Got 2 issues that im stumped on with my 94 4.0

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

as the title says, i have a 94 xlt 4.0 that i use daily for work. starts and runs incredible for having 303,000 miles.
first issue is it seems to have a stutter both right when its started and put into gear, and also right when i start moving from a red light. not huge, but it does shake the truck a little bit... no CEL or codes.
ive cleaned the MAF, and IAT. but not sure where else i should look?

second question is on the fuel gauge.
it almost always shows WAY past full. sometimes after about 100 miles of driving on the tank itll dance around half tank but then go right back up way past full. when the tank is pretty much empty itll show 1/4 tank.
any ideas? thanks in advance!

 

[RonD]

Check your fan clutch to see if it wobbles, engine off
I had a bad one in my 1994 4.0l and it cause a shudder starting off but also at RPMs above 3,000, Manual trans
Automatic could be torque converter issue as well


1989 and up Rangers use sender and gauge with
16 ohms when EMPTY
160 ohms when FULL

This means a corroded connection(high ohms/resistance) would tend to show Full all the time
Anti-slosh module on the back of cluster can do that as well

The sender in the tank has a yellow/white wire that runs to the gauge and also a ground wire that runs to the frame, corrosion on either can cause the high readings
If you do pull the cluster then you can test the yellow/white wire directly, should show between 16 and 160 ohms, then rock the truck to get gas in the tank moving around, you should see the ohms going up and down but within the 16 to 160 range
This would mean wiring and sender/float are OK

So issue is most likely the anti-slosh module which can be repaired or bypassed

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Sounds like it might all be same problem(s), as in the stutter and fuel gauge issues are being caused by your fuel pump/sending unit. Maybe clogged fuel injectors or bad pressure regulator. Has any of that stuff been recently replaced? My gut says its fuel system related...

Oh and if its a manual trans then it might just be clutch chatter.

 

[Curious Hound]

Most likely 2 different issues. RonD gave you the info to troubleshoot the fuel gauge/sender. If it was a fuel pump issues, you would probably lose power at high rpm or times of load on the engine.

I was definitely thinking clutch chatter for the vibration issue.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Yea, I am much more of a throw-parts-at-it guy than RonD...He's one of those guys that does things the right way.

 

[RonD]

Another way of saying I am CHEAP

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

It’s not a clutch issue as it’s an auto. It started happening about a month ago and the stutter is seen on the tach also if that’s at all important

also thanks for the help on the fuel gauge. I’m gonna bypass the antislosh unit and see what happens.

 

[RonD]

Check the yellow/white wire first, while cluster is out

Also replace the 6 back light bulbs while cluster is out, lol
I think they are 194s

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

All the bulbs still work!

 

[rumblecloud]

Guaranteed they won't when you put the cluster back in

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

Well thanks for jinxing it

 

[RonD]

Not a jinx, just always happens

 

[SenorNoob]

Murphy's Law anybody?

 

[bobbywalter]

What driveshaft setup?