Fuel gauge not working properly, it always shows half full

MATT PRICE

MEMBER
2000 FORD RANGER
3.0L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
152,000 MILES

My son went off to college and left me his truck. He said that the gas gauge does not work any more and it's stuck on half a tank, well, he's right.

I have replaced the Fuel Pump with the Sender Unit, checked the grounds in the rear, put a new cluster in it, and have re-grounded the ground wire.

What happens if I take the connector out of the back of the instrument cluster that controls that side of the cluster, the fuel level pegs full over to the other side.

When I plug it back in, it goes to full. And when I shut the motor off and restart, it goes to half a tank.

With three fuel pumps, and taking them out and testing them - it's not the float. So, anyone have any ideas? I have no idea at this point in where to look to start doing PD.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Based on your description, there is an existent short that is completed when you reconnect the gauge.

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To get started, I need you to go through the following flow charts for diagnosing the issue. See if this helps.

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2000 Ford Truck Ranger 2WD V6-3.0L VIN U
Test A: Incorrect Fuel Gauge Indication
Vehicle Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators Testing and Inspection Pinpoint Tests Pinpoint Tests - Instrument Cluster Test A: Incorrect Fuel Gauge Indication
TEST A: INCORRECT FUEL GAUGE INDICATION
A1 (part 1 Of 2)

pic 1

A1 (Part 2 Of 2)

pic 2

A2 - A4

pic 3

A5

pic 4

A6

pic 5

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Let me know if this helps.

Joe

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