ive noticed this that the fuel gauge seems to move a lot eg when i get in my car it reads half a tank then i start the engine and it drops past that marker almost down to a quarter tank, then 20 minutes later its back up to where it was before. ive not noticed this quite often but it seems to be happening more frequent now, is this normal? does any one know why this is happeneing, my car is a ford festa L reg made in 1994 engine size 1.1
2006-11-17 04:44:06 · 12 answers · asked by csnape2003 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Fords are not supposed to do that!! General Motors fuel gauge's will randomly move, because of the way the are made, but a Ford shouldn't do this. It moves to a resting place once the ignition switch is turned off, and should move to the correct place once the ignition switch is activated. A register inside the fuel tank is set up on a float, and as the float goes up or down it gives the meter (gauge) more or less ground (negative). The positive or power supply to the register in the tank should be a constant with the switch in the on position. The negative wire that runs from the gauge to the register inside the tank, could have a bad place in the wire or insulation missing on the wire, causing it to get a random ground, thus making the gauge move at random. The positive wire that supplies the power to the gauge could have a bad place in it, resulting in a random voltage drop or loss. A fuse for the gauge could be dirty at the contacts, and need cleaning, or the replacement of the fuse. Finally the register inside the tank could be going bad, or getting a bad connection where the wires plug together in the harness or at the tank. I hope this helps you out. Good Luck!!!
2006-11-17 05:07:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Modern vehicles use a armature/float combination that sends a signal to your fuel gauge which then translates the signal into the gauge reading you see.
The float is connected, inside of your gas tank, to an arm that varies the voltage of a sending unit as it moves up and down. If the float is high (a full tank) the sending unit send a higher voltage charge to the gauge which in turn raises the gauge needle to the correct area of the gauge and visa versa if the fuel level goes down.
99 percent of the time that I have seen a fluctuating gauge is was due to a sending unit malfunction. In other words, the unit in your tank is getting a fluctuating or intermittent signal from the float and armature set-up. This happens because over time, the movement of the float going up and down wears the contact points used by the sending unit to determine fuel level.
The solution is replacement of the in-take float/sending unit. This can be a very involved task depending on the make of your car. many cars require the complete removal of the fuel tank to facilitate access to the sending unit. Good luck....
2006-11-17 04:55:42 · answer #2 · answered by shifty67 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
many fuel pumps have a pick up tube that attaches to the pump and then goes down near the bottom of the tank. if it leaks or falls off the pump of course cant empty the tank. you said you changed pumps. did you notice anything different or did the pump have a dip tube? just a suggestion for you.
2016-05-21 22:57:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tank has baffles in it to prevent gas from sloshing around and giving false readings. One of two things has happened. A baffle has come loose in the tank or the sender in the tank is bad.
Either way the tank will have to be pulled. Assuming the wiring is OK.
Master tech 40 yrs.
2006-11-17 05:11:01 · answer #4 · answered by Cal 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fill the tank and see what happens after driving enough miles to use a complete tank of fuel.
2006-11-17 04:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by Scotty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your fuel sensor is responding to the movement of the fuel, i.e. its too quick. Most newer type cars don’t use the old float type sensor anymore. I think you’ll find that your car is fitted with a capacitor type sensor. Assuming this is the case you can get a garage to reduce the sensitivity.
2006-11-17 05:03:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds as if ur fuel sending unit is slowing going out. If that is the cause u will prob have to drop ur tank to replace it.
2006-11-17 04:48:41 · answer #7 · answered by cannondale96 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to replace your float inside the gas tank...must be an older car...sometimes also cheap to just replace the whole tank and float...
2006-11-17 04:49:16 · answer #8 · answered by Henry D 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when u drive the gas splashes around in your tank and the sensor misreads it, but once u stop the car it should read correctly
2006-11-17 04:47:50 · answer #9 · answered by aali82688 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you going up and down hills as that chances it are you parking on a hill as it will take time to settle to the right amount...
2006-11-17 04:48:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