Fuel gauge fluctuates...never stays steady

[Lowered_92]

My fuel gauge recently started acting up in my 1992 Ranger. When I start the truck it goes way past full, then as I start driving It creeps down to empty...sometimes it stays there for a while & sometimes after 10-20 minutes of driving it will slowly creep back up to an estimated fuel level. I don't want to rely on a gauge that's acting up for my fuel level or have to reset my odometer every time I get gas....any clues?

 

[gungfudan]

I would check the ground on the back of your instrument cluster.

 

[Snoranger]

Sounds like you have a problem with the anti-slosh module.

 

[Lowered_92]

is there a way to test the module with an Ohm/volt meter?

 

[adsm08]

Not really. I do agree it sounds like an anti-slosh issue, so you need a cluster either way.




I'm not sure what the big deal about just hitting the little button and resetting the trip meter every time you tank up is though. I did it for 7 years to keep track of fuel and still do it so I can calculate economy.

 

[Snoranger]

I'm not sure what the big deal about just hitting the little button and resetting the trip meter every time you tank up is though. I did it for 7 years to keep track of fuel and still do it so I can calculate economy.

I've done this for pretty much every tank of gas I've ever gotten. After 17 years, you dont even think about it.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I stopped for a few months after I fixed my fuel gauge because I wanted to get the odometer and trip meter matched up. I ran it like that for a few thousand miles and then I realized I had no way to track economy and started resetting it again.

My grandmother on the other hand is terrified of messing something up by resetting it and "leaves that kind of thing to your (my) grandfather".

 

[Snoranger]

When we got rid of my wife's Nissan her trip odometer was almost the same as her actual odometer. (187K or so) From the day she bought it, it was never touched.

 

[Lowered_92]

Had some time to mess around with it today. I don't know If this is the proper testing procedure, but I figured I'd give it a shot.

I cleaned all connections, took some readings with an Ohm meter, then went on a test drive after putting everything back together. After I did all that the Gauge goes to 3/4 tank mark and stays there. So still, I may have fixed it, I may not have...I have no Idea yet. I'll keep an eye on it to see if it goes down as I put some mileage on the truck....keep you guys posted.

With anti slosh module in:

Key off I got 199.9 to 200.5 Ohms of resistance.

key on I got OFL

and when I started the truck the gauge read 3/4 of a tank.


With anti slosh module removed:

Key off I got .532 Ohms of resistance

key on I got OFL

and when I started the truck the gauge read way past full.

 

[Lowered_92]

And the anti-slosh module....is that not a small circuit board on the far right side of the gauge cluster? if so....why can't I just unclip that, buy a new module or get a salvaged one...clip that in and call it a day instead of getting an entire cluster?

 

[adsm08]

Eh, probably, I just try not to tear a bunch of stuff apart if I don't need to.

 

[Snoranger]

And the anti-slosh module....is that not a small circuit board on the far right side of the gauge cluster? if so....why can't I just unclip that, buy a new module or get a salvaged one...clip that in and call it a day instead of getting an entire cluster?

That should work.

 

[Lowered_92]

Issue seems to be resolved. Guessing it was just a bad ground on the back side of the gauge cluster. Cleaned all connections & works just fine now.