Fuel Sensor Failure - 2017 Ram 1500

[BlackBetty2017]

Well I finally threw a code for fuel sensor failure. My fuel gauge would intermittently drop to E once I hit 1/2 tank. Never threw a code until this week. Took it into the dealership only to have them take over 24 hrs to diagnose even with a code... $550 + tax, parts and labor included (same ****** OEM fuel sending unit). After looking around online, seems many vehicles get this error and Sea Foam or Techron (black bottle) seems to clear it up in some cases due to sulfur build up from ****** gasoline.

Anyone else have luck with this DIY method? My truck is just over 3 yrs old with 44k miles... kick in teeth to have this component fail so soon.

 

[PoMansRam]

Ugh.. I feel for ya.

I think 2017 is the newest I've read of with level sensor failure. Did the dealer replace the whole fuel pump/sending unit? If so, $550+ tax is the cheapest I've read of in years.

The gas station closest to my house has had "top tier fuel" labeling for years and is mostly what I've been using for my Rams. My 2017 made it to ~60K miles w/out failure. My 2019 classic is too new yet.

 

[392DevilDog]

I tired the techron on mine. It did not work.

I have been driving mine now for 40000 plus miles without it.

Just use my trip meter and become oblivious to the gas light.

And even though I like the MDS...i dont have to worry about it no more.

I thought I was gonna have to get it fixed for inspection...but the mechanic passed it since he knew it wasnt affecting anything

 

[ram1500rsm]

My dealer wanted $1300 to fix the issue.i drove for a couple of months with the damn thing dancing from full to empty until one day it stopped working for good. That’s when I decided to take the truck to my local shop and they slapped a new Mopar fuel pump for me. I think it ended up paying about $500 or so out of the door.

 

[Tim Garceau]

$70 assembly from Amazon with a more robust (ethanol kills the OEM) sender and increased GPM fuel pump.

~2 hours to drop the tank

 

[Michael]

My truck is just over 3 yrs old with 44k miles... kick in teeth to have this component fail so soon.

So soon? Mine failed before 20k miles. The dealership replaced it and I got a half a mile away from the dealership before the new one failed. I would go with an aftermarket unit over oem to replace yours. Oem is low quality.

 

[Steepdgaf]

Had same issue on my 2015. Fuel additives did nothing for me unfortunately. Wouldn't replace with OEM, they haven't fixed the issue and I didn't feel like replacing it again but that's my opinion. Ordered a Delphia from Rock Auto for $200. It showed up yday, I dropped the tank today and replaced the pump. Took me a total of 3 hours in the driveway while taking my time so I didn't break anything, would've went faster with help.

 

[Tach_tech]

I highly doubt someone looked at your truck for 24hrs, maybe at the shop for that long but it’s common enough it probably took less than 1/2hr for the to diagnose.

Both the pump and level sending units are a common failure. The part number has changed a couple times though, wether or not it’s actually been upgraded is hard to say.

 

[Slotcop]

My 2017 1500 is at dealer right now. 4th time, same issue, same part. The scary thing is the contact sweep contacts get a burn mark on it and this is in a fuel tank. I called ram care prior to the service appt. what a mistake. They are using me as the Guinea pig and put a star case hold grounding order on my truck. Today Ram requested techs tested every possible ground, tested voltage and amperage to many wires and check for alterations or modifications etc etc. very poor design and if and when they ok the job I’m getting the same fuel module replaced. Also checking into lemon law.

 

[PoMansRam]

My 2017 1500 is at dealer right now. 4th time, same issue, same part. The scary thing is the contact sweep contacts get a burn mark on it and this is in a fuel tank. I called ram care prior to the service appt. what a mistake. They are using me as the Guinea pig and put a star case hold grounding order on my truck. Today Ram requested techs tested every possible ground, tested voltage and amperage to many wires and check for alterations or modifications etc etc. very poor design and if and when they ok the job I’m getting the same fuel module replaced. Also checking into lemon law.

How many miles on your 2017? Do you have an extended warranty? I didn't think the fuel pump/sending unit was covered beyond 3yrs/36K miles, but I have read of people saying they got it covered beyond that.

Just like the hemi lifter tick issue, I know more Ram 1500 owners that I can count at the moment, ranging from ~2013+ and none of them have had this fuel level sensor or any engine issues. Luck of the draw I guess.

 

[Wild one]

$70 assembly from Amazon with a more robust (ethanol kills the OEM) sender and increased GPM fuel pump.

