WHat could it be??

[Mista_k214]

I have a 1986 Grand Marquis as some know and I have had my "empty fuel" light on for about a month now. I think my sensor in the tank has gone bad or maybe just stuck. IDK but the thing is my neighbor wanted to charge me $130.00 bucks for labor plus the parts I will need.

The main problem occured when I went to the gas station to pump some gas. As I put the gas pump inside my tank and start to pump it cuts off...like if it was full. Im sure it wasnt full because on my way to the gas station it felt like it was gonna cut off any minute. You know the feeling when the car acts up because it needs gas. So I stick my finger in the tank hole and its full. The only way for me to pump gas is if i slowly pump it and it will get full and I have to wait til the gas goes in so I can slowly start pumping again. In other words I can put 5.00 dollars worth in about 10 minutes. So im stuck with no job and I wanted my car out just in time for spring break.

The bad thing was the so called mechanic said that it was expensive because my gas tank was located on top of the differential...and When i looked under the car it was below the trunk. It has two hooks or hinges on the corners. Could I do this myself with a buddy of mines that has some experience or should I just pay.



What do you think the problem could be?

[87vicFIVEO]

Look again.............

Your tank is not under the trunk, like your Mechanic said it is sandwiched between your rear seat and trunk ABOVE the differential.

It's positioned in an uncommon vertical position.............

[gadget73]

Does the fuel gauge work, or is just the light stuck on? If the gauge works, but the light does not, probably a bad connection on the low fuel module. Its under the dash near the gas pedal. Whenever mine does this, I can usually fix it by unplugging the module and plugging it back in.

If the gauge is stuck on E, its probably either the float is bad, or the sender itself. Could also be a bad connection at the sender. The tank is indeed just in front of the trunk, kind of between the differential and the trunk. If you get enough fuel out of the tank, you can do the gauge sender without removing the fuel tank. Its on an access plate facing the front of the car. Simply rotate the lock ring by tapping around it with a hammer and a punch, and then pull the plate out. Make sure the fuel tank is near empty if you do this or you will get a nasty fuel bath.

[Mista_k214]

Look again.............

Your tank is not under the trunk, like your Mechanic said it is sandwiched between your rear seat and trunk ABOVE the differential.

It's positioned in an uncommon vertical position.............

But he made it seem as if its extremely hard. All I know is he isnt charging me all that...i just checked the fuel pump for my marquis and its 205.00 bucks.

[Mista_k214]

Does the fuel gauge work, or is just the light stuck on? If the gauge works, but the light does not, probably a bad connection on the low fuel module. Its under the dash near the gas pedal. Whenever mine does this, I can usually fix it by unplugging the module and plugging it back in.

If the gauge is stuck on E, its probably either the float is bad, or the sender itself. Could also be a bad connection at the sender. The tank is indeed just in front of the trunk, kind of between the differential and the trunk. If you get enough fuel out of the tank, you can do the gauge sender without removing the fuel tank. Its on an access plate facing the front of the car. Simply rotate the lock ring by tapping around it with a hammer and a punch, and then pull the plate out. Make sure the fuel tank is near empty if you do this or you will get a nasty fuel bath.

The empty light is always on...even after I just pumped gas into it. I will check the fuel module tomorrow...i have no idea how it looks like...but I will check all of them. I just replaced the flasher module. Im just going to replace the whole fuel pump. I wonder if the fuel pump includes the sensor. I would love to fix both things sort of a kill two birds with one stone.

thanks guys for your input

[brokebill]

my low fuel light has always occasionally came on regardless of actual fuel level. just chalked it up to oh well. guess i should check the module too.

and as far as pumping gas, i've always had to back the handle out a little bit and can then pump almost "full throttle". otherwise it clicks off as soon as i squeeze the lever.
hope this helps.

[Mista_k214]

my low fuel light has always occasionally came on regardless of actual fuel level. just chalked it up to oh well. guess i should check the module too.

and as far as pumping gas, i've always had to back the handle out a little bit and can then pump almost "full throttle". otherwise it clicks off as soon as i squeeze the lever.
hope this helps.

Yeah i will check my module tomorrow...as soon as I get back from school.

And yeah I have never had a problem pumping gas until about a week or two

The same thing happens to me, it clicks off. I have tried taking it out and even moving it around and still no fix. thanks

[gadget73]

what is the actual problem here, the low fuel light, or do you need a new fuel pump? I'm confused.

