Center Console Message Center

[SR77]

The console message center that I have in my 96 Explorer Limited V8 does not accurately calculate the MPG. All of the info shown on it is correct except for the "Gallons Used", which is usually off by 1 gallon, showing 1 gallon less then I actually used, which is why I am getting an inaccuate MPG. My question is, is there a way for me to fix or reset it so that the "Gallons Used" is accuate? Is it something i could do, or would the dealer have to look at it? Thanks for the help

 

[SR77]

Anyone?

Anyone know a fix for the Message Center to make it read accuately? If not, is it something the dealer can fix? Thanks

 

[bhults]

Um, I'm not sure if this is related or not, but I'm speculating that it may be a built in "safety feature." I noticed this other day when I was getting gas: The message center said I had 1 gallon left till empty (the lowest I've ever had it)...I put $10 worth in, which was good for about 6 gallons of fuel. When I started the truck back up, the message center told me I had 10 gallons till empty. 6+1=7, not 10. I think it may read a little low to save those of us who rely solely on it as a fuel gauge from running completely out of fuel......make sense?

 

[SR77]

thanks bhults. I don't see why it would be a safety feature because it then makes all the other info in the message center wrong. Anyone else have a fix? Thanks

 

[FrankX570]

i've nothiced that too, when i would fill up gas. you're probably right, it gives those who depend on the little message center some leeway, so they don't get stranded.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Mine is fairly accurate. Whenever I fill up, I usually about a gallon low (i.e., Computer shows 16.7 gal used and I only pumped only 15.9 or something). I just fill up to 16.7 gal and went on my way. Here's a tip, find a station with an incline. Park your truck face down the incline will actually help you fill up another 2 or 3 gallons of gas.

 

[SR77]

Thanks for the replys. So there is no way to reset or fix the message center so it is accurate?

 

[98EBV8]

I know that there is a reserve of a few gallons for safety after the gauge either read empty or 0 miles to empty. So, that is what I am thinking about the gallons to empty thing.

I wouldn't fill the tank any more than clicking off on a flat level surface. You could waste fuel because of the evaporative process of the "extra" gas.

There is a button called "RESET". Press "ECON" until you see your average MPG, then press this magic button called RESET. You need to press the RESET button everytime you get gas, otherwise the computer will take the average of your MPG since the last reset.

 

[SR77]

Thanks, Yes I do reset everytime i fill up, but the Gallons Used is constantly off by about 1 gallon every time i reset. I was hoping there was some other way to reset the computer to make it read the correct amount used. Thanks

 

[ndwhitaker13]

Yeah, I just noticed it the other day. I let mine get down to 0 gallons and like 2 mile til empty. It said i had used 19.2 gallons, and i could only put in like 18.7. I also noticed that it will use about 3 to 4 gal before it says 20 gal til empty. Seems like the only thing accurate on this to me is the mileage.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Here's the discription from the shop manual:

Fuel Computer

The fuel computer of the message center indicator (10D898) uses information from other modules and sensors to perform its calculations.


Range

The Range feature has two displays: 1) the distance that can be traveled before refueling, and 2) the distance that was traveled since the last trip odometer reset. The range switch will change the message center indicator between the two displays.

The Range (Distance to Empty) feature is calculated using the fuel flow signal from the powertrain control module (PCM) (12A650), the speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) (9E731) and the fuel level signal from the fuel level sensor (9275), which is a part of the fuel pump (9350).

-The fuel flow and speed signals are used to calculate a running average fuel economy (RAFE), which is multiplied by the fuel remaining to give the range.

-RAFE is not the same number as the Average Fuel Economy displayed by the message center indicator.

-RAFE is based on the past driving history and cannot be reset except by a battery disconnect.

-When the range decreases to 80 km (50 miles) to empty, the message center will display the LOW FUEL LEVEL warning.

-With a fuel tank (9002) full of fuel (160 ohm signal from fuel sender) and after a battery disconnect, the Range should be approximately 460 miles to empty.

The Range (Trip Odometer) feature:

-Is calculated using the speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor.

-Can be reset to zero by pressing the reset switch while the trip odometer is displayed on the message center.


Status

The Status feature has two displays, fuel-to-empty and fuel-used. The Status switch will change the message center indicator between the two displays.

The fuel-to-empty calculation:

-Is obtained using the fuel level signal from the fuel level sensor.

The fuel-used feature:

-Is calculated using the fuel flow signal from the powertrain control module.

-Can be reset to zero by pressing the RESET switch while the fuel-used feature is displayed on the message center.


Economy

The Economy feature has two displays:

-Average

-Instant

The Economy switch will change the message center indicator between the two displays.

The economy calculations are obtained using:

-The fuel flow signal from the powertrain control module.

-The speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor.

The average fuel economy feature can be reset by pressing the RESET switch while the average fuel economy feature is displayed on the message center indicator.

 

[bhults]

I kind of figured that the message center was obtaining some other variable (fuel flow) to calculate "distance till empty" because I noticed once that while I had it in this mode, my distance to empty actually INCREASED---and this occured shortly after my driving environment changed from the city to the freeway. Interesting.

 

[SR77]

Thanks '96. So from your info, I guess that the PCM is getting the wrong Fuel Flow Signal or the Fuel Flow Sensor is bad. Guess the PCM is something the dealer is gonna have to look at. Thanks