Gas gauge does not work?

Tiny
GEORGE KYRIAZIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 20,500 MILES
I changed the Fuel Pump, was told maybe pump sending unit. Gas Gauge still not working with new Fuel Pump. Changed the Dash cluster (w/tach), now ABS Brake light is on, and Gas gauge still not working. I'm lost, not sure what to do next. I've got a new Fuel Pump, new Dash Instrument Cluster, and not only does the fuel gauge not work, but now the ABS brake light is on "HELP PLEASE"!
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Friday, December 25th, 2009 AT 12:27 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
First of all, the ABS light circuit is monitored by the ABS computer. If you turned on the ignition switch while the cluster was removed, there will be a diagnostic fault code in memory and the light will be on. You will have to find a mechanic with the Chrysler DRB2 or DRB3 scanner that can access the ABS computer to read and erase the fault code. There are a few aftermarket scanners that can do this now too.

How, (and why), did you replace the fuel pump? If the engine was running, you didn't need a pump. Many aftermarket pumps are just the pump and motor that you will have to stick in the housing. This has nothing to do with the gauge sending unit.

The easiest way to troubleshoot this circuit is to ground the dark blue wire with yellow stripe at the pump electrical connector, then turn on the ignition switch. If the fuel gauge goes to full, the sending unit or one of the ground wires in the connector is the problem. The most common problem is an intermittent connection on the float arm but the typical symptom is the gauge goes to empty when the fuel level is between 1/2 and 1/4. It usually reads correctly above 1/2 tank and below about 1/4 tank. The fix is to simply pop the float arm off and bend the contact a little, then snap it back on.

Caradiodoc
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Friday, December 25th, 2009 AT 11:31 PM
Tiny
95 GREEN DAKOTA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had a problem with my 95 Dakota gas gauge. At first I thought it was the tank sensor but after changing it, no difference. I took apart the dash and could find nothing wrong. I found some loose grounds and that still didn't fix the problem. So I began to look for electrical problems in the wires. On the 95 Dakota, the brake light has a middle brake light in the tail gate. That electrical connection over time would get caught between the body and the tail gate and crack the outer casing so that the connection became exposed. Every time that I would press the brakes the connection would begin to get hot and melt the wires in the harness that goes to the brake lights. Those wires run through the same harness as the gas gauge. Over time the wires began to melt the coating on all the wires in the harness. So sometime the gas gauge would work and some times not. I found the problem right where the wires for the gas tank leave the harness and head toward the gas tank. I disconnected the rear middle brake light, and then I repaired the wires in the harness and now my gas gauge works fine. Don't know if this is your problem but it's worth a look.
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Friday, February 24th, 2017 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Hey,

Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out on the site whenever it can add information that will help.

Best, Ken
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
DCBIRTCH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Other Category problem
1995 Dodge Dakota 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 130000 miles

I recently purchased a used '95 Dodge Dakota ext. Cab 4x4. The person I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge had quit working: it reads just below 1/4 tank even when tank is full, as tank empties below 1/4 tank then the gauge seems to work - kinda.
Is the problem the sending unit within the tank which would require me to replace the tank?
Or is it a simple fix like replacing a fuse or the gauge itself?

Thanks, Dave
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDYDFW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I used to own a 1995 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9L V-6. It had 230k miles on it when I sold it. Anyway mine had the same problen when I got it from my father-n-law. I replaced the sending unit. When you buy it it will be the fuel pump, the sending unit and the fuel filter all in one. You have to drop the fuel tank off the truck and just replace the fuel unit.

Good Luck With It,
Darren
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LADYCHEV57
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
1997 Dodge Dakota V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

We just purchased this truck about 3 months ago. The gas gauge is not working correctly. If the tank is full of gas the gauge will move at random. If you hit a bump or shake the truck the gauge moves. The low fuel light also comes on at random all the time even if the tank is full. It will show empty and the low gas light flashes and you hear the low gas warning beep. What can the problem be? It is so frustrating never knowing how much gas you have left in the tank. I'm always putting in gas every few days to be on the safe side cuz I didn't want to go thru the trouble & expense of replacing the tank. Thanx for all your help in advance.
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
THe float level gauge in the fuel tank is bad. It has a rheostat that goes bad. THe bad part is the float gauge is part of the fuel pump and is replaced as a unit which means you need a new fuel pump too even though it works fine.

You need to either remove the fuel tank to access it or remove the bed. I personally remove the bed. THere are 8 bolts that hold it on and then you need to unplug the wiring to the tail lights and the bed comes off. Even though there are only two bolts holding the tank in, they are usually rusted and difficult to get out.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
M500AG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Joe

I have a 97 V6 Dakota with a 260 + m. On it, works good so far, same engine and transmission, I have the same problem, every 30 seconds I hear the annoying beep-beep ! Sometimes show empty, but is not, once I filled up full and it works just fine. I just want to get rid of the speaker o whatever it is that makes the beep, I think comes from the globe compartment area not sure how can I find it?
And also do I really need to replace the float level gauge? And the fuel pump? How much it cost? I'm thinking just selling it before another big thing comes out.
Thank you for your help!
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
I hate to say it, but the fuel pump and float are one unit. Honestly, there are 8 bolts that hold the bed on the truck. I can have one off in 30 minutes. Once the bolts are off, all you have to do is disconnect the wiring to the tail lights and lift off the bed with a helper. That exposes the fuel tank and pump. It is easy to replace. One other thing, there are three screws that hold the filler tube to the bed. They need removed also for the bed to come off. The pump is around 150.00 at most parts stores. Maybe even less. That is my recommendation. NOTE: It is actually easier to remove the bed than it is to pull the tank. The retaining bolts on the tank straps are usually rusted and break. Also, the tank is heavy. Plus, it is made of plastic and is easy to crack if not positioned correctly when reinstalling. Trust me. I've done enough of them. Just remove the bed, replace the pump, and your problems will be solved.
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
M500AG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks ! I would do that. How heavy is the bed? Can two guys handle it? For now I really need to get rid of the annoying 'beep' it drives me nuts man! Where is the speaker or whatever it is that make that noise, I can hear coming from the globe compartment area, but can't find it may be removing the passenger airbag? But I'm afraid to touch it in case.
Thanks a lot have a great day!
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DARSTAR39
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 18,600 MILES
The gas gauge don't work, engine v6 3.9litre,
how I can find out to make it work?
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
What does it do?
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONNAGRESKO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'm not an expert but I had a similar experience with the fuel gauge not working in my 92 Dakota. I got a floor jack with a 2x6 board (approximately the length of my fuel tank) and with the help of two friends, centered the board and floor jack underneath my gas tank. After disconnecting fuel lines and spout from the tank, we disconnected the tank straps and very carefully lowered the gas tank out of the truck. After taking the tank out, we inspected the fuel pump which is on top of the tank. I was fortunate, in the sense that the fuel pump was in good condition. However, whoever installed the pump previously had not put the fuel pump in the correct position. Because of this, the float of the fuel pump was resting in a down position constantly and my fuel gauge was reading no fuel.
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARTINEZMARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,400 MILES
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Dodge Dakota V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 124, 00 miles

MY 97 DODGE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Chances are the rheostat on the float is bad. This is a common problem. The bad part. It is part of the fuel pump and has to be replaced as a unit and it is in the fuel tank.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Sunday, February 26th, 2017 AT 7:25 PM (Merged)

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