32 Gal Fuel Tank not taking 32 Gal

[tap4154]

I've run it out of of fuel and refueling it took less than 30 gallons,,, so no I'm not going to call it a 32 gallon tank if only 30 gallons is available to the fuel pump.

Once you get down that low, if you just go around the corner or up a grade, you're going to start sucking air. I would never run it that low. I usually fill up at a quarter tank, but occasionally I'll wait till the light comes on and then gas up immediately.

 

[NWhunt]

Following


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[Different Drummer]

UPDATE:
I will try to keep this as short as possible.

1) After RAM Cares ( Kathryn ) joined the conversation I took her up on the offer to help and contacted her with a PM.

2) She said there was no TSB on the issue. That did not surprise me. She offered to escalate
the issue and supply assistance. I accepted the offer and had to supply VIN, e-mail, Tel.# etc.

3) A "Case Specialist" contacted me via phone a couple of days prior to Christmas. I explained the issue in detail and emphasized that it is not an uncommon issue and others are experiencing the same as I. He said he would contact my Service writer and in fact called him by first name and said he knew him. I explained at this time that I did not need an arbitrator and had no issues with the service department at my RAM dealership. ( I made this clear to RAM cares as well ). I explained that I was seeking assistance in identifying the "Fix" for the issue so that the service Dept. could act on his advise.

4) Took the truck in on the 28th per schedule. Service writer at that time said he had not received any communication from FCA in regards to my fuel tank issue. I mentioned that the "case specialist" said that he knew the service writer. ( I have known him also for over 40 years ) He did mention a FCA Rep. by name that he has dealt with. That name was in fact who contacted me.

5) Today ( Dec. 29th ) the " Case Specialist" called me on the phone. Stated that he had talked with service writer and when my paint work was completed the dealership would be researching at their level for a remedy. So I ask, "were you able to assist or offer any suggestions on correcting the issue"? Answer was no. I alluded to there being a fair number of RAM owners that are aware of or experiencing this issue yet FCA seems not to be. Also during all the communicating with "RAM CARES" and the "Case Specialist" I mentioned the Computer flash associated with the "Park Assist". No one seems to know anything about this as well.
6) So the ball is now solely in my service writers court. Right where I was about a month ago.
I could have gotten exactly where I am now by simply talking to a service writer that I have known for many years. I guess I will know in a couple of days whether or not the service staff at my dealership can come up with a cure for the issue on their own.. My understanding is that there is no knowledge or support to dealerships from FCA on this issue.
We as RAM owners seem to know more about it than FCA I guess.

So that's the latest. I will report back in a few days when I have my truck back.

 

[18CrewDually]

This is why I added a tool/fuel box and carry 90 gallons of reserve.

I just accept the fact that the gauge is a liar and don't depend on it. I'm in the same boat with alot of people it seems and with the warning light on and range down under 50 it will only take about 26 and if what I consider is pushing it, about 29 and it's full.

I didn't see it mentioned but what about recalibrating the gauge/sender using AlphaOBD?

So behind the scenes I've been on AlphaOBD checking the settings for the fuel gauge and tank. I don't think it had the correct capacity so I put in 121 liters. I set the full to 98% , LFW 8%, and empty 2%.
The remainder of the tank the 50 miles to empty came on and I kept driving errands for another 20+ miles. It then switched to 25 range. The next start up it just said LOW. At this time the gauge is on the lowest quarter of the red zone. I drove another 18 miles or so and the gauge showed empty so I filled up.
The tank took 31.35 gallons. This is the most I've ever put into it. Normally it would only take 26 gallons and once 29 to fill it. I think my gauge is finally operating to my liking. I'll know after this tank for sure since I'm starting full and for the full range.

