Gas guage problems? - Focaljet

**darkness** · 04-08-2001, 05:08 PM

I've noticed in the last month or so my gas guage has been getting more and more innacurate. Then, the other day, I noticed that it read empty even though I had just filled up that morning. While I was stopped at a light, I restarted the car and it now worked fine. Hasn't happened since. Anybody else have this problem? I plan on telling the dealer when I take it in next.

------------------
Black '00 SE Sedan
Loaded, 5-Speed
Soon to be modded, unless
we get the ZX5

**Y2K ZX3** · 04-09-2001, 02:36 AM

darkness... this has occured with my ZX3 a few times over the last few months...only if I wait to gas up... when the red lite comes on...then it stays registered at E for quite awhile... even tried turning it off & on...I asked the dealer to look into it...on my last visit...but, when it reoccured the other week...I realized...they must not have done anything...

mom

**longbeachcarguy** · 04-09-2001, 01:47 PM

My car had this same problem. It will not go away on its own. The dealer mentioned that my car was one of several in for the same problem and they replace the sending unit in the tank as a fix. I just had them fix it Saturday, 4/08. NOTE, you need to take the car in below a 1/4 tank for them to fix it. NOW, I get the car back, fill it up Sunday (4/09) morning and fuel is leaking BIG time under the car. Ford will not send a tow crew out until the Fire Dept. declares it safe to tow. I had to be somewhere so let it sit. Mon AM, it was down to a small drip and only had leaked about a gallon, so drove it to the dealer. They have it now. MORAL: Make sure they leak test your tank with their EVAP system tester before you get the car back AND fill it up right after you leave the dealer to make sure it does not leak. C you at Knotts,

Mike

**tona58@aol.com** · 04-10-2001, 10:06 AM

I had one guage replaced and the second still sticks on empty after tank is filled. I think we all bought lemons.

**Michel416** · 04-12-2001, 11:17 PM

I have experienced the same problem. I have a 2000 Focus SE. After filling up at the gas station, the gas gauge would stay on "empty" for a day or so, apparently until the top of the tank was cleared again. Then the gauge would indicate properly again.
I reported this to the dealer and they fixed it. Looks like they replaced the in-tank electric fuel pump.

**Technarch** · 04-13-2001, 02:02 AM

I had my fuel sending unit replaced but Im not getting as good milage anymore. I just reset my ECU as an experiment to see if it's a computer issue cuz I was having an annoying idle as well due to dealership bungling. Fixed the idle, hopefully the milage.

The needle on my new FSU doesn't go all the way to the full position on a full tank of gas. The dealership told me that I need to have it replaced again when Ford designs a new one.

How can I tell if there is a gas leak? The milage loss is bugging me.

**Marction** · 04-15-2001, 05:36 AM

ditto for me...my fuel gauge sits at just below full when I fill up...and within 30km, it has moved down to closer to 3/4 (meanwhile when I had my Contour I could go at least 80Km without the friggin' needle moving from full).

Not a huge deal to me...I usually fill up when I hit 1/4 tank (1/2 in the winter), but it is annoying...if Ford gets a RELIABLE fix, I'll get it done. Did the dealer mention a date for a new one?

FlaFocus · 04-15-2001, 08:04 AM

Ditto on the fuel sending unit.

------------------
00 Focus SE Sedan CD Silver / Project Silver Ghost
Team Focaljet:Central Florida
Team SPI/4DOA
http://home.cfl.rr.com/onebadrf/
FlaFoci@cfl.rr.com IM = FlaFoci

**focalBlur** · 04-15-2001, 04:57 PM

Mine has alwasy been good but I had other weird probs like a domelight that would not turn on untill i restarted my car

who knows

------------------
Silver SE Ze-Tec
IM me at: Roninsage007
TEAM Mid-Atlantic
Find Hella bulbs and superwhites here really cheap <A HREF="http://catalog.com/susq/index.htm
DOT" TARGET=_blank>http://catalog.com/susq/index.htm</A>
DOT = Darkness Optimization Technologies
NHTSA = No Headlamps To See with in America

**focusr2000** · 04-15-2001, 05:15 PM

mine you had to turn the car on and off top get the needle from sticking on empty

**tomp** · 04-18-2001, 10:33 PM

My fuel gauge sticks every now and then. Usually when I am on Empty (yellow warning light) and I fill-up to Full. The gauge doesn't change until I restart the engine... sometimes I have to drive a few km and restart before the needle changes.

