Fuel gauge not working correctly

Hi:

This is a very common problem. The fuel float on the pump is malfunctioning. The only way to correct the problem is to replace the fuel pump. The float is a part of the pump.

If you can live with the problem, it'll save you a couple hundred in the cost of the pump. If you want to replace it, let me know and I tell you the easiest way to relpace it.

Joe

97 dodge dakota 4 cyl

was driving down the road truck started chugging like it was a clogged fuel filter.

or ice in line pulled into gas station to put in dry gas and truck died noticed fuel gauge said it was empty so i put in 20 dollars still gas gauge sai empty. cranks over no start and i dont hear the fuel pump engage.

i guess my question is could it be a broke wire or if the fuel pumps goes bad will the gas gauge also go bad?

and can i some how hot wire the pump to check for operation and trouble shooting?

[quote:c0277a13af="poormnsdvd"]Electrical problem
1997 Dodge Dakota 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 140000 miles

97 dodge dakota 4 cyl

was driving down the road truck started chugging like it was a clogged fuel filter.

or ice in line pulled into gas station to put in dry gas and truck died noticed fuel gauge said it was empty so i put in 20 dollars still gas gauge sai empty. cranks over no start and i dont hear the fuel pump engage.

i guess my question is could it be a broke wire or if the fuel pumps goes bad will the gas gauge also go bad?

and can i some how hot wire the pump to check for operation and trouble shooting?[/quote:c0277a13af]


ok pulled gas tank and fuel pump out jumpered fuel pump and runs when i do ?

found 2 fuses for fuel pump one checks good simple two prong check

the other however is a 6 prong how would i check that? and if that is bad would that cause both the fuel pump and the gas gauge not to work ?

no thanks to this worthless community

a bad ecm will cause the problems as described

2 carpros is the worst site ever created

and the little advice they do give is total crap

like the bad brake lights tells the guy to check his brake switch and not the connection at the light itself

glad i dont donate to bafoons

good luck to all unsuspecting people who do donate

The fuel gage is not reading properly. This seems to be a problem with Dodge Dakotas. What can I look for to fix problem?

Hi:
Yes it is a problem with Dakotas. The problem exist with the float level sending unit which is part of the fuel pump assembly. To fix it, you will need to replace the fuel pump assembly which, as I said, the fuel level sending unit is a part of. You are looking at a 150 dollar pump plus some labor. Note: If you want to do it yourself, don't try to remove the fuel tank. It is faster and easier to remove the truck bed. Only eight bolts hold it on and you just need a couple people to help remove it. You have full access and no chance of cracking the plastic tank when you replace it. I've done it several times and assure you it's the easiest way. It takes me less than 20 minutes to have the bed off with air tools.

If you have other questions, let me know.

Joe

I have a 1995 dodge dakota 3.9 v6 140,000 mile with a fuel gauge problem. Even though the tank is full, the fuel light is on and the gauge shows that the tank is empty.

more than likely the fuel sending unit,(inside the tank), is bad. i would drive until the tank is close to empty before dropping the tank to replace it.

95 dakota sport p.u., had fuel pump replaced twice,1st time guage did not move off full,2nd time would not drop below 2/3 though it will move to full when u top off tank worked ok b4, also does not go 2 empty when ignition off, bad ground ?, phantom positive reading ? shop now wants to charge $85. for diagnosis, if problem is not in sending unit !!! Im baffled, & "mad" , any input ? they said 1st pump was bad out of box, upgraded to spectrum pump ,essiently same problem. HELP !, thank you

the only thing it can be is the rheostat on the float. They can check it before replacing the pump. All they need to do is check resistance.

my gas gauge only works when its full and it only goes to half a tank so i have to rely on the low gas light to know when to fill up

It sounds like the rheostat on the float is bad. The bad part is it is part of the fuel pump and in the fuel tank. Thus, you have to replace the fuel pump to fix it. NOTE: If you decide to repace the pump, it is faster and easier to remove the bed rather than the tank. There are 8 bolts that hold it on and then you can have someone help you move it. If you do it, make sure to unscrew the filler tube and remove the wiring ties in the rear.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

My Dakota's fuel gauge flutuates constantly. It is always in motion. It has been doing this for a month or so.Yesterday, we had 18 inches of snow and my truck would not start. I sprayed starting fluid in the carb and it would turn over for a second or so. I did tthis on multiple occasions. It sounds as if the fuel pump was not drawing fuel. The truck would not start at all.This morning I went out and the truck started right up with no hesitation. Your thoughts? Bad fuel pump? Frozen gas line? Any correlation between the fuel gauge issue and the fuel pump..