 

[Different Drummer]

18crewdually,
Glad to see you are having some success. At the very least it proves that there are parameters that can in fact be changed via the computer to adjust the fuel level monitoring system. I asume that your' HD came with 32 gallons as the standard tank?
For anyone following along. I picked up my truck today. Service Dept. was closed so there was no one there to give me any specific information. Sales person that gave me my keys said that service manager said that there was no new progress on my fuel gauge being inaccurate. Supposedly more communication is expected from higher up the ladder. So at this point there is no change. Service manager is supposed to call me on Monday in regards to the paint warranty work that was done as there was no documentation prepared for me to be given by the sales person handing over my truck to me. Honestly, I don't think there has been any attempt by anyone at all to resolve the issue.
Still looks like the RAM owner community knows more about the fuel calibration problem than FCA. So this is where I have arrived after numerous communications with RAM Cares, as well as the " case specialist" and the service department at the dealership.
I just wish someone would be straight up and say " We aren't going to address the issue", Instead of stringing me along. I have remained pretty calm about the whole thing but after all the information I have supplied and time spent in communications in regards to the issue I am getting frustrated to the point of irritation.
Not much more anyone can do I guess, except start carrying a 5 gallon can of gas with me so I can rescue myself when I run out of fuel.

 

[18CrewDually]

Yes, I have a 32 gallon tank. Here's a screenshot of some of the parameters you can modify.

 

[Tach_tech]

DifferentD Drummer, as a tech for FCA don’t hold your breath on a fix. It’s pretty much up to FCA if they feel it’s worth spending the time and money to come up with a fix. Safety and performance related issues usually get first crack.

I’ve dealt with a lot of common issues like this in my time as a tech, and lots of simply gotten to the point that FCA is not pursuing a fix, or it’s in the works, but there’s no ETA on a fix. There’s also some that they’ve come out with a fix that didn’t work then they stopped pursuing a fix. FCA is aware of the issue, but I bet it’s just not anywhere near a priority for them to fix right now.

My advice would be to either go the Alfa obd route like 18CrewDually, or just keep your ears open on here for a possible fix. Maybe check in with the dealer every now and then.

 

[Different Drummer]

DifferentD Drummer, as a tech for FCA don’t hold your breath on a fix. It’s pretty much up to FCA if they feel it’s worth spending the time and money to come up with a fix. Safety and performance related issues usually get first crack.

I’ve dealt with a lot of common issues like this in my time as a tech, and lots of simply gotten to the point that FCA is not pursuing a fix, or it’s in the works, but there’s no ETA on a fix. There’s also some that they’ve come out with a fix that didn’t work then they stopped pursuing a fix. FCA is aware of the issue, but I bet it’s just not anywhere near a priority for them to fix right now.

My advice would be to either go the Alfa obd route like 18CrewDually, or just keep your ears open on here for a possible fix. Maybe check in with the dealer every now and then.

I hear you, and most likely what you suggest is the way I will go. I will just live with it while I wait it out. No sense in getting my panties in a *** over the whole thing.
What I find interesting though is the fact that members of this forum actually post screen shots ( see 18crewdually post), of what they can do by accessing the programing with their AlfaOBD.
There are others as well. Where values such as tank volume, % full and % empty can be entered via AlphaOBD. Soooooo, members of this forum can find and access these input parameters and a Dealer who is most likely using some proprietary special FCA super duper device cannot do the same? Something is very wrong with that picture!
Rant over!

 

[Different Drummer]

What year is your truck?

There was a cluster flash released for exactly this issue.

Just found this in reviewing the thread.
So why can't my dealer do this cluster flash?

 

[Tach_tech]

Just found this in reviewing the thread.
So why can't my dealer do this cluster flash?

what year is your truck? Dealer scan tools while great are very limited to what they can parameters can actually be changed.

 

[Different Drummer]

what year is your truck? Dealer scan tools while great are very limited to what they can parameters can actually be changed.

My truck is a 2017 1500 Laramie Crew Cab. Bone stock for a Laramie with two exceptions.
1) Limited slip Diff.
2) 32 gallon fuel tank
No other options or packages on my truck.

 

[Tach_tech]

My truck is a 2017 1500 Laramie Crew Cab. Bone stock for a Laramie with two exceptions.
1) Limited slip Diff.
2) 32 gallon fuel tank
No other options or packages on my truck.

It’s possible your truck is outside the build date range, or it already has the newest software available.

