Fuel Hand Issue

[Buzzard]

So my fuel hand is not reading properly. I have replaced the fuel pump and sending unit, there is a new computer installed behind the passenger side kick panel. I’ve replaced the fuel relay. My instrument Cluster works fine as far as I can tell but idk what’s going on. All I know is that I can fill the tank up completely and after about 30-40miles of travel I’m showing a level of half a tank which I know can’t be right, does anyone have an idea of anything I could try to fix this issue? Many thanks in advance for any help offered!!!

 

[Bgunner]

While probably not the right way you can bend the float arm up on the sending unit to help even it out a bit. Another option is to try to replace the gauge itself in the cluster.

Having the gauge off isn't a really bad thing because you get used to it. My tank reads 1/4 tank when I have a half tank of fuel.

 

[Curious Hound]

Could be the sending unit. Could also be an issue with the gauge cluster. I believe there is a low voltage power supply for the sending unit that resides in the gauge cluster. @RonD probably has better info.

 

[Buzzard]

While probably not the right way you can bend the float arm up on the sending unit to help even it out a bit. Another option is to try to replace the gauge itself in the cluster.

Having the gauge off isn't a really bad thing because you get used to it. My tank reads 1/4 tank when I have a half tank of fuel.

I hand a shop local to me install the new pump and sending unit. I may have to take it back to them and check there work.

 

[RonD]

1988 was the last year Rangers used the Old Ford gas gauge and sender, just FYI
73 ohms Empty
10 ohms Full

1989 and up use
16 ohms Empty
158 ohms Full

So they didn't use the wrong sender or when you filled it up it would have shown way below EMPTY

I think gauge would not work at all if the power supply was bad
It could be the sender has a flaw, an area of higher resistance, which causes the gauge to drop suddenly when float moves it to a certain point
Only way to test would be to have the key on and move the float manually, and slowly, thru its ARC, there is a built-in DELAY for sender movement, this keeps the gauge from going up and down when you go around a corner and gas sloshes around in the tank and float goes up and down accordingly, lol
So move float arm and watch the gauge

 

[superj]

but the trip meter still works so every time you refill it, hit the trip reset. than when you get around 200 miles, start looking for a gas station.

thats how i had to do my 98 b2300. worked for a little over 200k miles of driving

 

[Curious Hound]

but the trip meter still works so every time you refill it, hit the trip reset. than when you get around 200 miles, start looking for a gas station.

thats how i had to do my 98 b2300. worked for a little over 200k miles of driving

I used to do that with my 88 F150. Dual tanks and eventually, neither sender worked right.

 

[sgtsandman]

Since you had a shop do the work, I would take it back to the shop. A quality shop would warranty their work.