Fuel guage problems w/my'97

[Randeaux]

Finally! I have a relevant, genuine issue related to my Town Car. My '97 has the digital guage cluster,okay, now, let me explain. Last week I had hit an unexpected bump in the road and bottomed-out the gas tank was freshley filled to the brim not even a mile earlier. Ever since then, whenever my DTE function gets down to 350 miles or less and I hit any slight bump the DTE function zips back up to about 475 mi's and my fuel guage never budges from indicating that it's filled completely. I've had the car long enough to know that when I'm Sticking around town I usually get 310 miles on a 17.5-18 gallon fill-up. Right now I've got around 130 miles since the last fill-up( which is usually indicated as 1/4 tank(+or-) used on the tank level light bar. It is indicating full, as mentioned earlier. I consulted the owner's manual, the owner's manual stated if a problem came up with the fuel guage, the two upper-most and lower-most segments of the light bar would be the only segments appearing, and when switched over to the "fuel remain" or "Distance to Empty(DTE)" fields the display would read "CO" or "CS". HOWEVER< none of these signals are happening> (and I fill my tank to the filler neck) (That may be what I might be doing wrong)I don't know. It could be anything from the filler cap not being on tight enough :slam to maybe me needing to disconnect the battery for 15 minutes to "reset" the entire car(like I have to do with my Dakota every 15,000 miles) I would appreciate any insight of what the problem may be and if there is a simple solution to this problem.Thank You. :feedback :waving:

 

[Randeaux]

I forgot, I also put 600 highway miles a few days before dealing with an emergency trip up to Tennessee for my girlfriend. And I know the trip computer is affected every 500 miles. (I may be crying over spilled milk, but, things like this drive me crazy!)

 

[Pepsi2185]

So the fuel gauge and the DTE is off??

If the gauge is bad too I would say pull the negative and let it sit for at least a half hour. It shoulds like maybe the fuel gauge has lost its orientation. If not the resistive element may be broken.

If the fueld gauge works and it is just the DTE part of the computer that has gone bad, that is going to be hard to find. I would still say pull the battery terminals, if it is not a damaged circuit, it would be reset with that.

Keep us posted

 

[thamarkman]

Maybe that bump in the road screwed up the float that measures gas in your tank. It may be to the point that when you hit another small bump the float or fuel sending unit might get stuck in the full reading position. Those are just my thoughts.

 

[Randeaux]

Thanx for the suggestions, I will try resetting the "system" by disconnecting the battery. However, all that you have told me could be the problem. I also am thinking the same as thamarkman is, but I will try "resetting" first anyhow. Thanx again y'all! I'll repost in a couple of days when I can do this.

 

[Randeaux]

Thanx for the suggestions, I will try resetting the "system" by disconnecting the battery. However, all that you have told me could be the problem. I also am thinking the same as thamarkman is, but I will try "resetting" first anyhow. Thanx again y'all! I'll repost in a couple of days when I can do this.

I disconnected the battery to reset the system, and it didn't work out, however, the trip odometer still works and I can go by that. and thye DTE will go down to 325 miles now instead of 350, guage still shows full. :frown:
thanks, anyways. I'll try to call a cousin of mine that works @ North Park Linc/Merc. back in San Anto. and see what he can find out. (If I can get hold of him!)

 

[Pepsi2185]

Double check your indicator is working but i think it is the sending unit. Try grounding and ungrounding the sending unit output and see if the gauge responds.

 

[Randeaux]

Pepsi2185; thanx for the input. I'll give that a try on my next weekend then, that's what my 'cuz in San Anto told me too. I'll let y'all know what goes on, again thanx!

 

[Randeaux]

*******************UPDATE***************************************
I think the problem is over. And the way it had been solved will sound too obvious.
I was checking the sending unit with a friend of mine who knows Auto ellectronics very well. We searched and could not find a problem at all. His 10 year-old son comes up and asks why not hit the "reset" button in the middle of the dash. Lo and behold, we tried it (it couldn't hurt...) The gas guage and Dte function have been working perfectly since.(And a child shall lead them........)

If you should happen upon this problem try hitting the "reset" button first. (DUH-) :slam (Boy,did we feel stupid afterwards.......)

Thanx again everyone for the help. Very much Appreciate it.