fuel pressure sending unit

[capt512]

My gas gauge has the typical drop off of the early 03 models and am looking to fix this. Apparently the fix is to replace the fuel pressure sending unit? Is this a part that needs to be oem Ford? Or should any be fine? Where is the unit, and what all needs to be done to fix? Looked for a thread but have a horrible time with search on this site.

[J.bo]

What is the typical drop off? Was there a problem with the gauges?

[FordNut]

If you change it, it is the fuel level sensor, located in the gas tank.

[capt512]

Well that sounds like a PITA. My drop off is about 20-30 miles from full to 3/4 of a tank, and then the low fuel light comes on at 1/4 tank.

[SC Cheesehead]

Well that sounds like a PITA. My drop off is about 20-30 miles from full to 3/4 of a tank, and then the low fuel light comes on at 1/4 tank.

If it's consistent, why is this a problem? Just sounds like one of the nuances of the car.

Mine drops off between 3/4 and a 1/2 tank, and I rarely let the low fuel light come on, but I think it occurs around 1/8th full.

[capt512]

It may not be enough of a problem to justify replacement, I just generally fill my tank at 3/4 full every time, so its annoying thats all.

[SC Cheesehead]

It may not be enough of a problem to justify replacement, I just generally fill my tank at 3/4 full every time, so its annoying thats all.

Agreed on the annoying, but one just gets used to it. ;)

I usually fill mine when it gets down around 1/2 tank.

[TFB]

I usually fill mine when I have money....:lol:

I noticed the quick fall on mine when coming home from Chicago after buying it... At first I thought whoa, this thing must be getting 10mpg but after it drops like a rock to around 3/4, it slows considerably from that point on... I dunno when(if) the low fuel light comes on, been down around a quarter and it's yet to come on...

As long as I know what to expect, I don't really car how it operates...

[Chevyguy]

Mine drops like a rock once past 1/2 but the low fuel light comes on at empty which is very soon after 1/4 tank and Occurs with less than 1 gallon left!!!!! I crapped myself when it took over 18 gallons to fill.

I was used to my other panthers declaring empty with nearly 4 gallons left now I know to fill before it gets to 1/4 that takes about 15 gallons.

[capt512]

Well my fuel light came on at 4 gallons left, replaced my fuel gauge cluster piece thinking that would help (before posting this), and now its not working at all. So gonna have to go back in and swap it back out (unit I swapped in was out of a 01 CV, so didn't know if it would work or not...though did look the same).

[screamn]

I always keep my gas tank filled & never let it fall below 1/2.

I also never let my low fuel light come on or go below 1/4 tank as the gas helps lubricate & keep the fuel pump cool.

Also, sucking up all that crap..rubbish at the bottom of tank is not good for fuel pump.:shake:

[FordNut]

I always run mine way below empty. Keeps all that trash from accumulating in the tank...:burnout:

[LANDY]

I also run mine really low most times. My low fuel light comes on and i still have 3 gallons left.

[FordNut]

Yep, about 50 more miles...

[TFB]

I always keep my gas tank filled & never let it fall below 1/2.

I also never let my low fuel light come on or go below 1/4 tank as the gas helps lubricate & keep the fuel pump cool.

Also, sucking up all that crap..rubbish at the bottom of tank is not good for fuel pump.:shake:

The pump is basically on the bottom of the tank, I doubt running one low has much effect other than maybe the pump running warmer than if it were fully submerged... Still the pumps on the returnless system like in the Marauder run on roughly half of the normal battery voltage, any temp rise is likely negligible...

[omarauder]

Try running a can of Fuel Injector Cleaner or Seafoam thru your tank. It may take a few days to a week to work. I've heard that the additives in gasoline can react with the sensor (reostat type) windings, over time, leaving a coating which throws off the gauge indications. Doing this every so often worked for me and the indicator went back to normal indications.

[RF Overlord]

The pump is basically on the bottom of the tank, I doubt running one low has much effect other than maybe the pump running warmer than if it were fully submerged.It's not so much that low fuel level is the problem, it's that it has been determined that the baffling (or lack thereof) in the tank causes fuel to run away from the pickup under hard acceleration with under 1/4 tank and can possibly starve the pump.


Try running a can of Fuel Injector Cleaner or Seafoam thru your tank. I've heard that the additives in gasoline can react with the sensor (reostat type) windings, over time, leaving a coating which throws off the gauge indications. You need an additive with PEA (polyetheramine) for that...I know Chevron Techron has it (they invented it), and also Gumout's Regane. Most other ordinary "fuel injector cleaners" are primarily kerosene.

[TFB]

It's not so much that low fuel level is the problem, it's that it has been determined that the baffling (or lack thereof) in the tank causes fuel to run away from the pickup under hard acceleration with under 1/4 tank and can possibly starve the pump.


Yeah I have that problem with a '88 T-Bird with a built 5.0, only it will fall on it's face at a third of a tank... Has a wide, flat bottom tank, 5 gal doesn't give more than two inches of fuel to draw from...The Bird has a baffle but is apparently not meant for "sudden" acceleration...