Replaced in-tank fuel sending unit - car barely limping now

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jamie
  • Start date Start date
J

Jamie

I just replaced my in-tank sending unit from one from the parts yard.
I swapped out the whole assembly.

The car started fine, then enroute to the gas station began to run
VERY rough. I added 1/3 tank fuel and the gauge works, but I had to
pump the gas and limp the car home the 3 blocks from the gas station.

I'm not sure if I maybe have a bad pre-pump, or something else.

Anyone know what the limp-home mode of a replaced sending unit would
be?

Thanks,
Jamie
 
Jamie said:
I just replaced my in-tank sending unit from one from the parts yard.
I swapped out the whole assembly.

The car started fine, then enroute to the gas station began to run
VERY rough. I added 1/3 tank fuel and the gauge works, but I had to
pump the gas and limp the car home the 3 blocks from the gas station.

I'm not sure if I maybe have a bad pre-pump, or something else.

Anyone know what the limp-home mode of a replaced sending unit would
be?
Click to expand...

maybe a crimped return line causing vacuum in the tank? When it is
doing that open the gas cap and see if it gives a sucking whoosh
sound... Happens on my motorcycle when the cap is too tight....

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"
 
maybe a crimped return line causing vacuum in the tank? When it is
doing that open the gas cap and see if it gives a sucking whoosh
sound... Happens on my motorcycle when the cap is too tight....

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"
Click to expand...

No, no sounds.

I can't even get the car to stay running. It starts, then I can pump
the pedal to keep it alive for a few seconds, then it dies.
 
Jamie said:
No, no sounds.

I can't even get the car to stay running. It starts, then I can pump
the pedal to keep it alive for a few seconds, then it dies.
Click to expand...
It sure sounds like an air leak into the pickup. Even if the pump quits, the
main pump normally can suck gas out as long as there is gas in the line.
 
Jamie said:
No, no sounds.

I can't even get the car to stay running. It starts, then I can pump
the pedal to keep it alive for a few seconds, then it dies.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure what could have caused that, crimped fuel line to the main
pump perhaps? If you pull the thick rubber hose off the main pump under
the car and crank the engine, fuel should pour out at a pretty good
rate. Goes without saying that a jar or something will be needed.
 
Check your grounds and connections to be sure they are tight.
Click to expand...

You got it Duane.

I can't believe it - after more in-tank sender disassemblies - a dang
ground wire.

Here's the deal so far: I cut the ground off the car in the parts
yard. When I got home I took my old ground wire ring terminal and
soldered it onto the new wire. Lead solder, I assumed was OK.

So, I cut the soldered section out, twisted the wire together and
taped it, and VOILA the car starts and runs. I did a short drive to
the corner and it seems OK.

Unbelievable!

Thanks,

Jamie
 
You got it Duane.

I can't believe it - after more in-tank sender disassemblies - a dang
ground wire.

Here's the deal so far: I cut the ground off the car in the parts
yard. When I got home I took my old ground wire ring terminal and
soldered it onto the new wire. Lead solder, I assumed was OK.

So, I cut the soldered section out, twisted the wire together and
taped it, and VOILA the car starts and runs. I did a short drive to
the corner and it seems OK.

Unbelievable!

Thanks,

Jamie
Click to expand...

Nope! Dang - DEAD in water!

After I checked my ground the car started up right away and I drove
down the street. I got about 4 block and Kaput! Now the car won't
start. Luckily my wife can tow. LOL

What in the world? Only other guess is that when I pulled the hoses
off, I might have put a hole in a hose letting air in?

I checked, there was some roughage on one hose, so I coated it with
liquid electrical tape in hopes of sealing any pinhole leak. There are
no crimps, pinches or other blockages that I can see.

??????????
 
Jamie said:
Nope! Dang - DEAD in water!

After I checked my ground the car started up right away and I drove
down the street. I got about 4 block and Kaput! Now the car won't
start. Luckily my wife can tow. LOL

What in the world? Only other guess is that when I pulled the hoses
off, I might have put a hole in a hose letting air in?

I checked, there was some roughage on one hose, so I coated it with
liquid electrical tape in hopes of sealing any pinhole leak. There are
no crimps, pinches or other blockages that I can see.

??????????
Click to expand...


Have you checked your fuel pump relay? Could have failed by coincidence.
 
Check main fuse under hood on left fender. You may have picked up a
problem as to why the other car was in the boneyard. Bad fule pump pulling
too much juice cooks fuse.

My rule for salvage. If cosmetic any car will do. If for keeping the auto
running, car must have body damage sufficient to put it way beyond
repairability.

Duane
 
Have you checked your fuel pump relay? Could have failed by coincidence.
Click to expand...

Hey James,
I replaced it last year during overhaul, but think I have a spare.
Also, I pulled off the main fuel pump and filter. Main pump had bare
wire connections on purple and black. Going to rebuild wiring and
check. Also replace fuel filter while that's down.
 
Check main fuse under hood on left fender. You may have picked up a
problem as to why the other car was in the boneyard. Bad fule pump pulling
too much juice cooks fuse.

My rule for salvage. If cosmetic any car will do. If for keeping the auto
running, car must have body damage sufficient to put it way beyond
repairability.

Duane
Click to expand...

Duane, thanks I'll check that.

This started as a simple inspection for a <1/4 tank stall. Now I'm up
to my "buttocks " (Forrest Gump) in gas and grease.

$385 for a replacement hurts .

Thanks,
Jamie
 
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