Chances are the fuel pump is going bad or your fuel filter is plugged. Here is a how to for checking fuel pump pressure. If it happens again, check it and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Joe

NOTE: Most parts stores will lend or rent the pressure gauge if you need one.

how do i fix my fuel gauge all of the other gauges work not that one?

Chances are the rheostat is bad on the float. It is a common problem. The bad part, it's part of the fuel pump in the fuel tank. To replace it, the pump goes with it.

If you decide to replace it, you have two choices. One, you can remove the fuel tank which usually ends up causing broken straps or bolts that will need drilled out. Or, you can remove the bed. The bed has 8 bolts holding it on. All you need to do is remove them, unclip the wiring to the tail lights, 4 screws that hold the filler tube to the bed (where you fill the gas tank), and remove the bed. Now that I have done enough of them, it takes about 20 minutes.

Once the bed is off, you have full access to the top of the tank and the fuel pump access hole. Make sure to clean all of the dirt from around the pump before removing the cover to access the pump.

If you have questions, let me know.

Joe

When the fuel tank gets about half empty,my gauge goes crazy.The needle goes to empty and then back up again several times. I know there is still fuel in the tank. Then when it goes a quarter full for real it goes back to normal.Is the sensor in the tank? What are several things that could be the cause? I replaced the fuel pump several years ago. I never know how much fuel I actually have. The pointer goes erratic.Thanks

best thing here is to check power when it gets belwo a half, if the gauge is sending power off and on it may doit or if wire is grounding out will do that as well. the sending unit is in the tank. Of course that can be bad as well

Installed new pump ,gauge read half ,filled tank gauge still read half , drove a little ways ,gauge went to full ,
drove over three hundred kilometers still reading full. Gauge on old pump worked great .

Either the rheostat on the the float is bad (even though it's new) or the float is sticking, bent, or stuck on something.

thanks for the info .

hello-- i bought this truck a little over a year ago knowing the gas gauge didnt work---the man i bought it from said that a garage mechanic informed him that it needed a sending unit in the gas tank--- not wanting to spend the money at that time he just went by the low gas warning icon--- i recently droped the tank and replaced the sending unit---now its worse---it not only still dont read---but the low gas warning light stays lighted all the time---now i have to go by mileage.--needle on gas gauge stays below the empty mark all the time..it does move slightly when filling tank. it makes me think that the float arm is stuck in the down position???. thanks ---don m


updated 8-2-09
to jacob and nickolas---on this one the sending unit just bolts on to the filter--- the box removal probly is easier but i work alone and in my driveway--will check out grd. you mentioned---thanks don

I agree with you. Did you replace the fuel pump and sender at the same time. If I remember correctly, in 91 they were one part. Also, was the wiring in good condition including the ground? Remember, it's a plastic tank and needs the ground sent to it.

Let me know. Also, in the future, I found that it is actually faster to remove the bed rather than the tank. It's held on by 8 bolts and comes right off. I know it sounds crazy, but it is easier.

Let me know what you find.

hello--the sending unit on this is held on to the fuel pump with 3 small bolts.--- will check out grd. as you suggested---years ago there use to be a regulator under the dash which tied in with your fuel gauge.-- (MANY years ago). i need a good wireing schemetic-- don

Don,
I tried to find a schematic for you, but can't find anything that would help. Even if I did, when I copy and paste, you can't read what it says. Check to make sure there is a good ground and let me know what you find.

Don't know if this applies, but on 1990s minivans, the float arm is held on by one plastic finger. If you pop the arm off, you can bend the metal contact arm so it makes better contact. It was REAL common for the gauge to read properly from full to half tank, then drop to "empty" until it got down to 1/4 tank at which time it would read correctly again.

In your case, the float is most likely rotated down too far to where it's stuck on the bottom of the tank. This can happen when the tank is at a severe angle when you put the unit in. What Jacobandnickolas said about removing the box, and installing the sending unit when the tank is at least 1/4 full will help prevent this from happening again.

caradiodoc

thanks for the new info-- will slide box back as that does sound easier---will take unit out of tank and manually operate lift arm and see whats going on---thanks again--don

hello---i didnt pull box as suggested---(these 76 year old mussels dont work like they use to.) -but i did keep 1/4 tank of gas in it like you said---and it must have been stuck on bottom as i dry tried it and it regestered good.--put it back together and all is well. thanks for the good info.-- (im getting to old for this s---.) don

I understand. It can be heavy. Regardless, I'm glad it's fixed. And a special thanks to caradiodoc. Let us know if you have questions in the future, and thanks for using 2carpros.com.

Joe