Gas gauge not accurate

CONFUSED DRIVER

MEMBER
1999 FORD EXPLORER
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

My gas gauge needle on the panel will not go to the full mark. It sits at 1/2 after I put gas in it. Typically when I am filling my tank the gas pump kicks off and I am still able to put in anywhere between $10.00 to $20.00 more worth of gas. I am unsure if I ever have a full tank. I do have a digital gas gauge panel in my car as well, I have a feeling that there may be something wrong with that as well because after I put gas in my car it will still say low fuel level then after letting it sit it will say that I have 70 miles to empty (used to be before issues, I could have a full tank and it would say 225 miles to empty). After driving it for about a week, it will go to 50 miles to empty and say low fuel then it will go up to 65 miles to empty. I have run out of gas before while sitting at a light with both of my young boys in the car due to this problem. Even then my gauge on my dash still said 14 tank.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Hi,

More than likely the float arm of the pump in the tank has sunk. This arm floats on top of the fuel level in the tank and tells the gauge how much fuel is in the tank by varying the resistance.

Here is a guide that will explain how to replace it and show a picture of the float arm on the pump:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Until this gets repaired, you will want to fill your tank until the fuel pump clicks off on its own, then calculate how many miles you have. Normally a vehicle can go over 400 miles on a tank of fuel but I would just top off your tank every 300-350 miles just to be sure you don't run out again, especially when you have your kids with you.

Let me know if you have questions about this and I will be happy to assist. Thanks

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