Hipshot

I just bought a 99 2500 ext cab short bed diesel. When I got the truck it was 1/2 full. I filled the tank 17 gls. About right. Drove about 100 miles. Gauge started to come off full. Next day it was above full again. Now have 300 miles on the tank and it's still full!!??

Either I'm getting some unbelievable gas mileage or something may not be right in Denmark! Anyway, turn the key off and it goes to empty. Turn it on and its pinned. I beat on the tank. Wiggled the wires on top of the tank, bounced the truck over some speed bumps, and drove down a really rough dirt road. No luck! Ok, ... I'm confused. I thought it might be a stuck float? Maybe not now?

Anyone got any ideas? I just got the truck and already I'm having issues! AARRGG! Thanks.. Hip

sherod

Very common with the second gen trucks. You have thesdame problem as me as well as a bunch of others. The sending unit is toast, but can be taken out and repaired. Easiest way is loosen the bed and tilt it so you can get to the tank. Other option, drop the tank.

Mine has been that way for 3 years that I have owned the truck. I just use the odometer and forget about the gauge. 350 miles is the safe everyday milage I use and for highway 450. Trailer pulling, whatever feels right.

Ed

Shovelhead

The tank units are notorious for failing.
You'll need to either drop the tank or raise the bed to gain access to change it out.

Hipshot

CRAP! I hope this isn't a sign of things to come! Oh well...

Ok this raises 3 questions...

1'st you say repair... Does that mean repair or replace & about how much?

2nd, Whats involved in loosening the bed? sounds like thats the simplest way.. And oh man am i gonna havta lift it... I'm not a small boy!

3rd, is the low fuel light tied to the same sending unit or is it a secondary system? (I hope)

Thanks for all your help!

sherod

Like I said, I haven't done mine yet (and probably won't unless the bed is off for some other reason). I have read on this site about cleaning and replacing a pivot/wiper assembly on the sending unit.

The bed has about 8 bolts holding it on. Take out the fuel tank side and loosen the others. Tilt the bed and block it up to get to the sending unit. Two people can carry the bed easily.

I'm pretty sure the low fuel light is triggered by the fuel gauge. Also the darned dinger, but I don't even hear it anymore.

Ed

infidel

A new sending unit from the dealer is about $40.
Many dealers will try to tell you the sender isn't available separately and that you have to buy the entire $300 module. This simply isn't true.

joeinblueout4u

The same thing happend on our '95 before I sold it. There are actually two sending units (one for the guage and one for the light, unless Dodge changed the design.) The sending unit for the light is around $40. The sending unit for the guage was around $260 a few years ago when this problem came up. I ignored the problem for about 2 years and based the need for fuel off the odometer. Then the spring-loaded fuel pickup that is part of the guage sending unit got lodged in one place and began to suck air around the 200 miles driven on the tank mark. The problem was so frustrating that I sold the truck before I had the problem figured out.

And yes, lifting the bed is easiest. I think there was about (8) 15mm bolts that attach the bed from the underside. I removed the front 6 and loosened the two at the rear of the bed about 3/8 of an inch. I was lucky that I had a chain hoist in the top of my barn that I could use to raise the bed for access. DO NOT FORGET TO disconnect the fuel filler neck from the bedside before lifting the bed. The whole process in and out took about 45 minutes with hand tools and the chain hoist. I hope this helps. Sorry so long.

-Joe

infidel

Quote:

The sending unit for the guage was around $260 a few years ago when this problem came up.

Sounds like you are another victim of dealer ripoff.
I am absolutely certain the gauge sender for all 12 valves can be had for around $40.

Hipshot

Thanks to all for your help. I'll let you know how I make out when I attack this. You all are just a wealth of information! Keep up the great work! Hip

ncmodave

Just replaced sending unit on my 95 cost $70. for part from dealer

Golfman

Maybe we should all file a class action lawsuit against dodge to fix these sending units. I have ran out of fuel too, and it isnt easy to bleed the fuel system to get this going again. I think it was just bad engineering and should be their responsability.

dsl kicks gas

the stelership priced me one for $50, it dont reley bother me any more, i unpluged the light in the dash(and the shift light) but i'm gonna fix it sometime soon

Marine

I think I paid 35-40 for mine. I dropped the tank. 2 bolts vice 8 to take the bed off. Just make sure you tighten the plastic top with a strap wrench, or it will leak when you fill it up.