Fuel gauge is acting strange on my 98 dakota. Is there a ground wire or wires I can check without dropping the tank? It's okay untill a half tank, then it craps out to almost empty, then slowly rises up to around half again. Restart the truck and it's near empty again. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

On my '02 fuel gauge is doing the same thing drives me crazy,an answer would help both of us

 

Sounds like a fuel sender issue. I don't think there is any way to get at it without removing the tank. You may need to remove the fuel pump assembly to get at the sender. The part should only cost around $40.

 

jreed1079, you sentemental fool. the days of a $40 sender are long gone. the fuel sender is an integeral part of the in the tank fuel pump and reg. check a hays or chilton, there are test procedures - and i think you can test it with the tank still on the truck (assuming you have small hands).

 

The fuel sending unit can be replaced. I did it on my 98 dakota and it wasn't too hard, just time consuming. The best way to do it is to pull the box off. I know it sound hard but its easier than dropping a tank full of gas. Its only 8 bolts, the tailight wires, and the fuel filler neck. My buddy and I lifted it right off my truck and set it aside. it isn't that heavy. anyways on the top of the tank is the fuel pump. you have to disconnect the wires and the fuel line. then unscrew the large nut holding on the fuel pump. once you do that, it should lift right out. The middle two wires on the connector on the top of the pump are for the fuel sending unit. you have to check that with an ohmeter. im not sure what the numbers are but you should check it at full 1/2 and empty. the haynes manual i bought had very detailed instructions and pictures to follow. I bought the new sending unit from my chrysler dealer and it was around $60. I would STRONGLY recommend buying a haynes manual before trying to tackle this. Good Luck!

 

The fuel level sending unit resistance on a full tank should bw 14- 26 ohms and on a empty 214 to 226 ohms. 1s you get the fuel pump assembly out you can mess with the float to simulate full and empty. dont forget to relelive the fuel pressure before starting.

 

I'm having the same problem in my 2000 dakota. I think it is the sender but why are so many failing? Can you recommend anyplace where I can get a new sender/pump unit for under the $266 I'm seeing all over teh internet? I tried to contact dodge and let them know of the probelms but that didn't work.....

Any assistance whould be appreciated, thank you.