------------------
Stock '00 RF Green ZX3, 5sp, A/C, BMW Tip.

**MadDawg-Zx3** · 04-20-2001, 12:18 AM

Its because if you do not turn the key alllllll the way off before you start the car again after getting gas your gas gauge will read wrong until your car goes through 1 full Drive Cycle which would be about 3 miles at 55 MPH so there you go hope it helps

Mad Dawg

**Project ZXT** · 04-20-2001, 12:50 AM

I had that problem last year. The cause: Didn't remove the key from the ignition, and the digital fuel reader blown. Dealership replaced it for me for free, but just to tell you guys that when you have the sensor fixed, make sure your key is off, not attached to the ignition, when you are fueling up the tank.

------------------
ZXT:
Zetec/X-generation/Turbocharged

**TboneZX3** · 04-20-2001, 08:50 AM

Has anyone tried tapping on the clear plastic in front of the guage? My temp guage sticks all the time, but tapping on the guage with a knuckle makes it work immediately.

my $.02

------------------
Terry Underwood
'01 Pitch Black ZX3 / Premium Group / Moonroof
'94 Black Probe GT / K&N cone / Dunlop SP Sport 8000
'95 EB Bronco / 351W / Tow Pack

**photon6565** · 04-26-2001, 12:11 AM

just tell the dealer to fix the sending unit, cause this happened to mine and my sister zx3's 2 of em . after the units was chanmged they boht work good.

**SBC31** · 04-26-2001, 12:49 AM

Well I now get this problem, everytime I fill up. Today, I filled up with a 1/4 tank, and after starting the car, it still read 1/4 full.

So I got to a stop light, floored the car (spinning the tires) then by the time I got to the next light, the yellow empty light came on (go figure)

This is annoying but as long as the car runs I say screw it. I did notice that after driving the car a certain distance, eventually the gauge will read properly.

**JonBoy470** · 04-28-2001, 10:42 AM

Be diligent and try the "turn the car off and remove the key" trick first. Either you will have "mysteriously" fixed your problem, or you can say, "but I tried that and it still didn't work right!" when you bring it in to the dealer.

------------------
-Jon
2k ZX3, Infra-red, auto, air, cruise, tilt, pw/pl/pm, abs, var. int. wiper conversion, Sylvania XV headlights
IM: JonBoy470

**SBC31** · 04-30-2001, 04:17 PM

I always turn and take the key out when I fill up. Do some people leave the keys in the ignition when filling up, with the doors unlocker???

I don't live in a bad area but I wouldn't leave the keys in the ignition regardless.

Maybe I will see if my dealer will replace the fuel sending unit. I just hate that they have to take the gas tank off......Ford dealers are known to screw things up easily.

------------------
SBC31
2K CD Silver ZX3
Ontario, Canada

**Technarch** · 04-30-2001, 09:58 PM

Dont get the fuel sending units replaced just yet.. The ones that are being sent out right now are also defective so I'll have to get mine done again a 2nd time when they make them work properly.

