

[Stick4503]

Sending unit is made in the fuel pump assembly. It can go bad without the fuel pump going bad. You will have to drop the tank and change the whole assembly.

 

[DecOFlaherty]

Is it unlikely it's the gage? If I put it up on ramps, Can I get to it to test the resistance?

 

[Number Twelve]

"always full" indicates a short, very low ohms in the sensor. More likely to be damaged wiring or the darn computer that drives the gauge. Unplugging the sensor would be a place to start. That would either force an "empty" reading or start showing you where the problem really is. I doubt the sensor is stuck on "full", but it's possible.

There is a Thread on here about cutting through the floor behind the front passenger seat. I would surely cut the floor before I would drop the gas tank.

 

[Stick4503]

Dropping the tank is not that hard and can be done way quicker than removing seats a carpet to cut a hole in the floor without damaging wires and hoses under the floor that you cant see.

 

[DecOFlaherty]

Cool. Thanks.

 

[DecOFlaherty]

One thing I just noticed. The gauge seems like it works sporadically. I don't know if this makes it more or less likely it's just the fuel pump assembly.

I was curious about that "Anti-slosh" circuit board I've heard about.

 

[IPcamper]

Here is a trick to help in dropping the tank, I read it on the forums here, but don't remember who first posted it.

Take 2 ropes and tie them to the roof rack, drop them down the passenger side and under the vehicle under the gas tank ( one near the front, and the other near the rear ) then have them go up the passengers side of the vehicle to the roof rack through it and back down to the running board tie them off with a bit of extra rope. This will form a cradle so as you remove the tank straps the tank will drop a couple of inches and be supported by the ropes. With the tank held in this position it will be easy to disconnect the hoses and electrical connections and then let out the rope to lower the tank. Have a large sheet of cardboard for the tank to drop on and you can slide it out from under the vehicle from the rear.

I replaced the fuel pump in my explorer last year this way and it only took 2 hours.

 

[DecOFlaherty]

Thanks for the info on dropping the tank.

One thing I noticed though. The gauge is actually all over the place. One min it's at full and the next, it's empty.

Is there no chance this is electrical behind the instrument cluster before I take off my gas tank?

Thanks

 

[Number Twelve]

Is there no chance this is electrical behind the instrument cluster before I take off my gas tank?

More likely to be damaged wiring or the darn computer that drives the gauge.

Of course the electronics could be bad.
What mine does is hit a dead spot on the sensor in the tank and read, "empty" until I use enough gas for the float to move to a good spot on the sensor. Repeated experiences, and I can tell you where the gauge will be the next time it drops to empty for a few dozen miles. If your experience is nothing like mine, your problem could be nothing like mine.