PLEASE HELP GAS GAUGE!

[Zach06mercury12345]

Can someone please help with my gas gauge problem?!

The car is a 2006 mountaineer with a 4.0 engine with 151k miles. (Bought brand new)

I signed up to figure this problem out as I feel like I have read everything on the Internet and can't seem to fix this!

For a few month the gas gauge was off/floating going up and down hills

Now the gauge is stuck on E all the time and message center says "low fuel level"

I've replaced the fuel pump and sending unit trying to fix this problem with no luck

I'm leaning towards it being a actual cluster problem, at ALL times the gas gauge does not work, reads "oil change required, fuel level low"

Even after shops/me reset the oil life it goes away for maybe 1 min then comes back on.

Is there a gauge sweep option on 2006+ mountaineers if I could figure out how to do that it would be able to at least tell me if the gas gauge on the cluster is bad?

Side note- don't know if it's related but a wrench light came on this morning, was told it was just a "needs mantaince light" and not to worry about it. Also would like to know what the wrench means if anyone knows.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Machine090767]

Well, if it were my vehicle, I'd take it to a mechanic and have them look at the issue.
I know many here like to save money and work on their vehicles themselves, but if even searching the Internet didn't help you, then it's time to send in a pro.

 

[Zach06mercury12345]

Well, if it were my vehicle, I'd take it to a mechanic and have them look at the issue.
I know many here like to save money and work on their vehicles themselves, but if even searching the Internet didn't help you, then it's time to send in a pro.

I've taken it to 2 shop, both said fuel pump and sending unit, replaced the first time my self after the shop told me what the cause was thought I'd save money by just picking it up and fixing it myself second time I had a shop replaced it and it never fixed the problem.

Only thing they tell me is if it's not the fuel pump and sending unit I'm not sure what it could be unless it is the cluster.

 

[Lamancha]

@Zach06

I had the same problem with my 2010 Explorer.

I changed the fuel pump at the dealership (Dominican Republic). But the problem persisted. It was a NEW part.

Then I suspected it was the fuel tank float that comes integrated with the fuel pump. I took it back to the dealership and evidently it was the fuel tank float.

My suspicion is they put the old float in the new one, but that is another story.

The fuel tank float had some gears broken, or some magnetic part. I don't remember.

Hope it helps.

 

[schmidty1284]

Sounds similar to mine. It would read one day not accurate but worked. Then after days it would be on empty. Finally got a Code out of it can not remember what the code was but either way ended up being a broken wire in the factory harness under the tank.

 

[michael loibl]

If you are still interested in doing a gauge sweep test, you should be able to do it by turning your truck off, then press and hold the reset button below the climate controls.
While still holding reset down, turn the ignition key to on position.
After a few seconds it should enter engineering mode, and you can scroll through the options by pressing the reset button.
I believe gauge sweep test is one of the first five options

 

[michael loibl]

While you are in the engineering mode you can also continue to scroll through the menu and you can find several fuel related readings which may be helpful to you

 

[gregory30241]

I've taken it to 2 shop, both said fuel pump and sending unit, replaced the first time my self after the shop told me what the cause was thought I'd save money by just picking it up and fixing it myself second time I had a shop replaced it and it never fixed the problem.

Only thing they tell me is if it's not the fuel pump and sending unit I'm not sure what it could be unless it is the cluster.

My explorer done the same or was a dirty muddy plug i unplugged it 2 plugs cleaned it and grounded it.rust.works fine.before you turn your key on gold down the mileage reset then turnthe key over.will put it in engineer mode tests all the gauges and ****.