Fuel gauge stopped working. Only displays empty.

[BrooklynBravest]

Hey all, wasn't sure if this was engine or electronic or what but randomly today I got back in my truck after driving to the store and the gauge displayed fully empty as well as low fuel message on the screen.

At first I thought I just didn't notice I was low, filled it fully. Still reads empty.

So far I disconnected the battery for 15 min and reconnected it and that did not work.

Gave a quick look below didn't see any damage or disconnected wires.

Not sure what the next move is. Thanks for help.

 

[392DevilDog]

Does your truck message you fuel level sensor fail?

Mine has read that for about 10000 miles now.

It is a known problem. No issue with driving. Just no fuel level.

You can replace just the sensor, but you have to pull the fuel pump so it is about the same overall to just replace the pump too, if you have higher miles

 

[snoty]

Similar situation happened to me in December. About 20 miles after a filling up my tank, all the sudden truck showed Empty and the Fuel Level Sensor Fail message on the screen with the CEL. I knew it was not empty because I had just filled up 20 miles ago. Did look under the truck to inspect the tank for a leak though. A few miles later, it read properly again and was normal.

Long story short, it was under warranty and I took it into the dealership. They replaced the fuel level sensor.

 

[BrooklynBravest]

No sensor fail level.

And its got a full 32 gallons in it... no leak.

anyone know off hand rough repair cost? I have 60k miles.

Probably trade this piece of junk in or torch it.

 

[Kid's HEMI! !!]

I just got the code yesterday for fuel level sensor put cleaner in tank cleared code with tuner so far good

 

[BrooklynBravest]

I just got the code yesterday for fuel level sensor put cleaner in tank cleared code with tuner so far good

What type of cleaner?

 

[Kid's HEMI! !!]

Techron complete fuel system cleaner

 

[Elevated 2013]

It’s usually a fuel level sensor in the gas tank which is an arm that is attached to a float. It’s just not sending a signal any more to the gauge. It’s not a hard job to do even on your back but you definitely want to empty the gas tank as much as possible before attempting it as 32 gallons of gas is heavier than you think. You will need at least the fuel sending unit but you might as well do the fuel pump and fuel filter that is in the tank as you’re taking them all out of the gas tank to do this repair and will save you time and prevent you from having to do it all again when the fuel pump fails. Rockauto.com has the parts for a 26 gallon tank from Mopar for $265+tax+shipping. I know you said you have a 32 gallon gas tank but just wanted to give you a rough idea of parts pricing. I’m sure you can find cheaper. If the gas tank isn’t too full I would think the book time on a job like that is probably about an hour and a half to 2 hours but that’s a guesstimate.


I might get knocked down but you better be gone when I get up!

2013 Ram 1500 Sport Crew Cab, 4” Rough Country lift, 35x12.5x17 ProComp AT Sport tires, ProComp shocks and struts, Modify Street 2019 style polished black projector headlights, 3.92 differentials

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[pete lavigne]

It’s not always sender. Please anyone explain body control module update for fuel gauge

 

[ram1500rsm]

I just got the code yesterday for fuel level sensor put cleaner in tank cleared code with tuner so far good

That’s how it starts. The cleaner won’t fix it. The gauge will start doing its dance soon from full to empty and back to full and eventually will fail until the point it’ll be pegged at empty. Been there and watched it die after a few months. I went a step further and tuned out the DTC so it wouldn’t affect my BLD system while doing offroad. BLD won’t work if there is an active DTC.

I replaced the fuel pump all together even though the problem was the level sensor. Mine was 70k something miles already and my shop said it would be wise to replace the pump while they had the fuel tank down anyways.

 

[snoty]

It’s not always sender. Please anyone explain body control module update for fuel gauge

I haven't seen any update/recall/campaign for anything fuel related on my 2016. There is a STAR case S1608000283 regarding 32 gallon tanks reading as if they were 28 gallons but I don't think anything has come of that yet. Is that what you were referring to?

 

[rsdata]

2014, 1500 hemi, 32 gal tank with 92K miles... have lived with sender error code now for 40K miles but am now looking to fix it myself... I fill up, the guage says full, then after 50 or 60 miles it goes to empty and I get the CEL

what part# and vendor did you go with if you don't mind sharing?

my local mechanic ( I trust him and his wisdom) says the Spectra fuel pumps/senders from Rock Auto aren't worth a dam and will not warranty it if I provide this part... he says it will take a $400 part to fix it permanently, with little possibilty of a re-do a year later.. so looking for other opinions on part # that others have had luck with...

thx

 

[snoty]

Mine was replaced by my local dealer ship under warranty. Part number 68141873AA

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[Joeram]

Fuel sensor fail

 

[Joeram]

Here's the problem. I've had it for awhile now. I think it's about a $700 fix that may or may not stay fixed.

 

[Joeram]

Here's the actual replacement.

 

[rsdata]

I ordered Amazon Delphi pump/sender unit for $295 #FG1354
taking it into local mechanic Tuesday for a fix... he says no more than $200 labor give or take a few bucks... I have lived with empty tank for about 18 months. I could keep going that way... fill up then keep track of mileage, but decided not to. WHEN i TOW i GET MAYBE 9.5 mpg, HIGHWAY about 19.5... the calculated MPG displayed on the dash is usually within 1 to 1.5 MPG higher than actual MPG

 

[Joeram]

Here's the NHTSA website. I personally think this is an indirect safety issue. Let's face it if someone suddenly runs out of fuel on a busy highway it can be dangerous. This should be a recall issue IMHO. There's a Report A Problem button on the website. If enough people complain maybe something will be done.

2015 RAM 1500 PU/CC 4WD | NHTSA
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/RAM/1500/PU%2FCC/4WD

 

[jbmaverick]

This thread is a few years old, but I just experienced this with my 2017 Ram 2500 Cummins with 55k miles. Fuel gauge would just drop to empty. I'd fill it up and it would only take maybe 10 gallons. Took it to the dealership and they found the fuel pump completely cracked/separated (see attached). Was in the shop for 2 days and cost $1,030 for parts, labor and gas to repair now in 2023 (no warranty coverage on it). The dealership said if I had let it go another week, I would have had to have the truck towed in. I reported this as a safety issue to the NHTSA at https://www.nhtsa.gov/ as @Joeram suggested. This should be a recall issue!