I have a 2000 Ford Taurus EFI Sedan, 4 door. The gas meter seems to be broken, I think.
It has read Full for the past 5 days. Today it went to E, then slowly crept up to about a quarter of of tank, which is about right for the amount of gas I put in last night.
Do you think the meter on the dashboard is broken or the float in the fuel tank? (please also tell me the correct names for these products so I am able to tell the people what I need when I call- thanks!.)
And upon that determination, do you think I could get this part from a place such as AutoZone, or go directly to the dealership?
Any help is appreciated! Thank you!
2007-10-12 03:52:01 · 9 answers · asked by teri is ambience 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Before buying a sending unit, I'd be looking for a bad wire connection between the gauge and the sending unit in the tank. Not sure about Fords, but some manufacture's gauges are made to move towards full as the sending unit's electical resistance increases while others move towards empty as electrical resistance increases.
Reading full continuously could have been caused by a bare spot in the wire that goes to the sending unit and was touching a grounded metal part. Not sure, but I believe on a Ford a shorted wire would show full regardless of how much or how little fuel is in the tank. Were this the case, the sending unit in the tank can be operating perfectly but current in the shorted wire is returning to the ground before it ever gets to the sending unit, thus telling the gauge the tank is full. When the gauge started working properly, a small bump or jolt could have jiggled the wire just enough to move the bare wire away from the ground (electrical ground that is).
As far as the bare spot on the wire goes, mice and rats love to chew the insulation on wires. If you lay under the car and look at the tank, somewhere you should see a small wire harness containing something like three or four wires coming from the tank. Don't know about newer Taursus, but on older Tempos the sending unit is at the top of the tank and to remove it the whole tank has to be removed. Anyway, find the harness, reach up where it connects to the tank if possible and wiggle the wire. At the tank connection there should be kind of a rubber grommet type affair where it connects to the sending unit's terminals. Press down on this to make sure it's making connection. Follow the harness forward, wiggling the wire and looking for any places where the insulation may be damaged. Look closely any place where a rat could set on a frame rail and munch away on it. The wire wiggling trick would be best tried when the gauge shows full but you know it's not. Turn the ignition of (don't start the engine) and have someone watch the gauge while you wiggle the wires. If the gauge is reading correctly and it's a bare wire problem, wiggling the wire may cause the gauge to show full.
Something else to try before spending money on repair would be to fill the tank and if the same thing happens again, it shows full until it suddenly drops to a quarter tank, then it's probably the sending unit. A bad rheostat on the sending unit will behave exactly the same way every time while a bare wire won't. The guage is most likely fine because when bad, they usually don't move at all.
2007-10-12 08:15:08 · answer #1 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The name for the gas meter is called a fuel gauge. It doesn't seem like is bad, if the gauge is not reading correctly then possible problem with your fuel pump. Best way yo know is fill your tank to full reset the miles to 0 see know much gallons go in the tank and when empty see how many miles you got.
Compare that with the other full tank you got if off by 10-20 miles its OK but off for more then they might be a problem in the tank.
2007-10-12 04:17:17 · answer #2 · answered by dmlove99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fuel level sensor (or fuel sending unit) is usually an integral part of the fuel pump. Typically it is monitored by the on-board computer in your vehicle. If the sensor (or wiring) is defective it would usually produce a check engine soon (service engine soon) light on your dashboard. If this light is on, the problem would most likely be with the wiring or sensor, and not the Gage or float in the tank. If the check engine soon (service engine soon) light is on -- go to auto-zone and ask them to read the computer code(s) for you. The computer will give a trained mech a pretty good idea where to start if you have to take it to the shop. I agree that the most likely place to start is check for loose or bad wiring first, before having the sensor replaced.
2007-10-13 03:42:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well they will know what you mean by float in the gas tank. The Gas gauge is your meter on your dash, and yes, that can be screwed up too.
I would definitely try a place like AutoZone or O'Reilleys before I head to a dealer...the parts are cheaper but you have to install them yourself or find a mechanic to do it for you.
At a dealer, you are most likely going to be paying a pretty penny for their services. It is up to you.
2007-10-12 04:02:25 · answer #4 · answered by Pixie Dust 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-09 02:18:30 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Float in tank bad or sensor.
2007-10-12 03:58:33 · answer #6 · answered by jumbobret 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well somethings wrong, go get it checked @ dealership
2007-10-13 02:57:47 · answer #7 · answered by troop there it is 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be either thing.
2007-10-12 04:09:00 · answer #8 · answered by mattf92 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
wat?
2007-10-12 04:15:43 · answer #9 · answered by nessa 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