[Mista_k214]

Both @ gadget73

I would like to not have the Empty fuel light when my tank is full.

And I also want to replace my fuel pump....if that is the problem.

The main problem is when I went to the gas station to pump some gas. As I put the gas pump inside my tank and start to pump it cuts(ticks) off...like if it was full. Im sure it wasnt full because on my way to the gas station it felt like it was gonna cut off any minute. So I stick my finger in the tank and its full. The only way for me to pump gas is if i slowly pump it and it will get full and I have to wait til the gas goes in so I can slowly start pumping again. In other words I can put 5.00 dollars worth in about 10 minutes.

[87_crown_vic]

look at my description in the post called "gas gauge issue"

it is the way i found simplest to check sending unit. by connecting the sending unit wire on tank backwards, it makes gauge werk backwards. look at the description above what Thain said how to pull out the sending unit, and try what i said for description of where it is and how to check sending unit in other thread. fuel pump either werks or doesnt most of the time. it has nothing to do with the sending unit or float. some gas stations have poor maintenance and pumps do that at some places when i add gas to my cars and some places dont. fuel pump has nothing to do with how the gas goes in the car in the filler neck. if anything, undo the 4 bolts that are by the gas cap that hold filler neck in. after pulling those, pull the neck out and check for restrictions in the neck that would cause it to not fill correctly. sounds like something might be in there restricting it from filling right.

[Mista_k214]

Do you have a link?

or are you gonna make the newbie work twice as hard lol

yeah Idk what the problem could be...but it does have four little bolts in the filler in which I will remove and check. But what could possibly be affecting it.

Yeah your right maybe I will have to do the backwards things.

[87_crown_vic]

what do you mean by make you werk twice as hard? crawl under the car, feet toward rear bumper and head by rearend pumpkin... look up and toward back and you will be looking at the sending unit wiring on the front of the gas tank. it just pulls off. flip it upside down and see if it reads full after flipping it. if it does that, you will need to use large flat tip screwdriver or punch to knock the ring loose and unlock it. work your way around the ring since it has a couple places to hit it or it can bind up. make sure to get a sending unit seal for the gas tank from Ford stealership for $5 or less. if the come up to you with to round "O" rings, it is the smaller "O" ring since the arger one is the fuel pump seal. you pull the sending unit out some of the tank after retaining ring is off. after pulling it out some, lift up and twist it out some since it hangs down into the tank. the float itself costs me $6.66 from the Ford stealership also. it just snaps into the hook and looks like a mini brass keg. i have done a few and can have it replaced myself in about 10 minutes. to make it easier, i use a small amount of grease on the seal to help it stick to the Sending Unit plate to not have to fight it as much.

[Mista_k214]

Im sure to go out there and do it right now...

but as far as the gas not being able to go inside the fuel filler is making me mad.

that's my biggest rush, hopefully there's something stuck and i can get it out or something.

Im on my way to doing the sensor thing right now.

[Mista_k214]

what do you mean by make you werk twice as hard? crawl under the car, feet toward rear bumper and head by rearend pumpkin... look up and toward back and you will be looking at the sending unit wiring on the front of the gas tank. it just pulls off. flip it upside down and see if it reads full after flipping it. if it does that, you will need to use large flat tip screwdriver or punch to knock the ring loose and unlock it. work your way around the ring since it has a couple places to hit it or it can bind up. make sure to get a sending unit seal for the gas tank from Ford stealership for $5 or less. if the come up to you with to round "O" rings, it is the smaller "O" ring since the arger one is the fuel pump seal. you pull the sending unit out some of the tank after retaining ring is off. after pulling it out some, lift up and twist it out some since it hangs down into the tank. the float itself costs me $6.66 from the Ford stealership also. it just snaps into the hook and looks like a mini brass keg. i have done a few and can have it replaced myself in about 10 minutes. to make it easier, i use a small amount of grease on the seal to help it stick to the Sending Unit plate to not have to fight it as much.

the wire which is black doesnt reach or isnt long enough for me to try the upside down. I unplugged it from one side(the side on the tank) and it showed some sort of spark plug type deal but except its red. I dont know if that helps

[Mista_k214]

Im still having the same problem.

Im not worried about the fuel Light

but i dont know why my tank seems to be full when I pump it at the gas station, when I know damn well it needs alot of gas.

must be the high prices