Odd fuel gauge question(s).
From : zed
Q: no quick tests for oil other than the falling ball to test viscosity. a typical lab charges between $30-$40 for a full test. coasty hi i heard there was some kind of litmus paper that could be used to test the radiator water to determine if there is oil in the water jacket. anyone know what kind of test paper that is is there some kind of instant test i could do on the engine oil to determine the engine condition any other types of tests available to test a used truck tim .
Replies:
From : christopher thompson
on 19 jan 2006 141523 -0800 mr burns briansantoro@yahoo.com wrote find out if your dodge dealer will replace it for free. i just got a letter here in ontario canada from dodge saying that if mine fails the etest they will replace the cat for free. mine is a 99 dakota had the cat replace about 2-3 year into owning it. the letter says the warranty period has been extended to dec 302006 or 10years or 200000km which ever is later. in addition it says if i fail the e-test before dec 302007 due to defective cat or abd test with cat effieciency cod the cat will be replaced free of charge. too bad they wont extend it to the crappy bolts holding the exhaust manifold on. kilmister and the answer is they have extended it in the u. s. for ten years or 120000 miles. however my vin number does not show up on the list even though the epa press release says that models from 1996-2001 are being replaced. chrysler refuses to tell me why mine was excluded. the epa press release was very specific about the failure mode and that is exactly the way mine has failed. im pressing forward put pushing the big corp bureaurcracy along and dont expect much. thanks anyway for the heads up on the extension. frank .
From : carolina watercraft works
either way on the 97 either the tank is coming down or the bed coming off to get to that sensor. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving on mine the actual contacts were damaged and beyond repair. think about it...the brand part is $40...why go through all the trouble to remove the tank and assembly take time to try and machine something and more downtime than necessary when you can be done in less than maybe an hour. but that all depends on your skill level. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. but the actual contacts are likely part of the pump assembly. i dont think they are. id rather repair the part than replace it. check out these repair procedures http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/sender.htm http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/hueyc-sender.htm -- ken .
From : nosey
on mine the actual contacts were damaged and beyond repair. think about it...the brand part is $40...why go through all the trouble to remove the tank and assembly take time to try and machine something and more downtime than necessary when you can be done in less than maybe an hour. but that all depends on your skill level. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. but the actual contacts are likely part of the pump assembly. i dont think they are. id rather repair the part than replace it. check out these repair procedures http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/sender.htm http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/hueyc-sender.htm -- ken .
From : lorne guess noguess net
hi my dakotas abs brakes have the following odd behavior when the vehicle is about to stop the brakes rapidly pulse click drop pressure which is quickly recovered when a servo motor kicks in with a loud buzz. it only happens when you are just about stopped very low speed. the brakes are smooth and stop normal at all other times. it cannot be normal operation for a brake system. no warning lights come on at any time. has anyone had this behavior before any ideas on what is wrong dean .
From : max dodge
possibly spark knock or frozen belt tensioner causing belt noise. i have a 97 ram and when iam going down the highway or long stretch of road i here a clicking/chirping coming from the engine only during acceleration and going over 40 mph when i let off the gas it goes away. any ideas thanks. .
From : nosey
any info would be helpful you step on the pedal and the truck slows down... can you be a wee bit more specific on what youre asking .
From : christopher thompson
thanks for the response chris. the fuse is not in the pdc. i have a hunch that it is an in-line fuse but i cannot find it. the factory manual shows everything but the location. bob have you checked the power distribution center under the hood should be labled on the lid. .
From : beekeep
so youre making a neat utility vehicle out of your long box gmc beats ... it would be sort of like the old amry mules but a lot bigger. http//www.olive-drab.com/images/idm274full.jpg i love the mule but dont need it legal -- quebec is too tough for licenced vehicles but not bad on licencing trailers -- just have to weld up a proper front end and prove you own it still have ontario ownership and owned it in alberta since 1999 old trusty rusty i know what i want to do -- the rest will be just fun to figure out -- why not keep it looking like a gm van might be whimically funny for towing my dodges lol i will leave what i dont need to remove because it wont be on the road much weight is not an issue too much unless it is wasted weight but i will keep minimal sides on it i had toyed with the idea of either adding custom reinforced loading rams that extend and fold up to accomodate the length of a ram or hydraulic bed -- my totally francophone neighbour with a heart of gold made his own hydraulic log splitter equivalent to $3000 models and has already repaired it one -- could get the knowhow from him -- i am welding up a trailer from my 91 dakota parts truck bed -- and see if that is feasible later on this summer after the functionality and bed are made and the trailer is passed ;- it would be cool to have something for construction as well and not have to modify the cab area too much -- hoist up materials for the house which still needs siding; haul out logs from the forest -- which you can do for free here with a 4x4 and winch because i live in the styx -- where else can you buy 1 acre with 2bdrm bungalow well septic and mountain views for under 40k cdn p.s. if you married me you might die too -- these things they say come in threes! lol .