 

[18CrewDually]

Theres a few threads on this matter which I have posted on about using AlphaOBD app to recalibrate the CLUSTER readings of the gauge to coincide with actual fuel level.
Like others my fuel light would come on @ 50 mile range. When I would fill it would only take 26. At most it took 29 and that was with the gauge on E hard for 25+ miles. My 2018 CTDHO truck has the 32 gal tank.

So I went into the Body module using ALPHAOBD and changed some settings. One thing was the capacity to 121 liters (32 g) . I also changed the Cluster Calibration percentage readings for FULL, LFW, & EMPTY to the highest for full, and lowest for empty and the LFW I think I set to 2 or 5%.

I ran a test initially after the recal. I filled the tank and ran it down to 1/4 tank on the gauge. Upon filling, from 1/4 to half it took 8.2 gallons. I continued to fill to half and it took another 8 gallons. The to full it took another 8. Since it's a 32 gallon tank it looked pretty promising my gauge is accurate.

Final test I ran it empty yesterday. the 50 mile range light came on with the needle in the red. I continued to run it until the needle was down to E and range wouldn't give miles anymore. I filled the tank yesterday morning and sure enough the pump clicked off at 31.7 gallons with me able to top it off with 32.2 gallons. I don't normally top off but I wanted to see how much more I could squeeze in.

Conclusion problem solved for me. I'm going to run this tank low again and see if it has the same results.

 

[Different Drummer]

For anyone interested here is an update.
With the limited driving I have been doing it took quite some time to get the fuel level down to where the warning light and chime would activate.
1. Truck spent the day at the dealer about a month ago. They set everything back to whatever default is. They said they made absolutely sure that the computer was recognizing that my truck has the 32 gallon fuel tank. Fuel tank was filled after leaving the dealership and all instrumentation reset to zero.
2. Low fuel warning light and chime activated yesterday. All driving since fill up has been pretty much NON highway and on winter formulated fuel in below freezing Temps.
Instrumentation at time of low fuel light activation showed, 20.6 MPG Ave., 491 miles on tank since fill up and 82 miles range remaining.
3. I found a gas station and purchased fuel 6.6 miles after low fuel warning light came on.
Complete fill up ( I made sure to fill it very full ) Total gallons put into the tank was 26.2 Gal.
Anyone can draw their own conclusions from this information. However, it appears to me that it is behaving exactly as before with the low fuel warnings being activated a bit prematurely.
It appears as though my original thoughts that when on highway all day averaging 25MPG , proceeding an additional 100 Miles past warning remains reasonable with a little room to spare.
I will find out over time and when I get the 3 gallon fuel container installed in the bed of the truck.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Op, I feel for you. But is it really that important, I have 3 of these trucks, an 11, a 14 an a 16. All have different configurations and all are driven both short and long distances.

On most if not all occasions, I purchase fuel before the tank is below a 1/4 tank. My bladder gives out way before I need to purchase fuel.

I know what fuel economy each truck gets and don't like walking, so I make choices.

Not saying you don't deserve a fuel gauge that's accurate, you do. However, you have a vehicle that the gauge is not, there are thousands of cars, trucks and motorcycles on the road with inaccurate fuel gauges. Some are without gauges. So, instead why not just buy fuel based on miles, keep up with them and move on. Ram has had this issue for years, it's never been fixed, some trucks have it some don't, hours, if not days have been involved to no end.

I hope you get it fixed, but if no, it's not the end of the world. GM and ford have the same issue. Along with every other manufacture. The gauges are just not that accurate and most dealers just don't care.

 

[Different Drummer]

Op, I feel for you. But is it really that important, I have 3 of these trucks, an 11, a 14 an a 16. All have different configurations and all are driven both short and long distances.

On most if not all occasions, I purchase fuel before the tank is below a 1/4 tank. My bladder gives out way before I need to purchase fuel.

I know what fuel economy each truck gets and don't like walking, so I make choices.

