Fuel Guage instability - Dodge Cravan '96 3.0L

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Admin, Feb 25, 2004.

  1. Admin

    Admin Guest

    In my Dodge Caravan '96 (3.0L engine) the fuel gauge jumps all over
    the place and triggers the sound of low fuel level, when vehicle is in
    motion, especially when I break. It happens more frequently when fuel
    tank is full or close to this level. Sometimes the problems goes away
    for weeks at a time only to come back later.

    What is causing it, and where exactly should I look to fix this
    problem, I do not see any loose wire connection or damage to a wire
    harness under the hood.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Matt
     
    Admin, Feb 25, 2004
    #1
  2. Admin

    Bob Guest

    Go get the recall done for the in tank fuel pump module. If the gauge still
    jumps all over the place, go back and complain to the dealer about it. They
    had to replace the module, and the tank because they screwed up the recall.
    Also, get the fan relay recall done too. The dealer destroyed and had to
    replace the PCM in the process of doing that recall.
     
    Bob, Feb 25, 2004
    #2
  3. Admin

    Admin Guest

    'Go get the recall done for the in tank fuel pump module. If the gauge still
    'jumps all over the place, go back and complain to the dealer about it. They
    'had to replace the module, and the tank because they screwed up the recall.
    'Also, get the fan relay recall done too. The dealer destroyed and had to
    'replace the PCM in the process of doing that recall.
    ''> In my Dodge Caravan '96 (3.0L engine) the fuel gauge jumps all over
    '> the place and triggers the sound of low fuel level, when vehicle is in
    '> motion, especially when I break. It happens more frequently when fuel
    '> tank is full or close to this level. Sometimes the problems goes away
    '> for weeks at a time only to come back later.
    '>
    '> What is causing it, and where exactly should I look to fix this
    '> problem, I do not see any loose wire connection or damage to a wire
    '> harness under the hood.
    '>
    '> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    '>
    '> Matt
    '

    Thanks for the reply Bob.

    The fan relay recall was done a few years ago but that was the last
    recall notice that I ever received. My address is unchanged and I
    never received a notice on this in tank 'fuel pump module' recall. I
    would greatly appreciate if you could indicate the recall number and
    any other info that is available to you.

    Thanks, again

    Matt
    '
     
    Admin, Feb 25, 2004
    #3
  4. Admin

    RPhillips47 Guest

    Admin Net*
    Yes, Bob - if you could please post the recall number, or how to locate it I,
    too, would appreciate it.

    Thanks!

    R. Phillips
     
    RPhillips47, Feb 25, 2004
    #4
  5. Admin

    Bob Guest

    There's several for that vehicle. I had one. Look here for details:
    http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/ Also, you need to
    complain about the airbag light coming on intermittantly. They need to
    replace the clockspring, but they won't do it until it fails - SRS light =
    open circuit to airbag squib = airbag inoperable. I tried to get them to fix
    it prior to the recall. I got to pay for the clockspring, and no, I cannot
    get a refund because I don't own the vehicle anymore.
    Recall number for fuel tank:
    99V216000
     
    Bob, Feb 25, 2004
    #5
  6. Admin

    David Allen Guest

    This problem sounds like a bad sending unit. Is that part of the fuel pump
    module? I wasn't aware there was a recall on the fuel pump module. I had
    my sending unit replace a few years ago for this exact problem and paid for
    it.
     
    David Allen, Feb 25, 2004
    #6
  7. Admin

    Bob Guest

    There isn't one on the module, it's on the gasket and nut. Quite often they
    wind up having to replace the module, and the tank because things don't go
    back together right, and it leaks. It happened to mine, and both of the
    Caravans my parents owned. The idea here is that if they have to mess with
    it anyway, let them, and if they break it, or find it broken, it'll be be
    fixed. If the gauge still wanders after they're done, ask why the gauge
    keeps wandering.
     
    Bob, Feb 26, 2004
    #7
  8. Admin

    Admin Guest

    David:

    Do you recall what the cost of sending unit replacement was?

    Do you know where is the sending unit located, is it an easy DIY?

    Thanks

    Matt

    ===========================================================
    'This problem sounds like a bad sending unit. Is that part of the fuel pump
    'module? I wasn't aware there was a recall on the fuel pump module. I had
    'my sending unit replace a few years ago for this exact problem and paid for
    'it.
    '
    ===========================================================
    '> > In my Dodge Caravan '96 (3.0L engine) the fuel gauge jumps all over
    '> > the place and triggers the sound of low fuel level, when vehicle is in
    '> > motion, especially when I break. It happens more frequently when fuel
    '> > tank is full or close to this level. Sometimes the problems goes away
    '> > for weeks at a time only to come back later.
    '> >
    '> > What is causing it, and where exactly should I look to fix this
    '> > problem, I do not see any loose wire connection or damage to a wire
    '> > harness under the hood.
    '> >
    '> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    '> >
    '> > Matt
     
    Admin, Feb 26, 2004
    #8
  9. Admin

    David Allen Guest

    I had it done a few years ago and can't remember how much I paid. Probably
    around $300 parts/labor. I've done this job on my '88 and am familiar with
    that, but not the '96. I imagine you have to drop the fuel tank to get
    access to the sending unit. Dropping the fuel tank has some complications
    the first timer will need to prepare for, such as preventing the vent hose
    from breaking, spilling fuel, disconnecting the filler tube and supporting
    the tank while it's unbolted. The other thing is cleaning the top of the
    tank to prevent dust from falling in (and fouling the fuel pump).
     
    David Allen, Feb 26, 2004
    #9
  10. Hi Matt,

    Had the same problem about a year after I purchassed my 96 Dodge Caravan...

    Problem was in the sensor located inside the gas tank with the pump
    assembly.....

    Had to get it replaced....only thing mine at the time was under
    waranty....good luck

    Latter...
     
    Marc Robichaud, Feb 28, 2004
    #10
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