Stuck gas gauge

[Daggers]

Hey whats up this is my first post so not sure if this is the right forum to use but here it goes any help would be appreciated.....
i have a 94 explorer 4x4 xlt with 222,x.. miles lifted front end 2' (blocks) ....
i topped off my gas the other day and when jumped back into the truck the gas gauge hasnt moved from empty. and since it hasnt moved. what could it be or where do i start to check. i read anti slosh moduel and sending unit down to just a bad ground wire.......not sure where to start and extremely on a tight budget right now....
any help would be apprecitated thank you

 

[Bruces expo]

Most of the time on the first gens its normally the float getting full of fuel and sinking to the bottom , very common issue , there is a few write ups on here on how to remove and replace the float/sending unit and pump assembly , but I'm sure others will chime in with more info

 

[Daggers]

ok, i wasnt sure of which route to go as far as how to check the ground issue or how to diagnose and condem the slosh moduel. thank you for the responce. any recommendation on a fuel pump/sending unit or can i just by the float?

 

[Bruces expo]

You can just buy the float but most would recommend to go ahead and replace the pump while your at it , I know when I get the time to fix my float , I'm just going to do the float and wait on the pump

 

[cgbier]

If it ain't ground, it's the floater.

The whole assembly including pump and strainer is some 90 bucks at Rockauto (I just ordered one). I'd go that route. In that way, you only do it once.

 

[cgbier]

That's the one I ordered:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=296600&cc=1119631

There are cheaper ones, but being foreign to American brands, I went the German way: pick the expensive one.

 

[Daggers]

thanks for all the input, ill look into each tonight and let you know what i find out and do to make it work. how do i check the ground? do i need to drop my tank to get to it? or is there a harness and color wire i can try and ground to my frame before i order the pump/float etc....

 

[cgbier]

Check this lengthy, but very fruitful discussion
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398438

 

[cgbier]

The harness connector is in the left frame somewhere in the area between spare wheel and tank. It's a bit fumbly to reach.

 

[awood]

I'm cheap, so I cut the access panel in the floor under the seat as described elsewhere in the forum (so I wouldn't have to drop the tank), removed the sender/pump assembly, removed the float (It's just clipped on), slowly drilled a small hole in the float (hey, it's brass - no sparks), shook out the fuel that was inside, and found some fuel resistant sealant to "paint" over the soldered seam and to fill the hole I drilled. Put it all back together, and it's still working after 6 months. Why change the pump and/or sender if it isn't bad?

If it goes bad sometime in the future, I still have the access panel for easy removal.

 

[Raasch09]

I have the same problems with my 91 and from I'm understanding you guys are saying its best to just replace the whole pump/sender assembly.

 

[cgbier]

Check the connector first. You might then try awood's suggestion. I ordered the whole shebang (had to, as the pump died also).

 

[pkn]

Just to mention it... There is one more possibility: for the last ten or so years I simply ignore my dead fuel gauge and refuel based on trip-meter readings. Just don't forget to reset it after each fueling.

 

[Raasch09]

How many miles will they go on a full tank

 

[cgbier]

Depends on. Mine was getting 13-14mpg, but I still have stuff to fix/clean/replace.

Fill your tank, set the trip meter to 0, then go back to the gas station for a fill after some 100 miles. Divide the miles driven by the gallons refueled and you have your mileage. Do that several times to get a solid average.

 

[pkn]

How many miles will they go on a full tank

Mine - 4.0L V6 2WD XLT - on highway I start looking for nearest gas station at about 240-250 miles on tripmeter. Driving locally, I try to keep it under about 180.

But, as cgbier said, it is rather individual, depends on many things, including tire pressure and personal driving habits.