88 F-150 gas gauges

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David Coleman - 31 Jul 2005 07:45 GMT

I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a tank,
the needle will dance from full to empty. When it gets to about 1/4 of a
tank, it falls to empty and stays there.
Wasn't all that big of a problem, but then the front tank started doing the
same thing. So now, once below 1/2 a tank of gas, I never really know how
much I have.
I have in fact run out of gas on occasions, but have gotten smart and carry
a gas can with a couple gallons in it in the bed of the truck.

Any ideas??

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Ammonman - 31 Jul 2005 14:18 GMT

> I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
> will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a tank,
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Any ideas??

Sounds like the sending units are going out. Fairly common on Fords of that
vintage. I had to replace the rear tank unit on my '86 F150/351W recently.
New sending units are available online, as well as shops that will rebuild
your unit(s). Run a search on Fuel Sending Units and some sources will show
up.

AmmonMan

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Steve Barker - 01 Aug 2005 12:13 GMT

Here's an idea. Replace the sending units. About $15 ea. You can also buy
them at NAPA, Carquest and of course Ford.

s

>I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
>will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Any ideas??

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Gus - 12 Aug 2005 14:46 GMT

> Here's an idea. Replace the sending units. About $15 ea. You can also buy
> them at NAPA, Carquest and of course Ford.
>
> s

$15 ?!?

Not bloody likely.

More like $75-$100 depending on year and tank.

Gus

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Joe - 16 Aug 2005 05:30 GMT

>> Here's an idea. Replace the sending units. About $15 ea. You can also
>> buy
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Gus

No, you can get the whole fuel pump and sender assembly for that kind of
money. I don't know what the sender costs, but it's not much. But then, if
the posters really look to us for prices rather than to a store, it's not
bloody likely they actually plan to buy or fix anything anyway.

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Derrick Hudson - 01 Aug 2005 15:00 GMT

Use the trip odometer as a replacement fuel supply measuring device.
I've had two fords, so far, where the fuel gauge didn't work and I
just used the trip odometer: fill tank full every time and reset
odometer; refill around 200-230 miles.

I also used an old Pontiac one winter that didn't have a trip odometer
and 1/4 on the gauge meant "empty". A station wagon with worse gas
mileage than my pickup!

As for fixing the problem ... I guess replacing the sending units
sounds like a good idea, if you think the labor is worth it. I never
tried to fix it on any of the vehicles I drove since the trip odometer
was good enough for me.

-D

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David Coleman - 06 Aug 2005 04:01 GMT

I do that. But after a couple of bad experiences, I now carry a gas can with
about 2 gallons of gas in it...Get tired of walking, or having to call
someone and wait...lol

>> I have a 88 F-150 with dual tanks, 4.9 EFI. The problem is the rear tank
>> will show that it is full when it is, but once it gets to about half a
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> -D

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