From : rachel easson
rachel impressive mechanical knowledge. are you a female i hope so lol ive just had a lot of similar problems and no money and always tried to learn what i can actually music degree but i joke around that i have honourary degrees in beer and sex! -- lots of time though i dont know a lot but am not too bad with stuff i can get at and picked up a few things divorced my 1st husband mechanic chronic alcoholic and yeah we get along well with 2500 miles between us and a 10 yr old son then i lived common-law with my next hubby used auto parts manager for 18 yrs converted me to dodge -- then died of heart attack at 46 -- family got the mint 1970 440 chrysler300 -- i dug my heels in over the impact tools etc i have consolidated down to 7 dodges a 1.6l 76 vw vanagon and a long box 350 gmc 2500 body shot -- soon to become a trailer complete with 2 axles electric brakes and the 350 motor so i can still drive the trailer around my acre but take it out to fetch the odd thing -- quebec safeties are 200 point check but i will only have to fit new brakes and make it look good for a trailer licence i am taking an oxy-acetylene course so i know how to safely use our torches before i start cutting &/or welding on 8 vehicles come spring .
From : tbone
the external contacts are part of the pump housing and if that is where his problem is then the entire pump would need to be replaced or the housing modified. if you look at both links that you provided you will see that the sending units in both links have internal connector tabs not wires which indicates clearly that they are intended to be plugged into the internal pump housing existing wiring. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. but the actual contacts are likely part of the pump assembly. i dont think they are. id rather repair the part than replace it. check out these repair procedures http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/sender.htm http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/hueyc-sender.htm -- ken .
From : frank boettcher
i have a 74 81 86 86 and had a 90 ram if your mechanic didnt plug the egr he might not have plugged other parts -- or removed them for installation -- may have removed the engine light or simply unplugged it check behind the dash facing -- so that you would not get any indications of problems definitely i would suspect the egr first to egr amplifier to egr solenoid ccegr if equipped also goes from egr then to amplifier which goes to carb so does solenoid so look for hookups if not i suspect you have done a lot of these things already -- not to insult your intelligence but sometimes we forget the obvious and you probably know how to test meters and guages not idiot light but some readers may want to know if you do not have a plastic tank see if it runs smoother with more gas in the tank -- could be sludge -- if this fixes the problem you are lucky -- clean out the carb and keep enough gas in it until spring then clean out your tank and check sending unit check the plugs for oil buildup other diagnostic problems such as mechanical damage -- which could indicate motor not done right pcv valve old also be the carb -- you have probably adjusted the curb and fast idling but check choke /carb springs work properly and none are missing -- holes or places for spings that are not attached to springs take off top half check gasket and clean -- holley 6280 -- check air temp sensor plugged in and grounded choke temp guage o2 sensor fuel filter fuel pump presuure problem gas filter air filter or other components on the intake portion of air filter pan coil -- there are so many things thermostat put in boiling water -- it should open check for vacuum leaks-- look for old hose and make sure all hoses connected properly then if good wd40 sections of hose at a time which temporarily seals a leak and listen to the idling -- if it improves you have found a leak if nothing seems faulty here get a tester/guage and check anyway -- very common cause of idling rough do you smell gas when it runs rough or does it seem to be choking from lack of oxygen -- fuel pump or could even be gas line if it idles rough could also be timing -- check with timing light -- mark with white pencil and look for slippage could be distributor too -- you know to check firing order first before removal of old one then start with replacing the cap and rotor -- and do the wires at the same time for good measure -- you will know to check at night first and look for any sparks -- if yes those wires are bad. keep the ones in good shape in case you need one in a pinch and if you decide to remove the distributor scribe or use a white pencil to mark the alignment between the number one on cap and base so you can easily find top-dead-centre later best of luck rachel its a professionally rebuilt 318 with 3000 miles at most. the truck has like 89000 on it. i plugged the egr valve because i questioned if it was working and it ran fine plugged. a mechanic friend of mine said it would be fine and it is not needed. but im sure he could have been mistaken. still unsure. -- message posted via carkb.com http//www.carkb.com/uwe/forums.aspx/dodge-truck/200601/1 .
From : carolina watercraft works
on wed 18 jan 2006 004151 -0800 zed gr8scot25@hotmail.com wrote hi - two days ago the fuel gauge in my 97 dodge ram stopped working - read empty fuel light on even though i knew i had plenty. so... i did group searching this is a great group btw and figured i was in for a sender replacement. today on the way to work i um -happened- to drive across a traffic island to avoid a slowdown. when i landed boing the gauge started working again. what are the odds of this being a somewhat permanent fix if it happens again should i just drive willy-nilly over concrete barriers and save some money thanks -scott ok the last one was facetious - havent done that on my truck but recently did it on my t & c and i think it is the same. sensor/float assembly is attached to the fuel pump but can be removed and replaced independent of the fuel pump. the part that fails is the slide area that looks like a reostat. cant be fixed is what i was told has to be replaced. hard part is dropping the tank to get it out not changing it. im told that certain gas additives might cause the premature failure with shell gas in certain locations being suspect. dont know if that is true or legend. in your case i would wait a while. could just have gotten stuck. mine started giving intermittant bad readings and what finally got me to change it was the incessant ringing of the low fuel chime. i tried to find a way to disconnect the chime but on the t & c at least it cant be done without cutting the wires and i was warned that it might cause other problems if i did that. frank .
