Fuel level sender

My fuel guage is reading at E all of the time now, would this be a result of a faulty fuel level sender? The guage is operating because when I turn the car off the needle goes down below E but when I turn the car on the needle only goes up to E. Also if this is the problem has anyone ever cut through the trunk instead of pulling the gas tank down or would that not be a good idea?

The sending unit is probably not making good contact all the way through its sweep. I have had two TCs with the same problem. Don't try to go through the trunk. It is a very easy job to change the sending unit. Take a small wire brush and clean the threads on the bolts that hold the tank straps. Spray them with WD-40, or something equivalent. Do the same to the bolt that secures the tank fill pipe to the tank.
Then put a floor jack under the tank and remove the bolts. Lower the tank to a point where you can get at the sending unit. Clean the locking ring area with your wire brush. Blow off all the dirt and rust from the sending unit area. Hit the locking ring with a little penetrating oil and remove and replace it. The whole process can be done in under an hour. Make sure the tank is low on fuel and you can do this without spilling any fuel. If you need a working sending unit, I have one for $20, plus shipping. I think you can still get them from Ford for ~$135. To verify that it is the sending unit, remove its connector and jumper between the two terminals. Turn the key on and the dash gage should read full.

Hawk

[This message has been edited by Hawk (edited 11-08-2002).]

The sending unit will run you about $90.00 at a ford dealer. If you have fuel in the tank you can either run it dry or take the line off your Fuelfilter put into a gas container & turn on the key & let the pump drain the tank for you. After the tank is dry it should take about 2hrs, if you are slow, to swap the sending unit. Easier work than cutting the floor & trying to patch it up. While it is down it is also a good time to think about swapping the pump unless you are sure it is running GREAT. If you have a question about the pump it is too cheap an item to over look while you already have the tank down.

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L8R
Mitch

cool thanks for the help. In the mean time does someone know how many miles I can get with a full tank of gas before I run out. I had this problem with my truck and I used to go to get gas like every other day but if I know how many miles I can get it would make it a little easier till I can get around to fixing it. Hawk I'll send yo a PM hopefully on Monday about the sender if you still wanna sell it then. Thanks

Originally posted by cartman:
The sending unit will run you about $90.00 at a ford dealer. If you have fuel in the tank you can either run it dry or take the line off your Fuelfilter put into a gas container & turn on the key & let the pump drain the tank for you. After the tank is dry it should take about 2hrs, if you are slow, to swap the sending unit. Easier work than cutting the floor & trying to patch it up. While it is down it is also a good time to think about swapping the pump unless you are sure it is running GREAT. If you have a question about the pump it is too cheap an item to over look while you already have the tank down.

Forgot to mention that you have to ground the FP test terminal on the EEC test connector to pump out the tank.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)