04-08-2001, 05:08 PM	#1
darkness TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Lansing, Michigan, USA Posts: 729	Gas guage problems? I've noticed in the last month or so my gas guage has been getting more and more innacurate. Then, the other day, I noticed that it read empty even though I had just filled up that morning. While I was stopped at a light, I restarted the car and it now worked fine. Hasn't happened since. Anybody else have this problem? I plan on telling the dealer when I take it in next. ------------------ Black '00 SE Sedan Loaded, 5-Speed Soon to be modded, unless we get the ZX5

04-09-2001, 02:36 AM	#2
Y2K ZX3 I am THE Focaljet MOM! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Monroe,MI >>>Linda aka mom Posts: 5,288	Re: Gas guage problems? darkness... this has occured with my ZX3 a few times over the last few months...only if I wait to gas up... when the red lite comes on...then it stays registered at E for quite awhile... even tried turning it off & on...I asked the dealer to look into it...on my last visit...but, when it reoccured the other week...I realized...they must not have done anything... mom

04-09-2001, 01:47 PM	#3
longbeachcarguy Rookie Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Long Beach, CA USA Posts: 27	Re: Gas guage problems? My car had this same problem. It will not go away on its own. The dealer mentioned that my car was one of several in for the same problem and they replace the sending unit in the tank as a fix. I just had them fix it Saturday, 4/08. NOTE, you need to take the car in below a 1/4 tank for them to fix it. NOW, I get the car back, fill it up Sunday (4/09) morning and fuel is leaking BIG time under the car. Ford will not send a tow crew out until the Fire Dept. declares it safe to tow. I had to be somewhere so let it sit. Mon AM, it was down to a small drip and only had leaked about a gallon, so drove it to the dealer. They have it now. MORAL: Make sure they leak test your tank with their EVAP system tester before you get the car back AND fill it up right after you leave the dealer to make sure it does not leak. C you at Knotts, Mike

04-10-2001, 10:06 AM	#4
tona58@aol.com Rookie Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grand Island, NY USA Posts: 5	Re: Gas guage problems? I had one guage replaced and the second still sticks on empty after tank is filled. I think we all bought lemons.

04-12-2001, 11:17 PM	#5
Michel416 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 2	Re: Gas guage problems? I have experienced the same problem. I have a 2000 Focus SE. After filling up at the gas station, the gas gauge would stay on "empty" for a day or so, apparently until the top of the tank was cleared again. Then the gauge would indicate properly again. I reported this to the dealer and they fixed it. Looks like they replaced the in-tank electric fuel pump.

04-13-2001, 02:02 AM	#6
Technarch TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 433	Re: Gas guage problems? I had my fuel sending unit replaced but Im not getting as good milage anymore. I just reset my ECU as an experiment to see if it's a computer issue cuz I was having an annoying idle as well due to dealership bungling. Fixed the idle, hopefully the milage. The needle on my new FSU doesn't go all the way to the full position on a full tank of gas. The dealership told me that I need to have it replaced again when Ford designs a new one. How can I tell if there is a gas leak? The milage loss is bugging me.

04-15-2001, 05:36 AM	#7
Marction Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: (Mark) Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,384	Re: Gas guage problems? ditto for me...my fuel gauge sits at just below full when I fill up...and within 30km, it has moved down to closer to 3/4 (meanwhile when I had my Contour I could go at least 80Km without the friggin' needle moving from full). Not a huge deal to me...I usually fill up when I hit 1/4 tank (1/2 in the winter), but it is annoying...if Ford gets a RELIABLE fix, I'll get it done. Did the dealer mention a date for a new one?

04-15-2001, 08:04 AM	#8
FlaFocus [FJ] Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Your Anus Posts: 13,111	Re: Gas guage problems? Ditto on the fuel sending unit. ------------------ 00 Focus SE Sedan CD Silver / Project Silver Ghost Team Focaljet:Central Florida Team SPI/4DOA http://home.cfl.rr.com/onebadrf/ FlaFoci@cfl.rr.com IM = FlaFoci

04-15-2001, 04:57 PM	#9
focalBlur Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD, USA Posts: 2,857	Re: Gas guage problems? Mine has alwasy been good but I had other weird probs like a domelight that would not turn on untill i restarted my car who knows ------------------ Silver SE Ze-Tec IM me at: Roninsage007 TEAM Mid-Atlantic Find Hella bulbs and superwhites here really cheap <A HREF="http://catalog.com/susq/index.htm DOT" TARGET=_blank>http://catalog.com/susq/index.htm</A> DOT = Darkness Optimization Technologies NHTSA = No Headlamps To See with in America

