fuel gauge stuck on E

1970amx · 08-23-2008, 06:58 PM

I've got a '95 12valve 4X4 automatic. Since ive bought it about a year ago, the fuel gauge has been stuck on empty(E). When I bought it the previous owner told me that when the problem originally occured, he replaced the sending unit but it did not fix the problem. I've even filled the tank all the way but gauge is always on E and the fuel light is always on. Sometimes after the truck is started it takes a few seconds for it to but the gauge is always all the way down. I'm not sure if this is a common problem with these trucks or not. Just asking if anyone else had the same problem or if any one can help me with the issue. Any help is greatly appreciated.

***jonw2540*** · 08-23-2008, 07:19 PM

i'd say its still a bad sending unit for fuel level, he could have hit it or damaged it when he put it in the truck or plan just got a bad part (i.e. someone at a warehouse or delaership drops it). i changed mine cuz mine finally was always on E and the light was on, and mine works great. but just my 2 cents.
-Jon

__________________
97 2500 2wd, 12v,5 speed with stock clutch thanks to (calebs), #5 full forward, TST afc spring kit,S&B intake,500k!,boost installed and pyro, timing set to 17.5* thanks to TDI,FTE 100s,4KGSK, AIRDOG 150,DANA 80 4.10, new 64/71/12, haisley dv's, 5sp swap is complete!!,savin for clutch.big imput, and tranny rebuild ohhhh joy!!

Begle1 · 08-25-2008, 11:22 AM

The sender unit is a rheostat; there are two wires that go from the wire to the gauge, and the resistance in those wires changes as the float goes up and down. I think that one of the wires would just be a ground, since the tank is plastic and doesn't ground the sender any other way.

I don't know the ohm range on your sender; they're all different. Judging by this chart, it's 73 ohms empty and goes down to 8-12 ohms when it's full.

So to check the sender, you put your meter on those two sender wires and see if the resistance is in the 73-8 ohm range. It should change as the fuel lever changes.

Now, since it's reading empty, that strongly indicates an open between the sender line and the gauge. A wire came loose at some point.

__________________
The castrated, lobotomized thread previously known as the greatest thread in CF history.

I.B. Cummin · 08-25-2008, 11:24 AM

i had to change my sending unit, drop the tank and replace it. it sux but not too difficult

__________________
'98 12v 2wd 5sp man:#100 plate ff,4k gsk w/hd springs,aem HD,4"exh, ring-heat grid-cat-muff all gone, kdp tabed, etc,etc,etc. All work done by Diesel Nut Motorsports (Sac, Ca.)

Begle1 · 08-25-2008, 02:57 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot...

AMC WILL RISE AGAIN!!!

__________________
The castrated, lobotomized thread previously known as the greatest thread in CF history.

1970amx · 08-28-2008, 12:16 AM

thanks for all of your help. Remember the AMC AMX!!!

__________________
1995 2500 SLT 12valve. 47rh built by urs truely. tc switch. #100 plate. modified hx35 w/boost elbow. 4.10's and 37" goodyears. leveling kit. 5" black mitre. custom paint

08-23-2008, 06:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
1970amx Cummins Fan Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 94 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 1970amx's Truck Pics	fuel gauge stuck on E I've got a '95 12valve 4X4 automatic. Since ive bought it about a year ago, the fuel gauge has been stuck on empty(E). When I bought it the previous owner told me that when the problem originally occured, he replaced the sending unit but it did not fix the problem. I've even filled the tank all the way but gauge is always on E and the fuel light is always on. Sometimes after the truck is started it takes a few seconds for it to but the gauge is always all the way down. I'm not sure if this is a common problem with these trucks or not. Just asking if anyone else had the same problem or if any one can help me with the issue. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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08-23-2008, 07:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
*jonw2540* Cummins Nut Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: indy Posts: 363 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts jonw2540's Truck Pics	i'd say its still a bad sending unit for fuel level, he could have hit it or damaged it when he put it in the truck or plan just got a bad part (i.e. someone at a warehouse or delaership drops it). i changed mine cuz mine finally was always on E and the light was on, and mine works great. but just my 2 cents. -Jon __________________ 97 2500 2wd, 12v,5 speed with stock clutch thanks to (calebs), #5 full forward, TST afc spring kit,S&B intake,500k!,boost installed and pyro, timing set to 17.5* thanks to TDI,FTE 100s,4KGSK, AIRDOG 150,DANA 80 4.10, new 64/71/12, haisley dv's, 5sp swap is complete!!,savin for clutch.big imput, and tranny rebuild ohhhh joy!!

08-25-2008, 11:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Begle1 Diesel Head Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Capo Beach, California Posts: 3,406 Thanks: 3 Thanked 132 Times in 71 Posts Begle1's Truck Pics	The sender unit is a rheostat; there are two wires that go from the wire to the gauge, and the resistance in those wires changes as the float goes up and down. I think that one of the wires would just be a ground, since the tank is plastic and doesn't ground the sender any other way. I don't know the ohm range on your sender; they're all different. Judging by this chart, it's 73 ohms empty and goes down to 8-12 ohms when it's full. So to check the sender, you put your meter on those two sender wires and see if the resistance is in the 73-8 ohm range. It should change as the fuel lever changes. Now, since it's reading empty, that strongly indicates an open between the sender line and the gauge. A wire came loose at some point. __________________ The castrated, lobotomized thread previously known as the greatest thread in CF history.

08-25-2008, 11:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
I.B. Cummin Cummins Fan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nor-Cal Posts: 95 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts I.B. Cummin's Truck Pics	i had to change my sending unit, drop the tank and replace it. it sux but not too difficult __________________ '98 12v 2wd 5sp man:#100 plate ff,4k gsk w/hd springs,aem HD,4"exh, ring-heat grid-cat-muff all gone, kdp tabed, etc,etc,etc. All work done by Diesel Nut Motorsports (Sac, Ca.)

08-25-2008, 02:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Begle1 Diesel Head Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Capo Beach, California Posts: 3,406 Thanks: 3 Thanked 132 Times in 71 Posts Begle1's Truck Pics	Oh yeah, I forgot... *AMC WILL RISE AGAIN!!!* __________________ The castrated, lobotomized thread previously known as the greatest thread in CF history.

08-28-2008, 12:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
1970amx Cummins Fan Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 94 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts 1970amx's Truck Pics	thanks for all of your help. Remember the AMC AMX!!! __________________ 1995 2500 SLT 12valve. 47rh built by urs truely. tc switch. #100 plate. modified hx35 w/boost elbow. 4.10's and 37" goodyears. leveling kit. 5" black mitre. custom paint