A little help?

[88Vic]

My fuel gauge isn't working. The needle is on empty and the Low Fuel warning light are on even with gas in the tank. I have no idea what the problem is, how to diagnose the problem, or solve it. Does anyone have a suggestion other than replacing the tank? I can figure out the MPG and the tank capacity and how far I've driven, but the milage is never exact. Does anyone else have/did have this problem? I'm open to suggestions.

[Blaze86Vic]

It's the sending unit in the tank. You do not need to replace the tank. Nor do you even have to pull the tank out to replace it. The sending unit varies its resistance based on the level of the float. If it's gone bad, just replace it. Shouldn't be too much cost for the part. If you crall under the Vic under the rear axle, you can see the gas tank. The side facing the front has one thing coming out of it (two wires) located more toward the passanger side. That is the sending unit.

Here is a link to my fuel pump replacement, has some good info.

[88Vic]

Thanks Blaze, it'll be nice looking at a gauge to see how much fuel is left rather than making an educated guess. But if for some reason that isn't it, could it be a sensor in the tank itself? That's what my dad thought it might be, but he's probobly wrong.

[Tiggie]

The sender is the sensor, it's more than just what you see from the outside.

Possible causes could be a bad sending unit (might just be the float) or bad wiring to the sending unit or gauge.

[88Vic]

Where would I purchase a replacement?

[Blaze86Vic]

The sender is the sensor, it's more than just what you see from the outside.

Possible causes could be a bad sending unit (might just be the float) or bad wiring to the sending unit or gauge.

What he said, that sender is the sensor. Those wires go all the way to the dash and pretty much directly attach to the two lead on the gauge. The gauge is a very simple design. Unless it got hit, or something (bug) moved into it, there is no reason it would fail. It may get less accurate, but would read pretty normal. Also in agreement with Tiggie, try just cleaning up the connector at the sender (one in the pic).

Where would I purchase a replacement?

If you do decide to replace, Ford, or any auto parts store should be able to get it.

[88Vic]

I know I keep asking a lot, but do you happen to know how much a replacement would cost?

[Grand Marquis GT]

The float itself is about 7 bucks from the dealership.

I had to replace this on my merk, mine was punctured and full of gas.
just make sure that you don't have that much gas in your car, and crawl under there and pop the ring and pull the sender out.

Then, push the arm on the sender up all the way to the full mark, and check that the float is not punctured.

If the float is full of gas, and when you put the arm all the way up and your gauge reads full, you have found your problem

Just MAKE SURE you don't have much gas in there! I learned the hard way, almost went blind in doing so, and my right ear still will never be the same again. :nonono:

Hope this helps!

[87_crown_vic]

i hope that it is just a wire on my car, or the connection since the car lot that i bought it from changed the fuel pump 2 months ago. hopefully they just forgot to hook it up or its backward if possible.

[gadget73]

It might simply be unplugged. To test the circuit, just jumper the the two wires in the plug. If the gas guage swings over to full, the voltage regulator, guage, and wiring are fine. If it doesn't peg, then there is another problem.

[87_crown_vic]

my gauge pegged out today when i used a jumper wire. i talked to Advanced Auto and ORelly Auto and they carry the part. only problem is that it is a complete package w/ the fuel pump for something like $150-$180. guess i will have to hit a boneyard if i take it apart and see if all is hooked up in the tank.

[Blaze86Vic]

Uhh, the fuel pump is a completely seperate unit all together. There is no reason in hell they should not be able to sell you a sending unit seperate from the fuel pump. That's like saying to buy a new engine for your car, you also have to get it painted.

[Lincolnmania]

new fuel senders are still availablefrom ford.......i get my ford parts from www.teamfordparts.com
do a search for fuel......they show one for 90 dollars
scott

[gadget73]

Yeah, the guage sending unit isn't even attached to the same place on the tank as the pump. Opposite sides. The pump requires tank removal, the guage sender does not.

[87_crown_vic]

i went to your website you posted and came up no match found. do you think you can pull it up and give the site again?