Fuel gauge not working properly, it always shows half full

2000 FORD RANGER
152,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MATT PRICE
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  • 1 POST
My son went off to college and left me his truck. He said that the gas gauge does not work any more and it's stuck on half a tank, well, he's right.

I have replaced the Fuel Pump with the Sender Unit, checked the grounds in the rear, put a new cluster in it, and have re-grounded the ground wire.

What happens if I take the connector out of the back of the instrument cluster that controls that side of the cluster, the fuel level pegs full over to the other side.

When I plug it back in, it goes to full. And when I shut the motor off and restart, it goes to half a tank.

With three fuel pumps, and taking them out and testing them - it's not the float. So, anyone have any ideas? I have no idea at this point in where to look to start doing PD.
Jan 14, 2021 at 10:30 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Based on your description, there is an existent short that is completed when you reconnect the gauge.

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To get started, I need you to go through the following flow charts for diagnosing the issue. See if this helps.

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2000 Ford Truck Ranger 2WD V6-3.0L VIN U
Test A: Incorrect Fuel Gauge Indication
Vehicle Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators Testing and Inspection Pinpoint Tests Pinpoint Tests - Instrument Cluster Test A: Incorrect Fuel Gauge Indication
TEST A: INCORRECT FUEL GAUGE INDICATION
A1 (part 1 Of 2)

pic 1



A1 (Part 2 Of 2)

pic 2



A2 - A4

pic 3



A5

pic 4



A6

pic 5

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Let me know if this helps.

Joe
Jan 15, 2021 at 5:18 AM