Hey guys,

So, for as long as I have had my 2004 Dodge Dakota QC 4x4 (purchased 2016), the fuel gauge has always shown FULL when topped up but… after it hits 3/4 of a tank, it zeros out and goes to empty with the gas and engine light on.

From there on, most of the time I can start it and it will show a “correct reading “ and then zero out to empty. Once it hits 1/4 tank it reads relatively accurately and doesn’t zero out as much or at all.

When I scan it, it gives me a high output sending code (I’ve actually forgotten what it is) and I know I can’t buy the sending unit seperate any more… so before buying a rock auto special (Delphi? Carter? Ultra power?) is there anything I can check before replacing it? I’ve done the gauge sweep and the fuel gauge stumbles around after doing its three sweeps.

cheers
parker

 

Buy a new one and have it on hand, find out which pins on the connector are the level sense pins, put an ohm meter on it and move the float thru its range of motion to become familiar with the readings (resistance values) at 0%, 50% and 100% Then go measure yours. Would need to pull your pump to check it but at least you would confirm that it is indeed bad before swapping in the new one.

 

If you get this far, it wouldn't make sense to put it back in. Just replace with a new Delphi unit.

 

while that is true, nothing will frustrate him more then doing all that work and still having the problem. I'm always on the verify if possible before swap side of things.

 

Oh yeah. Verify for sure. Just saying I wouldn't put the old one back in even if it was good, due to the miles. I've been down this path and was able to verify it wasn't the fuel pump with 320K mi on it. It turned out to be the $10 relay, LOL. Luckily I found out before pulling the pump.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ng-320k-3.html

Helpful video for OP.