Hi guys got a 93 5.2 dakota and noticed the other day my gas gauge started bouncing around when i was stopped at a light. Now its doing it more often, so my ? is do i have a bad float or is it an electrical issue? If its a float issue can i replace just the float or do i have to replace the whole unit?

 

I had that problem in my '93 and it turned out to be the fuel sender unit.

 

Ok thanks so I have to take the bed off or drop the tank to get to it?

 

Yes correct.

 

You can do either.
If the tank is full of fuel, you're best bet it removing the bed.
If the tank is empty, well, I'd still remove the bed, but some people claim it's not bad dropping the tank.
I removed the bed when I had to do some work. It was easy. Just don't forget to disconnect and than reconnect the electrical harnesses.

 

Here is what I did on my 94 Dakota club cab.remove 4 screws on fill hose shroud,remove 4 bed bolts on drivers side ,loosen but leave in 4 bed bolts on passenger side,make sure tail lite wiring has enough slack or take connecting plugs apart.Bed is light enough so one person can lift while other (wife) puts timbers between frame and bed.An old bumper jack came in handy.
94 Dakota fuel pump 002.jpg

 

if your going to check out the float in the tank you my want to check out the connections for the float you might get away with not spending anymoney

 

Thanks I will try and work on it this week end just filled the tank so the bed is a good plan

 

its probably the float breaking contact with the sending unit...i had that problem with mine where the float was worn on the post it pivots on and the little tabs kept breaking contact. bending the tabs outward more will fix the problem if that is the problem...

 

if it was me and it was not simply the connections rather than pull the pump I would just use the trip odometer and figure on a 12 mph average consumption on the 22 gallon tank.