Ok, so my gauge said 1/8 full, light had come on for about 5 miles and then BLAH, ran outta fuel! This gauge had done this to me before but not this bad. I was a lot closer to the "E" last time but I have run it pretty low (I know, not good) in the past and it didn't run out. I put in almost 4 gallons from a fuel jug, took it to the gas station and the pump was still pumping at 29.43 gal (only put in 50.00 so the pump shut off) so I know it WAS outta fuel. How do I approach the dealer for this as far as warranty goes? I have an aftermarket warranty good to 100,000 miles and I have about 49,000 on the ticker.
I don't want to be dealing with not knowing where my fuel level is and having to be overly cautious and refilling at 1/2 tank.

 

I've never ever relied on the fuel gauge as my sole source of how much fuel I have remaining. Keeping on eye on your trip meter is far better and will give you a faster indication of how much fuel you have.

As far as taking it back to the dealer for this issue, I don't think you're going to get anywhere. There are quite a few variables that will affect the gauge reading and it will rarely be accurate once you're that low.

 

my gauge has never worked
i also use my trip meter as TomW stated

 

Dodge has had "1/4 tank syndrome" since the early to mid 90's. I've replaced quite a few sending units for this problem. I'm leary of the reading and always use my trip meter to verify mileage. I had a run of them at work in the last couple of months. I think I did like four of them ranging from 96 to 01. Funny you had this prob, I almost posted on this subject for people to watch out for this.

 

Lock out the slide mechanism in the tank and the gage will always read the same.

 

Or just run a transfer tank with a sight glass.

 

I may be totaly wrong here ,but I have heard that when the pump cuts off you should stop and not try to "top it off",
because it pushes the float up to far causing it to get bent or to
hang up causing it to give a false reading, because it does not return all the way back down. Just my 2cents.

 

Once you take one apart (been doing a lot of that lately ) you will find that this myth has no bases of possibility.

 

What about filling up with the high flow truck stop pumps,
and the rumor that it leads to failure's of the sending units?


phox

 

I can only remember filling with a low pressure hose three or four times. Back at around 100,000 the gage was acting up, changed it, no problems since. I run the nozzle as fast as the tank will take it and mine is short so that is usually just about full on.

 

I would certainly think your fuel light should allow for more than a 5 mile scurry for fuel before you run out. I know my pickup allows me at least another 50 miles or so, after the low fuel idiot light comes on. When approaching the dealer you might turn this into a safety issue. Nobody should be left stranded like that! Also as numerous other members have suggested, learn your trucks mileage ranges. Loaded empty and an average in between. Use that trip-ometer I rely more on that than a fuel gauge. Back in the day I drove a big truck and them things NEVER had a fuel gauge that actually worked, I learned my first trip out to "stick the tanks" that was the only safe way to know your fuel levels.

 

HID is right here. Full is full and empty is empty. the float goes up and down. There is no " to high". Also. have you ever thought of using the odometer. My gauge died 4 years ago and I just watch the odometer and when it gets to 500 miles, empty, it's time to fill up. Now towing is another story. About 320 miles there. I dropped the tank once to change the sender but could't get the hoses off. Put it back up and been doing it this way for 190K miles.

..Preston..

 

When it went nuts, I pulled mine, fiddled with it, and put it back in, installing the float backwards. I then put a new one in there and all has been well since.
The dealer won't warranty it, but as far as the aftermarket warranty is concerned, I say go for it. Keep your deductable in mind since the sender only costs about 40.00. If you aren't mechanically inclined, or you don't want to mess with it, then it doesn't matter.

Chris

 

That happened to a friend of mine and the dealer replaced the sending unit under warranty. I would at lease try, all they can so is say no. Bring it up to them as you were stranded. I would call Chrysler direct and ask what exactly is covered under your warranty. Good luck.

-Kyle

 

My sending unit has been out for about 40k and I bought a new one. Tried to install it and I was unable to drop the gas tank. One of the straps was hanging up the the threads. I tried until my hands hurt and the sun went down. Finally gave up. I am now considering taking the bed off to get access to the top of the gas tank. No too excited about that.

The one thing that kills me though is the stupid light on the dash that is always on and the fact that I have to cover it up with a piece of paper. I try to keep my truck running and looking good so this little detail is always starring me in the face (literally and figuratively).

It sounds like enough people have done it before so if anyone has any suggestions for me I would appreciate it.