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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

SENDING UNIT PROBLEMS ????

  • Thread starter Thread starter SL87lx
  • Start date Start date Mar 9, 2007

SL87lx

New Member
Aug 4, 2006
9
0
0
san leandro cali
Mar 9, 2007
#1
  • Mar 9, 2007
  • #1
I TOOK MY 87 MUSTANG TO THE SHOP TODAY TO SEE IF I COULD GET MY FUEL GAUGE FIXED AND THE TOLD ME THE SENDING UNIT WAS BROKEN OR MESSED UP HE WANTED LIKE 450 TO FIX IT BUT I WAS WOUNDERING IF I JUST WENT TO THE JUNK YARD AND TOOK ONE OUT FROM A MUSTANG THERE IF IT WOULD BE EASYER AND WHAT YEARS WOULD FIT MY 87 LX ?
 
C

C6AE

Member
Mar 22, 2004
145
1
17
Ma.
Mar 9, 2007
#2
  • Mar 9, 2007
  • #2
You can get a new sending unit for about $90
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Mar 9, 2007
#3
  • Mar 9, 2007
  • #3
The main bunch of fun is going to be dropping the tank, removing/installing the sending unit without igniting the fumes (use a non-metallic object or brass hammer/punch to knock off the retainer ring), and then wrestling that bugger back up into place. An extra set of hands makes it MUCH easier. I wouldn't pay someone $400+ to mess with it. Buy the part new (don't bother with a used one, you don't want to have to re-do the job if it goes bad), and hire a buddy to help you install it. Might take you about 3 to 4 hours, tops.

Basically, all that's involved is: backing the car up on some ramps, loosening the fuel filler neck from the filler door, unbolting the tank holding straps, knocking off the retainer ring (hammer and wood block worked for me before on my previous 'Stang), removing the old unit and putting in the new one, knocking the ring back into position, and then the REALLY fun part ... lifting that turd back up into position and holding it there while you try to get those holding straps back into place, AND getting it lined back up with the filler neck. Again, an extra set of hands makes it MUCH easier, but theoretically you could use a jack and get 'er done ... it's just a major PITA that way.

I've had a brand new sending unit sitting in my closet for about a year now (about $90 from 50resto.com), and I can't ever get around to it because A. My stupid HOA won't let me work on my car in my driveway anymore, and B. I can't convince anyone to volunteer a couple hours of their time to help me lower/lift the friggin' tank.

Until then, just use your trip odometer to figure how much gas you've got left. I refuel when I get close to 150 miles (which is about 1/3 tank left for me), then reset it when I fill up. You could probably go as high as 200 miles, but unless you really know how much gas you've got left, you're kinda taking a gamble on running out of fuel at that point, depending on what kinda mileage you've been getting for that tankful. Been driving the car this way as long as I've had it, and I have to do the same thing with my Lincoln Town Car because the stupid sending unit in that thing only works half of the time (stupid digital dash readout gauge).
 

Cwalk

New Member
Sep 25, 2006
78
0
0
Virginia Beach, Va
Mar 9, 2007
#4
  • Mar 9, 2007
  • #4
I have the same problem and I just put $10 in the tank every three days. Haven't ran out yet. I even took a trip out of town. It was only about 320 miles so I just stopped halfway and filled up again.
 
C

C6AE

Member
Mar 22, 2004
145
1
17
Ma.
Mar 9, 2007
#5
  • Mar 9, 2007
  • #5
Until then, just use your trip odometer to figure how much gas you've got left. I refuel when I get close to 150 miles (which is about 1/3 tank left for me), then reset it when I fill up. You could probably go as high as 200 miles
Click to expand...
I did that for a couple years
 
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