From : carolina watercraft works
on tue 17 jan 2006 204656 -0500 christopher thompson kf4drr@alltel.net wrote the tach was fastest. mph and fuel matched speeds in diff directions *grin* yeah i had an old vett like that... burned a lot of gas to go a mile in a hurry but you damn sure had fun going that mile.. *g* mac please remove splinters before emailing .
From : tbone
that is correct. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels either way on the 97 either the tank is coming down or the bed coming off to get to that sensor. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving on mine the actual contacts were damaged and beyond repair. think about it...the brand part is $40...why go through all the trouble to remove the tank and assembly take time to try and machine something and more downtime than necessary when you can be done in less than maybe an hour. but that all depends on your skill level. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. but the actual contacts are likely part of the pump assembly. i dont think they are. id rather repair the part than replace it. check out these repair procedures http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/sender.htm http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/hueyc-sender.htm -- ken .
From : max dodge
actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. but the actual contacts are likely part of the pump assembly. i dont think they are. id rather repair the part than replace it. check out these repair procedures http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/sender.htm http//www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/fuelsender/hueyc-sender.htm -- ken .
From : tbone
hhmm....i must apologize then....i was assuming the 97 was the same as the 01. my bad. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels actually in this case max is right. while the fuel sending unit can be replaced in a 97 it still requires removal of the pump since the mounting screws for the sender are attached to the side of it and the connector is part of the pump housing so if it went bad..... how do i know this because i just did it on mine replaced the pump. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving nope just 2 leads and youre done. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. but the actual contacts are likely part of the pump assembly. -- max there are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty soap ballot jury and ammo. please use in that order. -ed howdershelt author actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels the contacts are dirty or worn out on the fuel level float. they are open contacts and sometimes they get crudded over but most of the time they just wear out. you cannot just change the float it is integerated into the fuel pump. a new fuel pump is around $180.00 dollars. coasty hi - two days ago the fuel gauge in my 97 dodge ram stopped working - read empty fuel light on even though i knew i had plenty. so... i did group searching this is a great group btw and figured i was in for a sender replacement. today on the way to work i um -happened- to drive across a traffic island to avoid a slowdown. when i landed boing the gauge started working again. what are the odds of this being a somewhat permanent fix if it happens again should i just drive willy-nilly over concrete barriers and save some money thanks -scott ok the last one was facetious - .
From : carolina watercraft works
actually in this case max is right. while the fuel sending unit can be replaced in a 97 it still requires removal of the pump since the mounting screws for the sender are attached to the side of it and the connector is part of the pump housing so if it went bad..... how do i know this because i just did it on mine replaced the pump. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving nope just 2 leads and youre done. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. but the actual contacts are likely part of the pump assembly. -- max there are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty soap ballot jury and ammo. please use in that order. -ed howdershelt author actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels the contacts are dirty or worn out on the fuel level float. they are open contacts and sometimes they get crudded over but most of the time they just wear out. you cannot just change the float it is integerated into the fuel pump. a new fuel pump is around $180.00 dollars. coasty hi - two days ago the fuel gauge in my 97 dodge ram stopped working - read empty fuel light on even though i knew i had plenty. so... i did group searching this is a great group btw and figured i was in for a sender replacement. today on the way to work i um -happened- to drive across a traffic island to avoid a slowdown. when i landed boing the gauge started working again. what are the odds of this being a somewhat permanent fix if it happens again should i just drive willy-nilly over concrete barriers and save some money thanks -scott ok the last one was facetious - .
From : carolina watercraft works
hi i heard there was some kind of litmus paper that could be used to test the radiator water to determine if there is oil in the water jacket. anyone know what kind of test paper that is is there some kind of instant test i could do on the engine oil to determine the engine condition any other types of tests available to test a used truck if you suspect oil in the water why buy the truck most people selling a used truck will change the oil prior to advertiseing it for sale. roy .
From : coasty uscgret at comcast dot net
actually yes you can change just the float...about $40.00 for the part. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi cool toys formerly carolina watercraft works ice angels the contacts are dirty or worn out on the fuel level float. they are open contacts and sometimes they get crudded over but most of the time they just wear out. you cannot just change the float it is integerated into the fuel pump. a new fuel pump is around $180.00 dollars. coasty hi - two days ago the fuel gauge in my 97 dodge ram stopped working - read empty fuel light on even though i knew i had plenty. so... i did group searching this is a great group btw and figured i was in for a sender replacement. today on the way to work i um -happened- to drive across a traffic island to avoid a slowdown. when i landed boing the gauge started working again. what are the odds of this being a somewhat permanent fix if it happens again should i just drive willy-nilly over concrete barriers and save some money thanks -scott ok the last one was facetious - .