Fuel gauge on empty when tank is full

[nadimchenia]

Hi everyone, i would really appreciate some advice please, i have a ford transit 350, reg is NL64 AVB, every now and again the fuel gauge is shooting to zero even when we have diesel, the van then cuts out as the gauge is showing zero, then we can fix the issue by giving the fuel tank a few bangs, which then takes the gauge back to its correct level, can anyone tell me what exactly the problem may be? I am just trying to work out what part i need, and where i can but it from.

Thanks so much in advance, Nadim

[knobby1]

Sounds like the gauge float in the tank is sticking. Tank out job to fix unfortunately.

The system will shut the engine down if it senses very low or no fuel, this helps prevent high pressure fuel pump damage due to no lubrication.

Lord Knobrot

[Rollingbob]

What do you mean sticking Knobby?...i'm getting this after taking out sender to inspect seal. Guess i didn't put it back properly somehow - was fine before lol.

[knobby1]

What do you mean sticking Knobby?...i'm getting this after taking out sender to inspect seal. Guess i didn't put it back properly somehow - was fine before lol.

The "float" on the sender unit itself can possibly get hooked on a rib or something in the tank or the steel wire holding it can get bent causing a miss-read.

The old-school fuel tank sender units had hollow floats which could split, fill with fuel and sink to the bottom of the tank...which would always indicate the tank was empty.

Lord Knobrot

[Rollingbob]

Right thanks. I think its got hooked down by the diesel heater sender pipe (long metal one) which is right next to it.

[knobby1]

Right thanks. I think its got hooked down by the diesel heater sender pipe (long metal one) which is right next to it.

That could do it..!

Lord Knobrot

[Rollingbob]

Hooked on the bottom of the sender unit itself

[nadimchenia]

Sounds like the gauge float in the tank is sticking. Tank out job to fix unfortunately.

The system will shut the engine down if it senses very low or no fuel, this helps prevent high pressure fuel pump damage due to no lubrication.

Lord Knobrot

Thank you very much for the reply, is it something that can be fixed? or should I get a new sender unit?

thanks in advance, much appreciated

[nadimchenia]

Sounds like the gauge float in the tank is sticking. Tank out job to fix unfortunately.

The system will shut the engine down if it senses very low or no fuel, this helps prevent high pressure fuel pump damage due to no lubrication.

Lord Knobrot

Thank you very much for the reply, is it something that can be fixed? or should I get a new sender unit?

thanks in advance, much appreciated

[knobby1]

Sounds like the gauge float in the tank is sticking. Tank out job to fix unfortunately.

The system will shut the engine down if it senses very low or no fuel, this helps prevent high pressure fuel pump damage due to no lubrication.

Lord Knobrot

Thank you very much for the reply, is it something that can be fixed? or should I get a new sender unit?

thanks in advance, much appreciated

Hmmm, has been well over 2 years.....Have you actually removed it to have a look to see if it is actually sticking, damaged or hooked on something..?? Yes it can be fixed....but you need to know what to fix first.

Lord Knobrot