Today my gas guage started acting up. Every 5-10 seconds it will go from 3/4 tank (actual reading) to empty and the low fuel chime will activate. It goes from correct to empty whether the truck is being driven, sitting still with engine running, or when I first turn the ignition switch to the on position without startin the engine.

I first thought of a loose connection that would make & break during vibration from the engine running... but with the engine off and the ignition on, it doesn't sound like a bad connection.... HELP!!!!

The constant chime every few seconds is driving me nuts!!!

 

You need to check the gauge,the wiring anyway and if that doesn't show any faults then the sending unit in the tank is bad. Check and clean the connector on top of the tank.

 

I have this same issue. I searched on here and found similar posts about it. It is the assembly that the float slides up and down on from what I read. Seems to be very common, as these parts get damaged from fuel additives and the sulfur in the gas. That Chevron fuel additive, "super" something claims to help with this issue. I am going to try running it every 3K miles for a while and see if the problem persists. For now, I just watch the mileage and know about when I need to get gas. If you search on here, you will find a fix for it...I think I searched for something along the lines of "sticking gas gauge" or something like that.

 

My gauge just goes down to fast.

 

Err Umm ! I leave that one alone,

 

check your ground

 

Most of the time a bouncing gas gauge is exactly what Ram2K1 said, the float in the tank.

It cost me about $250 to get it replaced (labor + part) from a local shop on my 1995 Dakota which has a very similar setup to our Rams in the tank, because I don't have the tools or space to drop the tank myself (and that was back when I didn't even know one could do that yourself). The dealer quoted me $300 just for the part when I first took it there.

 

I had the same problem and put 2 containers of Chevron Techron Plus in the tank when it got down to 1/4. Problem solved. The tech articles say the chrome wires of the float wiper get sulphated and this stuff cleans it off. Worked for me. It goes around $11 a container but that's better than pulling the gas gauge out if you don't need to.

 

Check Wally World next time you buy. Ours has it for $6 a bottle...but you have to buy 2, b/c the only size they sell only treats up to 12 gal. I am going to try this soon...mine isn't acting up bad, but it does every now and then...thanks for the testimonial. I wondered if it would help.

 

The closest Wally World to us is 45 miles away going north and 44 miles and a $17.00 toll going south. The Eastern Shore of Virginia is somewhat remote from the "finer" things in life. The one saving thing is unless posted otherwise all the speed limits are 55 and there are only about 43,000 people living here.