Fuel gauge not working

[rt4x4]

My stepson just bought a 1990 range 4cyl ,5-speed in really good condition,the only problem is the fuel gaug in not working,when ignition is off the gauge read 1/4 tank,when ign on it stays on empty, what could be causing the problem, Thanks for any help.

 

[Insanejughead]

I had this happen to me after a tree next to my truck got struck by lightning.

Take out the gauge cluster and replace the removable chip behind the fuel gauge. You can't miss it.

Also, you can just replace the entire cluster with another cluster from a pickup with the same engine. If you get one with a tachometer, it will need to be from another four-cylinder.

 

[swynx]

Not to hijack but my guage also reads nearly a 1/4 fuller when the truck is off. Any one know why?

I would also replace that guage first as its easier than pulling the bed. But maybe the float is stuck. Hopefully your bed bolts aren't to rusted. Some people snap them off. I got lucky and didn't have any problems with a cheater bar

 

[Insanejughead]

Swynx, that's just how these gauges work. When there's no electricity flowing through it, the needle will just find a "spot" to rest. It's built to do that, so don't worry.

 

[BLOODBANE]

Take the wires coming out of the tank loose. Clean the contacts coming out of the tank as best you can (should be two post. It will be a PITA, but do the best you can). Clean the wires and ends up (piece you took off the tank). Use a little die-electric grease an put it all back together. A lot of times the contacts get corroded and the signal gets FUBAR.

 

[Decoy]

My stepson just bought a 1990 range 4cyl ,5-speed in really good condition,the only problem is the fuel gaug in not working,when ignition is off the gauge read 1/4 tank,when ign on it stays on empty, what could be causing the problem, Thanks for any help.

100% what's happening to me. it's not a matter of the needle just resting as it's a full tank that show's 1/4 tank when the truck is off. it will then sink down to "E" when you start it up......turn it off, it rises back up to 1/4 tank.

is it the chip on the back of the gauges as mentioned in the thread? if so, any idea what it's called so i can look for a replacement?

 

[tmcalavy]

Before you rip shitz apart, test the gauge. There's a thread on here that tells you how by just grounding one of the wires. If the gauge does a full sweep, gauge is OK.

 

[90longbed]

mine does that too..... I ran out of gas once(luckly I was able to coast into a gas station) and after putting gas in it it read the actual fuel level..... for about 5 minutes... then it slowly sank down to E....soon as I have money to do it, I am gonna replace the sending unit and pump at the same time....if I am in there I might as well do it.... no sense pulling the bed back off later when the pump fails

 

[Decoy]

Before you rip **** apart, test the gauge. There's a thread on here that tells you how by just grounding one of the wires. If the gauge does a full sweep, gauge is OK.

Cool. I'll try to find that thread. If anyone runs across it first, a link would be very helpful. Thanks.


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