Computer and manual fuel gauge not working? - 2005 Ford Explorer

If your fuel gauge is not working, there are several potential reasons for this issue:
1. Faulty Fuel Sending Unit:
-The fuel sending unit is a component in the fuel tank that measures the amount of fuel and sends signals to the gauge.
2. Faulty Gauge or Instrument Cluster:
- The gauge itself or the entire instrument cluster may be malfunctional. Electrical issues, such as a blown fuse, could also be a factor.
3. Wiring Issues:
-Broken or damages wiring between the fuel sending unit, gauge, and instrument cluster can disrupt the communication and cause the gauge to malfunction.
4. Bad Ground Connection:
-A poor ground connection can lead to inaccurate readings on the fuel gauge. Check for loose or corroded ground connections.
5. Fuse Problem:
-A blown fuse in the vehicle's fuse box could disrupt the electrical circuit that powers the fuel gauge. Consult the vehicle's manual to locate and check the fuse related to fuel system.

Just fill the car's tank up and run it for 100 miles and then refill the tank to full again. Check the miles run and fuel amount added and then check the gauge position before and after the fill and calculate the Miles per gallon. This manual check will show if the fuel gauge is not reading accurately and if you are burning excessive fuel. If you are burning excessive fuel have the engine scanned as the computer may be generating some fault codes which will help point to the possible causes of the excessive fuel usage.

Your fuel has sensors to check. And if ever your check engine light goes on check it for free at auto zone

the fuel censor is not working and you can also locate the exact problem with the help of repair manual but if do not have the manual then you can go the given link from where you will get the manual easily http://toolsnyou.com/

gauge may be bad--car is 15yrs-the instrument cluster cud go bad and rebuild in order--if speedo goes-thats usually an indication---duble chec instalation on the pump-wires etc-view a repair manual--mite want to unplug computer then replug

Its very simple. If the gauge is showing half full then fill the tank and see how much fuel it takes. If the amount you add is approximately 50 percent of the fuel tank capacity then you know the fuel gauge is accurate . In that case the computer is giving an inaccurate reading and should be ignored. All you need is an accurate fuel gauge - it does not matter a row of beans what the computer says if the fuel gauge is reading correctly.

Most of the time its is the sending unit in the fuel tank. The test for it is to use a variable resistor that is hooked up to the wiring at the fuel tank and watch the fuel gauge if the gauge works ok thats makes 100% sure its the sending unit. At 245 ohms the gauge should read full, 180 ohms for 3/4 full, 160 ohms for 1/2 tank, 100 ohms for 1/4 tank and 42 ohms for empty. The color of wires at the fuel tank is purple wire and black wire. You can also use fixed value resisters. If the fuel gauge the wires from the sending unit to computer then to gauge for bad connections, shorts, broken wire and bad grounds. If the wires test ok that only leaves insterrment cluster or computer which even most dealers can't test eather one but the insterment cluster would be a more common problem then the computer. But about 95% of the time it will be the fuel level sensor in the gas tank that causes the problem. Good luck.

Fuel gauges in general are a separate from fuel pump circuits. Usually you start by finding the fuse panel and check the gauge fuse, if the rest of your gauges are working this usually means the fuse for all gauges including temp, oil, fuel are ok. Next you'll have to locate the sending unit wires at the fuel tank and look to see if any are disconnected or damaged and have good clean connections. Next consult a factory manual regarding the method of checking the gauge some companies ground the wire or while others manufacturers require a variable poteniometer usually between 0-100 ohms resistance. slowly turn the pot from 0 through the specs to cause the gauge to sweep from empty to full while watching the gauge making sure it sweeps smoothly. If the gauge is fine the tank will have to come down and a new sender installed, also while you in the tank check that the fuel gauge float does just that floats!

remove wires on tank unit ,multiplug and plug in another one and manually try that ,sure thats the problem the relay falling apart has nothing to do with problem of fuel gauge

Check this info for a better diagnostic and calibration: 93ZJ Service Manual / Secc 8E Instrument Cluster and Gauges

I hope that you can solve your problem.

Good luck!!!