Fuel Sending Unit TSB and "Fix"

[Svashtar]

Read online here in some old thread about TSB's that had been issued for our MM's. Found one on the Fuel gauge problem and immediately recognized it. I fill up and drive 20-30 miles and the gas gauge reads only 3/4 full, so it falls way too fast at first. When the low fuel light comes on I gas up and it only takes 15-16 gallons.

Anyway, armed with the TSB and part # for the fix that I got from here, I went to my local FLM dealer who is an SVT dealer (after re-flashing my PCM back to stock; I'm paranoid), and gave them all the info. They confirmed the TSB and ordered the part. Went back in yesterday and they installed the new FSU no problem. I drove to the gas station and filled up to test it and guess what!? Now when full the gauge shows super low, and the low fuel light is on! The idiots installed the FSU in upside down!

Since I filled the car up they can't do anything until the tank is half-full. So for the next few days as I drive the car, the gas gauge goes UP, and the low fuel light just went out. Crazy. They promised me a full tank of gas for my trouble, so when I go back I'm going to be sure to coast in on fumes.

Looks like it worked though, as I have been driving 70-80 miles since then and the gauge is working it's way up slowly instead of in big jumps like it used to.

Hopefully their installing it wrong won't have screwed something up...

Anyway, this is a good fix to do under warranty if this "fast fuel gauge drop" has been bothering you as well.

Regards,

Norm

[GarageMahal]

Too funny :lol:

I had planned to have it done but every time I went to the shop I had a full tank. At this point I am used to it and probably won't get it fixed.

jta

[PJR]

When you return it to them, you should 'back' it in!!

[SilverStreak]

Oh yes Sir, We had Jimmy, from our wash rack, put premium fuel in your car.....:rolleyes: ...:confused:

[RoyLPita]

Ah yes, the benefit of a "service parts" warranty. Headache medication not included, though.

[mtnh]

I had the exact thing take place on mine a couple of years back. Supposedly, the wrong part was used, and the next day, the right part was used, problem solved. The service guys that worked on mine noticed immediately that the guage read full without putting in any fuel, thankfully.

Mike

[wchain]

They cant drain the tank? What if the fuel pump failed and the tank was full/?? Sounds likea lazy dealer...

[ckadiddle]

I am now jealous of your highly customized reverse fuel gauge.

[harryo]

Can anyone get me the TSB # for the gas gauge problem my dealer claims he can't find it.
Read online here in some old thread about TSB's that had been issued for our MM's. Found one on the Fuel gauge problem and immediately recognized it. I fill up and drive 20-30 miles and the gas gauge reads only 3/4 full, so it falls way too fast at first. When the low fuel light comes on I gas up and it only takes 15-16 gallons.

Anyway, armed with the TSB and part # for the fix that I got from here, I went to my local FLM dealer who is an SVT dealer (after re-flashing my PCM back to stock; I'm paranoid), and gave them all the info. They confirmed the TSB and ordered the part. Went back in yesterday and they installed the new FSU no problem. I drove to the gas station and filled up to test it and guess what!? Now when full the gauge shows super low, and the low fuel light is on! The idiots installed the FSU in upside down!

Since I filled the car up they can't do anything until the tank is half-full. So for the next few days as I drive the car, the gas gauge goes UP, and the low fuel light just went out. Crazy. They promised me a full tank of gas for my trouble, so when I go back I'm going to be sure to coast in on fumes.

Looks like it worked though, as I have been driving 70-80 miles since then and the gauge is working it's way up slowly instead of in big jumps like it used to.

Hopefully their installing it wrong won't have screwed something up...

Anyway, this is a good fix to do under warranty if this "fast fuel gauge drop" has been bothering you as well.

Regards,

Norm

[the_pack_rat]

Oh yes Sir, We had Jimmy, from our wash rack, put premium fuel in your car.....:rolleyes: ...:confused:
They cant drain the tank? What if the fuel pump failed and the tank was full/?? Sounds like a lazy dealer...Ditto & ditto.

Better get yourself some octane booster ready.

[Hotrauder]

I am now jealous of your highly customized reverse fuel gauge.

I like this too!!! Is there a part number for reverse speedometer? It would save me a lot of time!

[carfixer]

Can anyone get me the TSB # for the gas gauge problem my dealer claims he can't find it.
The fuel guage issue is not a TSB, it is a SSM (special service message). Here is a copy and paste of the article:

16985. 2003 CROWN VICTORIA/GRAND MARQUIS/MARAUDER/TOWN CAR - FUEL GAUGE DROPS OFF FULL QUICKLY/READS LOW.
SOME 2003 CROWN VICTORIA/GRAND MARQUIS/MARAUDER/TOWN CAR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL GAUGE THAT COMES OFF FULL TOO QUICKLY OR READS LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK (ELECTRONIC OR ANALOG CLUSTER). TO SERVICE, INSTALL REVISED FUEL SENDING UNIT 2W1Z-9275-AB.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/23/2003

[STLR FN]

Is it ok/safe to guess that this SSM is for the '03 MY only????
The fuel guage issue is not a TSB, it is a SSM (special service message). Here is a copy and paste of the article:

16985. 2003 CROWN VICTORIA/GRAND MARQUIS/MARAUDER/TOWN CAR - FUEL GAUGE DROPS OFF FULL QUICKLY/READS LOW.
SOME 2003 CROWN VICTORIA/GRAND MARQUIS/MARAUDER/TOWN CAR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL GAUGE THAT COMES OFF FULL TOO QUICKLY OR READS LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK (ELECTRONIC OR ANALOG CLUSTER). TO SERVICE, INSTALL REVISED FUEL SENDING UNIT 2W1Z-9275-AB.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/23/2003

[AzMarauder]

I am now jealous of your highly customized reverse fuel gauge.

Jealous hell.....

Wes.... you going to sell these through your store?

Imagine how the value on our cars will go up if we can prove that they MAKE gasoline by driving them. The harder you run 'em the faster the tank fills up !:bows:

We need to market this mod big time !

[RoyLPita]

When I 1st got my MM and filled the tank, it would just be below full and go down between 3/4 and full in just 15 miles of combonation city/highway driving.

I thought that it was way too much.

Anyway, I had the new installed today (I had to work and the tech who ordered it put it in).
Before I had this done, I had a 1/4 tank of gas. With the new sender, I had just above 1/4. When I filled up, It went past full, Like my CVPI.