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Gas gauge doesn't work. What could it be?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1990LXDropTop
  • Start date Start date Nov 4, 2005
1

1990LXDropTop

New Member
Dec 4, 2003
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Western Massachusetts
Nov 4, 2005
#1
  • Nov 4, 2005
  • #1
My gas gauge recently stopped working. It always reads on full now when the car is actually low on gas. Is there a sending unit that could cause this? If so where is it located? The tank?
 

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
995
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Northern Mass
Nov 4, 2005
#2
  • Nov 4, 2005
  • #2
yup; mine is the same. Sending unti located in the tank. Anywhere from 80-120 bucks depending on where you get it. I just watch my miles and fill up when I know I'm closing on 1/4 tank. To me, it's not worth the cost. if I was gonna sell it, then I'd replace it...
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Nov 4, 2005
#3
  • Nov 4, 2005
  • #3
Another possibility is that the sender wire shorted to ground.

Good luck.
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
Special Agent Mukity-Muck Whats in Charge Round Here
May 15, 2002
1,785
1,130
233
Indiana
Nov 4, 2005
#4
  • Nov 4, 2005
  • #4
or the float fell off the sending unit, thats what mine did,
 

vikingpower

New Member
Dec 6, 2004
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CWU Ellensburg, WA
Nov 4, 2005
#5
  • Nov 4, 2005
  • #5
HISSIN50 said:
Another possibility is that the sender wire shorted to ground.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thats what happened to me, I went out and bought the sending unit, $100+, and then when I dropped the tank I discovered it was just the ****t y factory wiring that had disintegrated. The original sending unit looked to be in excellent shape though. So I rebuilt the wiring and put the new sending unit in anyways. Major pain in the ass and the wallet for a quick fix that actually only needed about $2 in parts to correct the problem
 
J

JB66

New Member
Aug 21, 2004
565
1
0
New York
Nov 4, 2005
#6
  • Nov 4, 2005
  • #6
I just replaced tanks on both my Mustangs. The connectors for the fuel pump and sending unit tend to disintegrate and leave the wires hanging. Probably why yours is grounded. If you look above the tank seam under the rear bumper just to the right of center, you will find the 4 pin connector for the pump and sending unit. Disconnect it and see if the gauge drops to empty. BTW... the gauge wires go toward the center of the tank, and the pump wires toward the filler pipe.
 
8

87gtconv

ragtopman
Founding Member
Feb 11, 1999
2,595
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0
Southern Calif
Nov 4, 2005
#7
  • Nov 4, 2005
  • #7
I changed tanks and my gauge problem went away along with my leaky tank! Got the tank on eBay for $80.
 
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