Fuel Gauge Jumping around.....

[CrumpledMidget]

I had just filled my gas tank, and drove away. As I am driving I notice that the Low Fuel light is lit and the gauge also indicates that I am out of gas. I continue to drive and the gauge jumps to full and back to empty (after a minute or so) and sometimes stops at any spot between full or empty. I was running errands and didn't want to have to drive all the way back home, so I stopped for a couple minutes and had shut the car off. I started it and fuel went to full and stayed for a couple minutes and then started jumping around again. After about 1/2 an hour the check engine light came on, and the fuel gauge hasn't moved from full since. I haven't driven the car since, but it seemed to be running fine the whole time. Just wondering if anyone may know whats up with this or maybe seen it before?

[birdman941]

The reason your fuel gauge stayed on empty is because you filled the tank with the key and/or ongine on.
Thats a nono.

[CrumpledMidget]

I always shut the engine off when I pump fuel. So I don't believe thats it. Like I said It went to full then started bouncing around as I was driving down the road.

[substanger]

Originally Posted by CrumpledMidget

I had just filled my gas tank, and drove away. As I am driving I notice that the Low Fuel light is lit and the gauge also indicates that I am out of gas. I continue to drive and the gauge jumps to full and back to empty (after a minute or so) and sometimes stops at any spot between full or empty. I was running errands and didn't want to have to drive all the way back home, so I stopped for a couple minutes and had shut the car off. I started it and fuel went to full and stayed for a couple minutes and then started jumping around again. After about 1/2 an hour the check engine light came on, and the fuel gauge hasn't moved from full since. I haven't driven the car since, but it seemed to be running fine the whole time. Just wondering if anyone may know whats up with this or maybe seen it before?

You have either a bad sender or a bad instrument cluster. Since the check engine light came on, it's most likely a sender/FPDM problem. I had one of these on an '03 Explorer last week with a check engine light on P1233 I believe. It needed a sender. Best get it to the dealership if you're under warranty. Even if you're not, take it to the dealership anyway. .

[substanger]

Originally Posted by birdman941

The reason your fuel gauge stayed on empty is because you filled the tank with the key and/or ongine on.
Thats a nono.

Leaving the key on won't make his guage jump around like he described:

Originally Posted by CrumpledMidget

I continue to drive and the gauge jumps to full and back to empty (after a minute or so) and sometimes stops at any spot between full or empty.

It's true you're supposed to turn your car off while filling the tank, but leaving the KOEO will only affect the fuel guage until the next time you turn the car off, then restart it. After it restarts, the guage should function normally.

[Blue Baron NC]

Substanger, you give great info. I had a similar experience just as you said! Good to read people who know. Peace!

[substanger]

Originally Posted by Blue Baron NC

Substanger, you give great info. I had a similar experience just as you said! Good to read people who know. Peace!

Good deal!

[manny]

Originally Posted by CrumpledMidget

I had just filled my gas tank, and drove away. As I am driving I notice that the Low Fuel light is lit and the gauge also indicates that I am out of gas. I continue to drive and the gauge jumps to full and back to empty (after a minute or so) and sometimes stops at any spot between full or empty. I was running errands and didn't want to have to drive all the way back home, so I stopped for a couple minutes and had shut the car off. I started it and fuel went to full and stayed for a couple minutes and then started jumping around again. After about 1/2 an hour the check engine light came on, and the fuel gauge hasn't moved from full since. I haven't driven the car since, but it seemed to be running fine the whole time. Just wondering if anyone may know whats up with this or maybe seen it before?

I had a friend who had similar problems with his F-150, and it turned out that he had put his gas cap on crooked after fueling up. He got the check engine light too. He ended up taking the truck to the dealer to be told that his gas cap was on wrong. The cap was installed correctly, and the computer was reset, at which time the problem was fixed.

[CrumpledMidget]

I thought to check the gas cap as well. The check engine light just went out on the way to the dealership, and the fuel gauge hasn't moved since the check engine light came on. I don't think they will do anything, but I am also bringing it in for the front light. I get all kinds of condensation inside there. Hopefully they will read the check engine code to see what the problem was/is.

[CrumpledMidget]

If anyone is interested, it turns out the code had something to do with bad gas. The tech looked it up and read about it to tell me something about the sulfur content in the gas. He said that 2 or 3 tanks should clean it out all the way and that maybe I want to go elsewhere for my gas.

[j rick kirby]

I had a similar issue and stealership showed me a bad gas bulletin so we tried it.I switched brands for about 4-5 tanks and it was fixed by the 2nd or 3rd.Went back to Shell and no problems.

[lavasnake]

try and check the gas level on the odometer, put it in the test mode where your odometer acts as an electronic MPH guage, Ect... I think it has an option for the gas tank or fuel presure. Maybe its just the accual needle jumping around?