96 thunderbird fuel guage

[ton6y]

Sup guys, new to the forum and i gotta a question!!!!

So does anybody know what to fix or what commonly causes the fuel guage to just die???, I have a 96 Thunderbird with the v6, not the v8. I dont want to replace entire fuel system just to find out what was wrong, but i bet it is either a fuse or a floater issue.

well just decided to post to find out?

tony

[Stevo2]

The first thing I would check/clean would be the connections at the fuel pump, especially the ground.

[ton6y]

Well i haven't checked the connections yet, i should in the next few days. Anyway if the connections are alright and the sending unit is fucked, according to chilton i gotta take the whole damn gas tank out. Thats gonnaa suck
tony

[TerminalVelocity]

sad but true.

It could be your gage, try wraping a hammer (preferably a mallet) with a towel and lightly lightly hitting the dash and everywhere around it. Check voltage also if you feel so inclined, take apart your dash and check to see if you got voltage to it, and going to the pump. If the signal isnt able to go to and from *a brake in the wire anotherwards* that would probally be easier to fix than droping the tank. If you drop the tank be EXTREMLY carefull, it CAN and WILL spill gas, or worse yet, go blow up on you if you drop something in it etc. The fumes are far more expolosive than the liquid. When you use gas in the engine, you use 1 part gas to 1000parts air (no, but it gives the idea) so basically your tank would be like a big bomb if your not carefull

Anotherwards...it may be worth it to have a pro fix it...

[Stevo2]

Fuel System
MULTI-POINT INJECTION (EFI) AND SEQUENTIAL FUEL INJECTION (SEFI)

Fuel Tank


REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1993-96 Models
Disconnect the negative battery cable and relieve the fuel system pressure.
Siphon or pump as much fuel as possible out through the fuel filler pipe.
All vehicles have reservoirs inside the fuel tank to maintain fuel near the fuel pickup during cornering and under low fuel operating conditions. These reservoirs could block siphon tubes or hoses from reaching the bottom of the fuel tank. Repeated attempts using different hose orientations can overcome this obstacle.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the exhaust pipe and exhaust shield, if equipped. Disconnect the fuel fill and vent hoses connecting the filler pipe to the tank. Disconnect one end of the vapor crossover hose at the rear over the driveshaft.
If equipped with a metal retainer that fastens the filler pipe to the fuel tank, remove the screw attaching the retainer to the fuel tank flange.
Disconnect the fuel lines and the electrical connector to the fuel tank sending unit. On some vehicles, these are inaccessible on top of the tank. In these cases they must be disconnected with the tank partially removed.
Place a safety support under the fuel tank and remove the bolts from the fuel tank straps. Allow the straps to swing out of the way. Be careful not to deform the fuel tank.
Partially remove the tank and disconnect the fuel lines and electrical connector from the sending unit, if required.
Remove the tank from the vehicle.
To install:
Raise the fuel tank into position in the vehicle. Connect the fuel lines and sending unit electrical connector if it is necessary to connect them before the tank is in the final installed position.
Lubricate the fuel filler pipe with water base tire mounting lubricant and install the tank onto the filler pipe, then bring the tank into final position. Be careful not to deform the tank.
Bring the fuel tank straps around the tank and start the retaining nut or bolt. Align the tank with the straps. If equipped, make sure the fuel tank shields are installed with the straps and are positioned correctly on the tank. Align the tank with the driveshaft.
Check the hoses and wiring mounted on the tank top to make sure they are correctly routed and will not be pinched between the tank and body. Make sure the fuel vent hose is positioned above the vent retainer and not contacting the driveshaft.
Tighten the fuel tank strap retaining nuts or bolts to 22-30 ft. lbs. (29-41 Nm).
If not already connected, connect the fuel hoses and lines which were disconnected. Make sure the fuel supply, fuel return, if present, and vapor vent connections are made correctly. If not already connected, connect the sending unit electrical connector.
Install the exhaust pipe shield, if equipped, and exhaust pipe.
Lower the vehicle. Replace the fuel that was drained from the tank. Check all connections for leaks.

[Fmustang76]

I have a 1989 Thunderbird. Have had problems with the fuel gauge sometimes working and other times being stuck on full all the time. Replaced the gauge twice with no luck. Disconnected the wiring plug going into the gas tank. Eliminated the two wires that power the fuel pump. Jumped the remaining two sending unit wires together and found my gauge worked and went to empty when jumpered. Took the tank out and examined the sending unit and found that the electrical arms in the sending unit were not making contact. I made the repair to allow them to make contact. I plugged the sending unit harness in out of the tank, turned the key on(removed the fuel pump fuse so as to not burn up the fuel pump, or blow it up)and had a friend watch the gauge as I moved the level up and down. It worked so I put it all back together. All worked for about 2 months. Now it is not working again. Just thought I would share how I determined it was the sending unit and not the gauge and how long the fix worked. I am also interested in knowing if anyone out there knows where I can get one that is plug in and go , not a universal one( besides the dealer since they want $500+ and not the junkyard since they remove all fuel tanks here) Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

I found some here but not factory replacements

http://store.yahoo.com/gofast/jazlevsenun.html