fuel tank gone bad?

[stang0f87]

ok i've got multiple issues going on so bear with me. all of a sudden my gas light stays on all the time and needle tops out intermittently. sending unit's never been replaced so i figured better to go ahead and install a new one. while removing the tank i detected some movement. saw what looked like a cylinder lookin thing that sort of encloses the pump. hadn't noticed before when i replaced my pump few years back. anyways the only thing holding it in place is the pump. buddy of mine suggested maybe its purpose is to keep gas from sloshing away from the pump. guess that makes since but i'd of figured something like that would be welded and not free to move around. wonder if my tank is screwed? anyways i let it be and tried the new sending unit. warning light still comes on. i don't recall seeing any wiring issues while the tank was off. i read in one thread that the unit needs to be bent. is that right? any suggestions?

 

[srothfuss]

I am unaware of a cylindrical object that would be in the tank. But baffles have been known to come loose from their welds and slosh around inside the tank causing fuel starvation issues.

For a fuel light issue, I would grab a DMM and try to find where the circuit is stuck open.

 

[stang0f87]

well the car is missing for damn sure so that would validate the baffle theory. it seems to clear up when i get on it pretty hard. misses when cruising along. anyone ever had that happen? might grab the meter this weekend and try to get the fuel gauge workin. anyone else want to chime in?

 

[srothfuss]

There was a thread a few months ago about an issue similar to yours. Except when he went around a corner his car would cut out... I'll try and find it for you.