Fuel Guage Issue

[ducdog]

I have a 1996 Itasca Suncruiser on a Ford chassis. The fuel guage shows a half tank of fuel with ignition in off position. When I turn key on, the Guage goes to empty and stays there. When I turn ignition off, it goes back to fuel level. Where do I start looking to cure problem? Thanks

[Eagle5]

Hi Ducdog,
The fuel gauge reading a half a tank in the off position may be the default indication. The tank reading empty when running might be as simple as the cork falling-off the fuel tank sensor.
Does anyone else with a 1996 F53 Chassis get a half-tank indication on their fuel gauge when the engine is switched-off?
Welcome to the Forum.
Eagle5

[ducdog]

Thanks Eagle 5. Looking forward to being a part of this group
I kinda have a feeling it may be something going on with the sending unit. Just don't want to have to drop that 75 gallon fuel tank if I don't need to. I'll wait to see if anyone replies to your question. The other day the generator stopped running and would not start back up. I had driven the RV on Thanksgiving day about 75 miles I figured it may be below a 1/4 tank of fuel, the gas needle at that time was between 1/2 and 1/4 tank. Closer to 1/4
So I drove to the store and got 15 gallons of gas. When I got home, generator fired right back up. So, lol, I am assuming, a quarter tank of fuel was around 18 gallons plus the 15 I put in = 32 gallons. A half of tank should be 37.5 gallons. That's just about where the gas needle is at when the ignition is in the off position.

[Eagle5]

Hi again Ducdog,
As the generator fuel line is attached at the ¼ tank level, we definitely have a hard data point for that. There are grounding tests that can be performed which should send the fuel gauge either to totally full, or to totally empty.
Good luck; Eagle5

[Americanrascal]

Have 2016 F53 Chassis on our 38Q. I have not seen that problem as of yet (???) Fingers crossed. Good luck with a solution and am anxious to see here how you make out.

PS you may want to post something about this on IRV2 on the Ford chassis forum there?

[Bo Walker]

ducdog, I had a 1996 Winnebago Adventurer. I never completely trusted the fuel gauge. When I first bought it, the speedometer would suddenly read many (like 40 +) miles above my actual speed. I don't know where the loose connection was, but, I removed several ground wires, cleaned the connections and reconnected. Eventually I solved the speedometer problem. However, I only half-way believed the fuel level. I had the fuel pump replaced two times trying to solve a problem, which turned out to be a bad coolant temperature sensor. It only took about $2,500 for the mechanic to locate the problem and replace the sensor. Oh, I don't use that mechanic anymore.