Fuel system

Tiny
ERIC MCLEOD
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,000 MILES
Had my fuel pump replaced today. Before this, my gauge wasn't working and I had to use my trip odometer to tell how much gas I have, resetting it every fill-up. The guy at the dealer that replaced it, assured me this would make the gauge start back to working. Not the case. When I turn the key, I see the needle move a tad bit and then go right back to where it was, past the E. Any research I've done and advice I've gotten says the last option would be tear out the dash and replace the instrument cluster. Am I in for a while new project?
Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:14 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Hi Eric,

When they replaced the pump, did they verify power to the sender at the fuel pump module?

Roy
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
ERIC MCLEOD
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
I guess, apparently the tank was empty. And they only put 5 gallons in it and they said it moved. But wouldn't 5 gallons put the needle well past E? He said they tested it and the truck ran fine. I'm going to call them in the morning and find out what the deal is. I sure hope it isn't the cluster.
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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It sounds like the cluster. I attached the diagram for you to view.

The power comes from the gauge. They did not do the correct test. They should have disconnected the connector and the gauge should have gone to full fill or empty. Then they should ground the power and it should sweep full the other way. That is how you test the gauge.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
ERIC MCLEOD
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Okay, I will task them with this tomorrow. This should have been done after the pump was replaced right? To make sure there's no other issues.
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Correct. It would have taken them less than 10 minutes to check.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
ERIC MCLEOD
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
I'll be sure and let you know how it went.
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Sounds good.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
Here is a short video of a faulty sending unit that I removed from a 2013 F-150. The specification is generally fifteen to one hundred and fifty (15-150) ohms. You can see at the top of the sweep the ohms are all over the place. The Ford scan tool can actually do a gauge test by going to the cluster module parameters and select (FLI) fuel level input parameter in active mode and go up and down by ten percent, the gauge should respond, it's literally a 5 minute test! I do it every time I have a gauge concern before I pull out a fuel sending unit!
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
ERIC MCLEOD
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
It needed to be replaced anyway, but I don't know why it hadn't been tested. Unless they did and didn't say anything to me. Now, on to a more In depth project of the cluster.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Keep us updated.

Roy
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 4:19 PM

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