2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

trouble w/ fuel gauge. full empty no wait full again

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 11-22-2011, 07:42 PM
johnyredd99's Avatar
johnyredd99
johnyredd99 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default trouble w/ fuel gauge. full empty no wait full again

95 ram 2500 w/ 5.9 fuel gauge has always worked untill recently. over the past week it start fluctuating up and down alot, maybe once reading below empty w/ fuel light on even tho tank was full.

past 2 days gauge has not come up above empty and fuel light has not gone out.

where do I start?

did a search and found people saying it was in the FAQ so I looked there and could not find anything.

thank you
 
  #2  
Old 11-22-2011, 08:56 PM
crazzywolfie's Avatar
crazzywolfie
crazzywolfie is offline
Legend
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: orangeville ontario
Posts: 8,023
Received 71 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

could maybe be a bad ground connection to the sending unit. i am not sure how you would go about testing it since it is such a PITA to get at unless you drop the tank or remove the box.
 
  #3  
Old 11-22-2011, 09:51 PM
Magnum4406's Avatar
Magnum4406
Magnum4406 is offline
Professional
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Seems like your sending unit has gone bad. My 95 did the same thing to the point of using the trip odometer to judge the remaining fuel. I used this method until the fuel pump went bad and I had the replace the fuel pump module and it was back to normal. From what I have read some fuel blends leave a residue on the wiper arm of the sending unit and it starts out with erratic readings and finally just quits.
 
  #4  
Old 11-23-2011, 08:11 AM
johnyredd99's Avatar
johnyredd99
johnyredd99 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

ok then my next question is then is this a sign of the fuel pump starting to go out?
 
  #5  
Old 11-23-2011, 09:08 AM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is offline
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 80,697
Likes: 0
Received 3,171 Likes on 2,924 Posts
Default

Not really, the sending unit for the gauge is a separate part of the whole thing. (I think you can get a replacement pump, but, it's a pain in the keester.....) If you want to replace the sending unit, it comes with a pump......
 
  #6  
Old 11-23-2011, 05:10 PM
zman17's Avatar
zman17
zman17 is offline
Retired Moderator - RIP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by johnyredd99
ok then my next question is then is this a sign of the fuel pump starting to go out?

Yea, when the sending unit works intermittently.
 
  #7  
Old 11-23-2011, 06:02 PM
rwisaacks's Avatar
rwisaacks
rwisaacks is offline
Professional
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by zman17
Yea, when the sending unit works intermittently.
Agreed. My fuel gauge went back and forth for several weeks until the pump died, luckily in the driveway.
 
  #8  
Old 11-23-2011, 10:14 PM
redheadhunter21's Avatar
redheadhunter21
redheadhunter21 is offline
Champion
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 2,831
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

My sender has been out for a year and the fuel pump is still kicking
 
  #9  
Old 11-23-2011, 11:06 PM
johnyredd99's Avatar
johnyredd99
johnyredd99 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

well lets hope worse case it goes out in driveway. wouldnt wish it any other way for people. just turned 193k miles. not one thing its another. thanks for the help
 
  #10  
Old 11-23-2011, 11:26 PM
crazzywolfie's Avatar
crazzywolfie
crazzywolfie is offline
Legend
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: orangeville ontario
Posts: 8,023
Received 71 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

maybe if you add some of that fuel system cleaner like sea foam it will help clean and get the sending unit working again.
 


Quick Reply: trouble w/ fuel gauge. full empty no wait full again



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:46 AM.