Fuel Gauge Inop !!

[Paul]

Had the Explorer laid up for about three months, and when I started it up the fuel gauge no longer worked. Figure the most likely culprit is the sending unit at the tank, but thought I'd post here in case anyone else had had the problem and knows of any other reasons why the gauge would just stop working.

For what it is worth, when I turn the "accessory" switch on, the gauge moves from the "E" portion to about a quarter tank. When the truck is started, the needle dives back down to the "E".

Thanks in advance for any info,

Paul

 

[Yng_pnk]

I have a similar problem. When i fill it up the first 10 gallos go so fast but when it hits about 1/2 it goes alot slower? Anyone know how i can fix this?

 

[TPLYNCH]

The little float in the tank could have sprung a leak, filled with gas and sank to the bottom.....

 

[ajevenson]

Paul,

For what its worth my Explorer does the exact opposite. It reads full all the time until I turn it onto accesory and then it falls down to 3/4 of a tank. It has nothing to do with the fuel level though.

There appears to be an internal problem with the wiring in the dash. I've spent a few hours last couple of weekends trying to locate it. My temp sensor always reads cold, the oil sensor always reads low and every now and then if I turn on the interior light with the vehicle in drive (after I've hit a big bump) with the lights on, the gas guage will fall all the way to 'E' and then jump back up.

Your brass float may have sprung a leak and is stuck to the bottom. That's a big job though so your best friend may be a multi-meter and a few spare hours of testing just to make sure you've ruled out the electrical problems before you dive headfirst into ripping the gas tank off.

 

[Paul]

Thanks for the info

Tplynch and AJ -

Thanks for the information. Thought it might be the fuel sending unit, but I guess it could be a whole host of other options - - will look into this week. My temperature gauge also shows cold as well - - could be dash wiring . . .

Its really not that big of a problem, I've been gauging fuel "in the tank" on my Harley with the trip meter for the last ten years and can do it with the Explorer as well - - just want to get all systems working.

Thanks again.

Paul