Not saying you don't deserve a fuel gauge that's accurate, you do. However, you have a vehicle that the gauge is not, there are thousands of cars, trucks and motorcycles on the road with inaccurate fuel gauges. Some are without gauges. So, instead why not just buy fuel based on miles, keep up with them and move on. Ram has had this issue for years, it's never been fixed, some trucks have it some don't, hours, if not days have been involved to no end.

I hope you get it fixed, but if no, it's not the end of the world. GM and ford have the same issue. Along with every other manufacture. The gauges are just not that accurate and most dealers just don't care.

You are correct, it is not that big of a deal. However, the important thing for me is to have it be consistent at whatever behavior it is going to exhibit. I do travel in some fairly remote areas where fuel management can be an issue. That is why I opted for the 32 gallon capacity. Also, I don't want to stop and fill up every time it hits 1/2 just to have the insurance of not running out of fuel. The reason I got started on the issue is because I had thought that I had it all figured out. I would routinely drive 100 miles past the warning and never put over 30 gallons in. Then one time I did that and it took 32.1 gallons to fill the tank! And all driving conditions had remained at a constant. i.e. speed, wind force and direction, altitude, terrain etc. There goes consistency right out the window. I will just make it a habit to have some extra fuel with me when off exploring out of the way places.
Interesting thing, in aviation a fuel gauge only needs to be accurate when cells are completely full or completely empty. In between is a crap shoot. I never used a gauge to determine fuel remaining. Knowing the fuel consumption rate for given circumstances always resulted in accurate fuel remaining determinations.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Agree. I live in Montana, fuel is few and far between, you pump what you find, remote is the name of the game.

My 11 is more accurate than the 16, both have 32 gallon tanks. The 11 had the update on the tank the 16 has not.

I've only seen the empty light once since owning both. Like I said, don't like walking.

Take good care

 

[Different Drummer]

Agree. I live in Montana, fuel is few and far between, you pump what you find, remote is the name of the game.

My 11 is more accurate than the 16, both have 32 gallon tanks. The 11 had the update on the tank the 16 has not.

I've only seen the empty light once since owning both. Like I said, don't like walking.

Take good care

BUT, you refer to an "update". I think you have mentioned it before, maybe even in a different thread. I remember it because whoever referred to getting the "update" was from Montana.
I even referenced this information to my dealer telling them someone in Montana had a dealer do some type of computer flash to accomplish what is required. I also referenced to them that someone else had accomplished getting an accurate gauge when the "park sense" flash was done.
They look at me with that "Hugh?" expression.
Also, remember that "Ram Cares" got involved and someone that they contact was assigned to my "case". ( I would guess they are reading this post, but that is fine as everything I am stating is accurate ) I thought that this would get my dealer an avenue of communication with FCA engineer's or someone that could give them guidance / suggestions to achieve a fix.
Well, this just plain does not happen. I don't think the Rep. assigned to the issue has any engineering or even mechanical experience. Sounds like he is a desk Jockey that is supposed to arbitrate customer complaints. I DID NOT have a complaint. I was just looking for someone with the technological ability to assist the dealer. I still don't have a dealer complaint. They did the best they could with the resources that were made available to them.
My dealer simply does not know how to correct it. Apparently the dealer in Montana has information available to them that my dealer does not.
Not ranting here, I am cool with the situation as is and will make whatever adjustments I must make to accommodate my needs. I put this out there so anyone else going down a similar road may know in advance how the system does or does not work.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

I have looked for my paperwork and I cannot find what was done, it may have been part of another update. This was on my 11 with the 5.7 hemi and 6 speed.

So I cannot help the situation. Sorry. I'm working on the other side of the country in virginia, so getting access to any documents or the dealer is tough right now. Maybe in 3 to 6 months. I might be able to assist

 

[GTyankee]

I think that you will find that both the 28 & 32 gallon tanks have the same depth.
The 32 gallon tank is just longer, measure from the rear axle to the rear of the tank

I think if you check around the different forums, the tanks still have 5 gallons more or less of gas left in them when the gauge reads empty

You can still drive further when it reads empty, but it unwise to do that, because the fuel pump will tend to get hot & after doing it a couple of times, you could ruin the pump