04-15-2001, 05:15 PM	#10
focusr2000 TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: SAN DIEGO (CHULA VISTA) Posts: 436	Re: Gas guage problems? mine you had to turn the car on and off top get the needle from sticking on empty

04-18-2001, 10:33 PM	#11
tomp Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 90	Re: Gas guage problems? My fuel gauge sticks every now and then. Usually when I am on Empty (yellow warning light) and I fill-up to Full. The gauge doesn't change until I restart the engine... sometimes I have to drive a few km and restart before the needle changes. ------------------ Stock '00 RF Green ZX3, 5sp, A/C, BMW Tip.

04-20-2001, 12:18 AM	#12
MadDawg-Zx3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 1,400	Re: Gas guage problems? Its because if you do not turn the key alllllll the way off before you start the car again after getting gas your gas gauge will read wrong until your car goes through 1 full Drive Cycle which would be about 3 miles at 55 MPH so there you go hope it helps Mad Dawg

04-20-2001, 12:50 AM	#13
Project ZXT Rookie Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Rochester, NY U.S.A. Posts: 36	Re: Gas guage problems? I had that problem last year. The cause: Didn't remove the key from the ignition, and the digital fuel reader blown. Dealership replaced it for me for free, but just to tell you guys that when you have the sensor fixed, make sure your key is off, not attached to the ignition, when you are fueling up the tank. ------------------ ZXT: Zetec/X-generation/Turbocharged

04-20-2001, 08:50 AM	#14
TboneZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: SwampEast Missouri Posts: 375	Re: Gas guage problems? Has anyone tried tapping on the clear plastic in front of the guage? My temp guage sticks all the time, but tapping on the guage with a knuckle makes it work immediately. my $.02 ------------------ Terry Underwood '01 Pitch Black ZX3 / Premium Group / Moonroof '94 Black Probe GT / K&N cone / Dunlop SP Sport 8000 '95 EB Bronco / 351W / Tow Pack

04-26-2001, 12:11 AM	#15
photon6565 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: irvine,ca,usa Posts: 493	Re: Gas guage problems? just tell the dealer to fix the sending unit, cause this happened to mine and my sister zx3's 2 of em . after the units was chanmged they boht work good.

04-26-2001, 12:49 AM	#16
SBC31 TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 222	Re: Gas guage problems? Well I now get this problem, everytime I fill up. Today, I filled up with a 1/4 tank, and after starting the car, it still read 1/4 full. So I got to a stop light, floored the car (spinning the tires) then by the time I got to the next light, the yellow empty light came on (go figure) This is annoying but as long as the car runs I say screw it. I did notice that after driving the car a certain distance, eventually the gauge will read properly.

04-28-2001, 10:42 AM	#17
JonBoy470 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Manchester, NH, USA Posts: 846	Re: Gas guage problems? Be diligent and try the "turn the car off and remove the key" trick first. Either you will have "mysteriously" fixed your problem, or you can say, "but I tried that and it still didn't work right!" when you bring it in to the dealer. ------------------ -Jon 2k ZX3, Infra-red, auto, air, cruise, tilt, pw/pl/pm, abs, var. int. wiper conversion, Sylvania XV headlights IM: JonBoy470

04-30-2001, 04:17 PM	#18
SBC31 TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 222	Re: Gas guage problems? I always turn and take the key out when I fill up. Do some people leave the keys in the ignition when filling up, with the doors unlocker??? I don't live in a bad area but I wouldn't leave the keys in the ignition regardless. Maybe I will see if my dealer will replace the fuel sending unit. I just hate that they have to take the gas tank off......Ford dealers are known to screw things up easily. ------------------ SBC31 2K CD Silver ZX3 Ontario, Canada

04-30-2001, 09:58 PM	#19
Technarch TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 433	Re: Gas guage problems? Dont get the fuel sending units replaced just yet.. The ones that are being sent out right now are also defective so I'll have to get mine done again a 2nd time when they make them work properly.

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