Explorer gas gauge past full?

98modmustang

98modmustang

Forum Member
I have a 1996 Ford Explorer with the 4.0L and an automatic transmission. Here is my problem. The gas gauge is pegged past full and I can't figure out why. This is everything that I have done so far. I have disconnected the connector to the fuel pump to see if the gauge would go down and nothing happen. Then I check to see if there is a short to ground in the wiring and I couldn't find any problems. Then I took the slosh module out of the cluster and the gauge went down to half tank (Didn't move from there but it went down). And I made sure the gauge was not just stuck above full (its not). So I just got a new module and cluster and tried that and still the same results as before. I dont know what the problem is. Any suggestions? And if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Thank you,
Sam
 
the fuel sender is bad in the tank and its sold as a module with the fuel pump. the part alone is over $200. i just replaced mine.
 
I thought that it was the module also but I have gotten another gauge cluster and module that was working and I got the same results as before.

As far as the sending unit I would think that if that is bad then the gauge would go to empty not full. I always thought that a short to ground would cause the gauge to go to full.
 
well believe what you want. drive around like that. i just told you how to fix it. my gauge was stuck past full.
 
98modmustang said:
I thought that it was the module also but I have gotten another gauge cluster and module that was working and I got the same results as before.

As far as the sending unit I would think that if that is bad then the gauge would go to empty not full. I always thought that a short to ground would cause the gauge to go to full.
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The sender is a big resistor, if a resitor goes bad there either open or no resistance, hence it would act like a short to ground showing a full tank.

Change the sender like anthony said.
 
Okay i just wasn't sure. Why would the gauge go down to half when I take that module out then? I know these are stupid questions just want to learn as much as possible. And also woundn't the gauge go down when I disconnect the wiring to the fuel pump and sending unit. Since I am creating an open.
 
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98modmustang said:
Okay i just wasn't sure. Why would the gauge go down to half when I take that module out then? I know these are stupid questions just want to learn as much as possible. And also woundn't the gauge go down when I disconnect the wiring to the fuel pump and sending unit. Since I am creating an open.
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I would try to find a pin out for the module/trouble shoot write up that has instructions how to check it, same with the sender.
You should be able to unplug at the tank find the pins for the send circut on the top of the fuel pump/tank. (prob have to take the pump out at this point)

but use a ohm meter and sweep the float should read within XXX specs prob listed in dealership manual.
 
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