Gas gauge and lighter

Tiny
DORIANE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
My gas gauge and the lighter are not working properly. The gauge sometimes shows half full when the tank has one gallon, and the lighter works only when I force it in and hold it. While I was holding in the lighter the gauge changed the level it was showing. Could they be on the same circuit? What would fixing them entail and how much should it cost?
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 AT 11:09 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok the lighter is not on the same curcuit they are seperate. As for the lighter it is bad and you should replace it that is why you need to hold it to work. The gas guage may be that the sender is no good in the tank. If you have a digital multi meter we can do a test or two and verify that. Let me know what you would like to do. Thanks.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
DORIANE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have considered that the sensor in the tank is malfunctioning. I want it fixed as well and economically as possible. No, I do not have a digital multi-meter.

Thanks for whatever info you can give me.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 12:46 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Can you borrow a digital multi meter? I need to know what ohms are at the tank sending unit to help with this problem.

Heres a guide to help in case you dont know how to use a meter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter
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Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
ZIGGYSPRINCESS76
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 190,000 MILES
How can I fix a digital gas gauge that is not reading properly such as the miles left, after I fuel up, it could say 150 miles and I could drive 22 miles home and gauge will say 0 miles left when I arrive.I have no idea how much gas is actually in the car on a 96 Lincoln town car signature series?
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You haveto see if power is going to sending unit then ground the wire and see if the gauge goes up if it doesn then it's the sending unit no the gauge. Otherwise it may be a dash problem an dneeds to be rebuilt.
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGYSPRINCESS76
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Stupid question I'm sure, I apologize in advance but how do I check to see if power is getting to the sending unit and how do I ground the wire to see if the gauge goes up? I am sure my husband probably knows but I'd like to understand too. Hope that makes sense.
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It will have to be disconnect at the tank or if you have a test light you can probe the yellow/white wire back by the tank if you get a dim light it is reading then see if gauge goes up. You need the key on for this. An d someone will have to read the gauge.
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCOTTAC49
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
The gas guage in my 93' LINCOLN TOWN CAR does not register for at least 25 miles or so after putting gas in it. Once is finally does register its ok. Anyone else ever had that problem with there TOWN CAR? I appreciate any info. Thx
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
It's probably a bad sender in the tank but it would have to be tested during the period that it's not working.
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Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)

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