bgflatbed

The fuel guage on my 1 ton 12 valve is going nutts! Does'nt matter if the tank is full or empty, the gauge resisters for a while the correct level and then goes a ways past empty, then back to level. It does this all time, until the level is actually bout' a 1/4 tank. Any ideas?

Zeus1987

try not filling up the fuel tank all the way. the sender unit might be getting stuck at the top. had the same thing happen to mine.

bgflatbed

I don't think that's the deal because when the tank is half full, the guage registers half, and so on. It just can't make up its mind between acual level and 0 guage peg out.

infidel

Time to replace the tank sender, about $50 from the dealer.
Easy swap with the worn one except you have to either drop the tank or raise the bed to get at it.
I prefer raising the bed.

bgflatbed

It's a flatbed, so no problem. Thanks for info.

T-Hood

The same thing happened to my truck, after pulling the tank and fuel gauge, I found that the float arm stopped making contact with the rheostat, if you look close or use a ohm meter you will see a wild fluctuation in resistance if this is the problem. I was able to fix mine with a 1/4-20 bolt and two stainless washers. just remove the clip and and hardware holding the float arm to the sending unit and replace with new hardware, then adjust to set tension so that the float arm can move but the "wiper still makes contact

bgflatbed

That's exactly what i found when i tore into mine this weekend. Thanks for the help.

T-Hood

yep no problem, now I wish I had taken a few pics and made a parts list so I can remember the next time I fix one of my buddies trucks

infidel

I think the fix you did is here, with pictures no less!
http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuel_sender/sender.htm

T-Hood

Yep, thats just about the same!! No mater how clever I think i am, somebody has already been there done that (with pictures)