~2 hours to drop the tank

View attachment 219388

Tim you wouldn't happen to have a link to your pump/sender set-up would you.Thanks muchly if you do.
Rick

 

[Slotcop]

First 3 were within warranty. I do have an extended but dealer was just going to put another one in. but idiot me called ram care prior to appt inquiring if the part was ever upgraded. That call started the inconvenient process using my truck as the test monkey. I’ve called ram care numerous times. They brought out my NY colorful language. Waiting to see tomorrow.

 

[Slotcop]

This guy gets sensor replaced in record time

 

[Tim Garceau]

Tim you wouldn't happen to have a link to your pump/sender set-up would you.Thanks muchly if you do.
Rick

Hey Rick,

Looks like it was sold out, not sure if another supplier is producing now.

Maxfavor Fuel Pump Assembly w/Sending Unit Compatible with 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 3.7L 5.7L E7257M P76745M https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P6B5QFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ef8AFbZ9C6V5W

 

[Wild one]

Hey Rick,

Looks like it was sold out, not sure if another supplier is producing now.

Maxfavor Fuel Pump Assembly w/Sending Unit Compatible with 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 3.7L 5.7L E7257M P76745M https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P6B5QFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ef8AFbZ9C6V5W

Thanks Tim.Mine gives me static everytime i let it get to reading 90 miles to empty,but it's been doing that for years,lol.I'll have to keep an eye on the ad and see if they come back in stock.

 

[Slotcop]

update on my 2017 1500 4th time dealer replacing the fuel pump/sensor/module. i mentioned Ram would not cover it this time until a senior tech went over a long list of troubleshooting. the contacts on the level sweep board were burned just like the others. well was just informed of the cause of my sensors failing. not sure if this relates to all the other rams dating back to 2014. the plastic gas tank has a plastic baffle inside to keep the fuel from swishing around. this baffle breaks off and swishes around. the assumption is the baffle may get caught up in the float keeping the contact in one position causing that area on the board to burn out. Dealer is replacing the fuel tank and module. Time will tell.

 

[BlackBetty2017]

I highly doubt someone looked at your truck for 24hrs, maybe at the shop for that long but it’s common enough it probably took less than 1/2hr for the to diagnose.

Both the pump and level sending units are a common failure. The part number has changed a couple times though, wether or not it’s actually been upgraded is hard to say.

Correct, they just had the truck for 24hrs even though I had an appt. They didn't look at it according the service rep... they quoted me off what I told them (stupid of me to even say anything - ignorant of them to just take my word and quote the job). I also checked my local gas station... top tier gasoline all the way. Chrysler basically doing nothing. RamCares here is worthless. They just regurgitate whatever they can find in the system.

 

[PoMansRam]

......the plastic gas tank has a plastic baffle inside to keep the fuel from swishing around. this baffle breaks off and swishes around. the assumption is the baffle may get caught up in the float keeping the contact in one position causing that area on the board to burn out. Dealer is replacing the fuel tank and module. Time will tell.

Old thread, but that's the first I've heard of this disintegrating baffle deal.. Wonderful.

 

[Ram1967]

Same issue with my 2014 with 50,000 miles. Luckily it appeared the day after I bought it used. After some intense discussion about me bringing the truck back and picking my Grand Cherokee I traded back they replaced it free of charge in about 2 hours.

 

[Wild one]

Same issue with my 2014 with 50,000 miles. Luckily it appeared the day after I bought it used. After some intense discussion about me bringing the truck back and picking my Grand Cherokee I traded back they replaced it free of charge in about 2 hours.

Man that brings up memories on the last car we bought,lol. My wife traded her very low milege 2016 Shaker hood Challenger off on a 2019 (1320) Challenger last spring.The deal was made at my local dealer,for a 1320 sitting on another dealers lot in a city 2 hours away.Our dealer did everything by the book for a dealer transfer,when they went to pick the car up,the dealer with the car,suddenly claimed they'd had a cash deposit put on it,the day the trade was supposed to occur (turned out it was a BS story,as a month later they still had it sitting in the showroom),that put my dealer in a real bind,as 1320 Challengers aren't really all that common,when they phoned us,they offered her a fully loaded wide body ScatPack Challenger instead,when i said "no" if they couldn't find us another 1320,i'd just stop payment on the check and we'd come pick her old car up.That's when the story got real funny,as it turned out they'd already sold her old car,so they were in a real bind. Took them a few hours,but they finally found her another 1320,in another small town 3 hours away,but they did alot of whining as the car they found,had $3,000 in more options,so in the end she ended up with a fully loaded 1320 Challenger for the price we'd paid for a stripper model 1320,lol