lgp9999

My new CTD's fuel guage is all over the place. It gets to the bottom and the gas light comes on and starts dinging at me after I have about 220 miles on a tank. After I shut it off and turn it back on it often comes back up to around 1/8th tank. I know it's not just terrible fuel economy, because when I fill it up it only takes in the neighborhood of 11-15 gallons. Is there a common fix for this? Is there a slosh board on the back of the cluster or somewhere else that could be going bad? If the issue is the in-tank sender, how difficult is it to drop the tank?

Any other ideas?

phox_mulder

That's it.
Dodge is notorious for bad fuel senders.

Depends on how full the tank is, if empty, it's simple to drop, just two straps holding it on, if it's full, often it's easier to lift the bed to get to it.

Others will chime in regarding part numbers, $$$ and such.


phox

TIMMY22

first, try some dielectric grease in the module plug. could be a bad connection.


I tilted my bed.

6 or 8 bolts
1 ground strap
1 taillight plug to undo
clamp on filler neck

leave the bolts on the passenger side catching by a few threads

jack or chainfall the drivers side up in the air about 2 feet

replace or repair module

Racer9

Sending unit only available, about $65, reman fuel module about $125, new fuel module about $325.
Either way isn't bad, easier with low fuel in tank, if you're dropping it. If you have a way of lifting the bed, it's much easier to remove the fuel lines and wiring connector, with the bed off.
Also, see this thread; https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=129299

atthepark

If you are going to open the tank, you might also want to consider replacing the hard fuel lines with high quailty diesel rated flex lines. There is lots of info on how to this...just search for fuel lines on the forum.

Take a look too at the hard brake line that runs behind the tank; it is usually in pretty bad shape.

Again, there is lots of info, pictures, and instructions for doing this fix. I paid $60 for the sending unit from the local dealer.

Good luck, its not a real difficult job, just a little time consuming.

Anthony

6WHEELER

I got a freind and the dealer parts counter, he said that they couldn't get the remans anymore. They are to sell the new modual with the tank pump.
So I ordered the level sender, which is the wrong style must be for the new modual. so good luck. The tank took about an hour an half to drop with a 4wheeler jack. took forever to get the connectors off the fuel lines.

Marine

I think it is a connection doing that, but it may be the sender. I had to replace mine because it said I had fuel, and I ran out.
It was about 37.00.
I dropped the tank. The fuel lines are tricky- you have to compress the ends, then pull the line.
PM me if you want the P/N and exact price.

lgp9999

Thanks all!

wisemorn

I found this on another site sounds like cheaper and better fix than replacing the fuel sender all the time.

Fuel Sender Part #: 04797738, cost is reported to be in the neighborhood of $40. Expansion and contraction of the plastic tank can wear the pivot screw slot that allows up/down motion. If the screws were to stick at the upper portion of the slot, this effectively changes the pivot point elevation of the sending unit float, causing low fuel readings with half a tank of fuel. After repeated failures, some have begun experimenting to find a better fix. the 'sliding mechanism' that allows the pickup point to stay at the bottom of the fuel tank Here is one posted to the TurboDiesel mail list:

Subject: my fuel sending unit repair kit

Some time ago I posted my fix for the inadequately built fuel-sending unit for our Dodge Rams. I have assembled an instruction sheet and the parts I used to fix this. I am curious how many readers would like to obtain these kits. I can send you one for $3.00 postage and handling along with a self-addressed envelope. Just let me know and I will let you know where to send your request. Send email request to mudbone66@hotmail.com

Here is my suggested fix again if someone missed it.

Out of all the posts that I have read regarding the fuel tank-sending unit I was wondering if anyone has taken a look at its design. Mine went out and I replaced it myself, was not too hard to do. After I replaced it with an identically designed item I took the old one and found out what contributes to the failure of this part. I will try to explain it and a possible fix. The plastic pivot arm is held in place on the metal stem by a plastic tab on the rear edge that wears on the main body of the unit. This wear allows the contacts on the arm to leave the contact on the resistor that sends the signal to the gauge. Result is the fuel gauge no longer works.

Either the fuel tank must be removed or the bed of the truck needs to be moved back for access to the fuel tank module. The fuel lines are removed by pressing on the tabs of the connector while gently pulling on the fuel line. Both lines are removed this way. The connector stays on the line going into the module. They are different sizes so when you reinstall them they can not be crossed up. The electrical connector is removed by using a small screwdriver prying sideways and removing the red clip that locks it in place. On the front of the connector, the module side, there is a tab that needs to be pressed down to unlock the connector and then it is removed by pulling on the connector not the wires towards the frame. Remove the rubber hoses that go to the fuel filler neck and slide them up on the filler neck tube to get them out of the way. There are two nuts holding the fuel tank straps, remove these while supporting the tank with a floor jack or anything suitable. Slowly lower the tank and pull it from under the truck. The module can be removed by gently tapping on the ears of the retaining nut, with a hammer and punch, in a counterclockwise direction, making note of its position for reinstallation. Take care not to damage the rubber seal under the nut as in can be reused.

I noticed on the module, there are three screws that were showing some wear on the slots that attach the lower part to the upper part. I used three washers that would fit the shoulder of the screw to reattach the lower part to the upper part so it would not slide. I measured the nearly empty tank where the module is installed up to the neck where the retaining nut is including the rubber gasket and made the module the same length. My measurement was 14 5/16". I could not figure out why this needs to move up and down. In fact this caused a hole to be chaffed on the return line in the center of the module. Thank goodness it was not the pick-up line I would have had to replace the whole module $400 I think. With an empty tank the module will be touching the bottom of the tank but when the tank is full it will be pulled away with the weight of the fuel.

Now for the suggested repair action.
The plastic pivot arm has a center stem that extends above the outer body about 1/8". Remove the pivot arm by carefully prying between the main body and the rear part of the pivot arm where the tab is. Trim the top of the center stem of the pivot arm level with the outer body, with a sharp razor, taking care not to break it. While the arm is off you may want to gently bend the contacts out away from the arm as to allow for better contact with the resistor. Reinstall the pivot arm by carefully pressing it back on the metal stem make sure the holding tab is behind the tapered edge of the main body where it is held on. Place a Teflon washer on the metal stem with a P-nut, one of those push on washers that lock when installed. Make sure you push the P-nut down far enough to prevent the contacts from loosing its contact to the resistor, taking care not to allow the pivot arm to bind, you can use a small socket to do this. This will allow the weight of the float to be placed on the Teflon washer and P-nut instead of the tab on the rear part of the pivot arm. The metal stem diameter measures 3/32". The float arm can be easily removed from the pivot arm by pulling it away from the arm on the contact end and out over the center stem, then when done reinstall after you are done.

I would like to mention C. J. Johansson, which his suggestion was to manufacture a new pin and machine, threads on the top and use two nuts to lock the pivot arm down on the resistor. His pictures are very clear and show the center part of the pivot arm that I trim off.

Install the tank in the reverse order you removed it. Making sure the module-retaining nut is positioned in the same place it was removed from. Fill her up and check for leaks!

This should be a better fix than replacing a $42 dollar part each time your gauge quits.

Huey L. Conway, Jr.

From: Don Broadhead: Don.Broadhead@usa.alcatel.com
You really can fix it for about one dime!! I just did it and it works so far. The hardest thing is removing and replacing the tank. Did it alone.

Marine

I looked at mine when I replaced it, and had these instruction to fix it. I figured for 37.00, it wasn't worth it to fix a used one. I'm sure something else would wear out on it, anyways.