My 93 Dakota's fuel gauge has went haywire! If I fill the tank, the gauge will show full, but after about a gallon is used, the gauge will go to empty. After that, it will sit at empty and twitch like a dying bug. Any ideas? (stock gauge) Thanks

 

Congratulations! You are the proud owner of a 2nd Gen Dakota with the Dancing Needle Disease! This is a very common problem, and the only way to fix it is to either clean the sending unit in the tank (attached to the pump), or replace the sending unit. You'll find a number of us that just go on mileage rather than drop the tank. Wait until the pump it's self dies out. You'll save your self shop money unless you are able to do it your self.

 

I'm planning to sell it, so I'm trying to fix the little stuff. I have the clymer manual for it, so I'm hoping it will tell me how to do it. Thanks for the help

 

Its easy, either take the bed off or drop the tank. If you drop the tank, be careful, the lines are plastic and if you kink them its over. There isnt much room to drop the tank, you have to take it half way down, and fight to disconect the lines and wires before you can drop it all the way. Personally I would pull th ebed. Get a friend, disconect the tail lights and filler neck from the bed, 8 bolts on the underside, and lift it off. Unscrew the lock ring and remove the fuel pump. Two phillips head screws hold the sending unit on the side of the pump assembly. It may be hard to find just the sending unit though, call around.