1999 Ford Escort Fuel Gauge Not Working

FORD ESCORT
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SAVAGEGEO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
1999 ford escort zx2. 120,000 miles fuel gauge just stopped working one day . i thought it might be the fuel pump, but the fuel pump works fine. my friend pulled out the fuel gauge, and tested it and it was fine also but when we put it back in the car it would not work do you have any ideas what the problem might be?
Aug 18, 2006 at 5:28 PM
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NOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 320 POSTS
does it go to past full in the car or just not register at all.? you can't just hook power up to a fuel guage they have what is called an amplifier built into the insterment cluster that controls the guage direct power to guage resualts in burn out of guage. if guage is pegged past full check ground to the fuel module which is is the unit at the tank. (NOS)
Aug 20, 2006 at 4:45 AM
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SAVAGEGEO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
thank you i will try this and let you know if it works
Aug 20, 2006 at 7:08 AM
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Suggested Repair

Do not apply direct power to the fuel gauge, because the instrument cluster amplifier controls it and direct power can burn it out. Note whether the gauge pegs past full or does not register. If it pegs past full, check the ground to the fuel module at the tank.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1999 Ford Escort ZX2 reported that the fuel gauge suddenly stopped working. The fuel pump operated normally, and a removed fuel gauge tested fine but still did not work after reinstallation. The expert asked whether the gauge pegs past full or shows no reading, warned that applying direct power can damage the gauge because the cluster amplifier controls it, and advised checking the fuel-module ground at the tank if the gauge is pegged past full. The owner said they would try that.

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