Fuel gauge stuck

[97ranger22bronco]

I replaced the fuel pump and sending unit on my '97 and noticed that the fuel gauge is still stuck on a bit half full, just like it was before the fuel pump replacement. I'm not familiar at all with troubleshooting something like this, what steps can I take knowing that there's a new float etc. in the tank?

 

[Bgunner]

Ground out the gauge, doing so the needle should swing all the way.
Check for continuity in the wires from the gauge to the tank. This will tell you if there is a bad wire.
Usually you can swing the sender and see the resistance change in the connection on top change but being in the tank now it will be difficult to check this.

Be sure all wires are attached to sender and connections are clean.
Make sure the ground from the sender to the frame is good.

 

[97ranger22bronco]

Ground out the gauge, doing so the needle should swing all the way.

Not to sounds like a complete idiot but how do I do this?

 

[832.3ranger]

I replaced the fuel pump and sending unit on my '97 and noticed that the fuel gauge is still stuck on a bit half full, just like it was before the fuel pump replacement. I'm not familiar at all with troubleshooting something like this, what steps can I take knowing that there's a new float etc. in the tank?

Is it possible that the float is hitting the side of the tank?

 

[Bgunner]

Not to sounds like a complete idiot but how do I do this?

2 ways.
1. You can ground the wire at the sending unit but this can be problematic if the wire is bad.
2. Pull instrument cluster and find the circuit for the fuel gage and connect it to ground. I do not know off the top of my head which connection is for the fuel gauge.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

2 ways.
1. You can ground the wire at the sending unit but this can be problematic if the wire is bad.
2. Pull instrument cluster and find the circuit for the fuel gage and connect it to ground. I do not know off the top of my head which connection is for the fuel gauge.

Had a '97 Escort wagon that liked to do the same thing. After the car got some miles on it, occasionally I'd find the fuel gauge stuck on half full. The cause was the connector working loose on the back of the instrument cluster. Snapping the connector back in place would fix the problem for a good while. Your Ranger is the same vintage, so check this first.