Check Gage light... fuel shows empty but not

[mikelets456]

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer 4.0 XLT and about 4 months ago I was sitting at a light and noticed my "Check gage" light came on and showed there was "no fuel" when indeed I had about 1/2 tank. At that time the locks stopped working so I unplugged the battery terminals and everything was fine for a few months. Then it happened again (yes, I have plenty of fuel in the tank) and when I turned the car off then on it was fine again. Now it seems to happen daily while driving, sitting at a light or parked with the engine on. However, when I shut the engine off then on again it is fine for a while then happens again. I have read many posts saying "pull the tank, pull the pump, pull a fuse, pull the sending unit....$1,200....$800.... I don't have that kind of money to fix this. Anyone know what is going on? Can I repair it? I also read about these "ohm" tests... they seem kind of complicated. Please, any ideas, photos describing how to fix or diagnose would be great.

 

[DLinkOZ]

Does the 2002 have the digital odometer cluster? If so, it may have the built-in diagnostics that allow you see codes, firmware versions, etc (my 2004 has it). One of those displays is the signal sent to the cluster that drives the fuel gage needle (I believe it's 0-255, with 0 being empty and 255 full). If your dash has this, it would be a quick and easy way to determine if it's the gage/cluster or something upline from it.

 

[Bani]

Try using Chevron Gas and add Chevron Fuel Cleaning additives for a few gas tanks. It could be sulfur deposit on the sending unit over time that has made the problem occur more frequently.

 

[bender]

Yes my wife's gage sticks and does not reset after fueling sometimes and i pour a bottle of chevron (techron) fuel treatment and it fixes it every time.

also you can use your trip odometer to track mileage for a pretty accurate way to monitor your fuel level. reset at fillup to "0" and know that when you get to 260-300-320 you are getting low (depending on your MPGs).

 

[mikelets456]

Yes my wife's gage sticks and does not reset after fueling sometimes and i pour a bottle of chevron (techron) fuel treatment and it fixes it every time.

also you can use your trip odometer to track mileage for a pretty accurate way to monitor your fuel level. reset at fillup to "0" and know that when you get to 260-300-320 you are getting low (depending on your MPGs).

I did the "Techron" thing 3-4 times and I noticed the frequency of this happen get worse. Someone said the tank had to be dropped to replace the sender and was $800.. NO WAY! It is an annoying little problem, though. However, it is sporadic but is getting worse....

Could it be the sender fuse? Slosh module? The reason I ask is because it is sporadic and not just "broke".

 

[ShawnTRD]

Wifes 05 is having this problem. Tried Chevron (Techron) Fuel Treatment, Seafoam, STP. Nothing seems to be fixing the problem anymore. Any new news on the fix for this?

 

[mikelets456]

Wifes 05 is having this problem. Tried Chevron (Techron) Fuel Treatment, Seafoam, STP. Nothing seems to be fixing the problem anymore. Any new news on the fix for this?

I used Chevron/Techron and switched to better quality gas. It took about 3 months but rarely does it anymore. In NJ we have "Wawa" gas stations with "inferior" fuel. Stopped using that, went to better quality and added Techron every few weeks and like I said it rarely happens anymore.

It previously was happening 4-8 times per day or more.

 

[Bani]

I keep the fuel level below the ¾ mark, so that the fuel does not get as high as the damaged point. When I do fill it at times it does happen most of the times but not always. I having being using chevron for the past 7 months and I hope the sulfur will final go away? Otherwise I will keep it below the 3/4mark.
For folks who are not absolutely sure that it is malfunctioning fuel-sending unit, try having the code read with a code reader to know for sure.

 

[ShawnTRD]

We get code P0463 Fuel Level Sensor High Input

 

[flyboy52]

I have a 2002 XLT - Fuel gage not working (showing empty) with Check gage light on has been an ongoing issue for years. Seems to happen in cold weather. But it would always reset itself. Now the gage is not working with light on for several days. It seems to be permanent. Is this really a sending unit problem? I will try and get the code and try fuel additive. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

[RKelly2233]

hey guys- theres a couple threads out there about this, and it happens to mine here and there. I fill up and it still reads empty and then will shoot up eventually. Has something to do with having a door open when filling up... theres some fix for it. Idk what it is... but its on here and i've never bothered to fix it... just my 2 cents

 

[flyboy52]

Fuel gage Problem

But does the check gage light come on when the gage is not working? I think I have a different problem. Gage failure does not correlate with filling the tank.

Incidentally my gage starting working again -- before I had chnace to add Chevron fuel addititive, but added anyway. Also used code analyzer after gage started working but no code was present -- thought maybe a bad code would have been stored.

These Ford explorer electronics and sensors leave a lot to be desired. Also have intermittent ABS and Check Engine lights.

 

[RKelly2233]

Yeah its gotta be somethin else... The only time I see any lights is before i actually start my truck... check gague when im runnin low on gas and the 4X4HIGH flashes and comes on when it sits for a week... I shut it off and start it again and its gone. Otherwise- nothing in its whole 182K miles...

 

[josetorr06]

has anybody been able to fix this problem?
thank you for your help.

 

[Hillbillyb4]

Same Basic Issue

I was idling my 02 Explorer XLS this morning and my gauge just stopped working. I figured I was low on gas and put $20 in the tank and nothing. I got to my destination, and knowing I would be a while, unhooked the battery while it was sitting for an hour. it wiggled a little when I hooked the battery back up but as soon as I started it, it stopped working again. If I do need to replace the whole unit ($225 +tax), is there an access panel so I can get to it myself. I am a mechanic but have never worked on this in an explorer and I don't have access to a lift right now to do it the right way!

 

[tank4]

Now fill my gas tank ( 2004 ford explorer v8 ) above the maximum mark , with the pilots ON when i put gasoline, when starting the engine I noticed that the gas gauge was on empty and the pilot check mark gage lit step for 45 minutes so the solution was to sudden acceleration on the road to consume more gasoline when the measuring needle under the brand F driver and fuel gauge worked again turned itself off .
council does not fill above the maximum level
Cheers