HI guys,

I just got this '04 3.0 V6 on a trade- it's a decent truck, just needs a little work. When I drove it from the spot I picked it up from to my house (maybe about a 7-8 mile drive) the fuel gauge went from around between 1/4-1/2 full, to empty by the time I got it home. Needed to clean it inside and out, and it sat for a few days. Decided to take it to the gas station since the gauge showed E, and the fuel light was showing on the dash. When I took it to the gas station it only took 1.5 gallons and would not take any more. Checked the fuel filler vent, and it is not clogged up. Someone suggested this sounds like the sending unit is bad. Looking for some more advice. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes could be the float/sender in the tank.

2004 and up Ranger got a the HEC instrument panel
HEC = hybrid electronic cluster
So they have a microprocessor built in, a digital dash with analog display gauges

Goggle: ford ranger hec dealer test mode

Run it through the tests to see if the cluster may be at fault first

Coming out of the gas tank will be a Yellow/white striped wire, it runs to the dash and to the PCM(computer) pin #12
You can test this wire with an OHM meter to Ground
16 ohms EMPTY tank, 160 ohms FULL tank

Probably easier to access this wire at the PCM, just use a sewing needle to pierce the wire to hook up meter
If its 0 or under 16ohms then float has sunk to bottom of tank or sender has a short
If its high ohms then rock the truck to get gas in the tank sloshing around the ohms should change as float goes up and down


Bad thing about the HEC cluster is that ONLY a Ford dealer can swap it out, and they have to order the new cluster from Ford with odometer preset to old clusters miles
The HEC is part of the anti-theft anti-tamper systems, so the dash is "married to the computer", they do a "handshake" when you turn on the key
If dash is unplugged then engine won't start, it dash has been swapped then engine won't start
Ford Dealer has to "re-marry" new cluster to PCM, and visa versa if PCM needs to be changed on 2004 and up Rangers