Fuel gauge??

Hey guys, I looking to buy a 96 Single Cab 4WD. 2.7 Auto. My question is this, when I went to look at the truck, the person told me the fuel gauge didn't work. I thought no problem, maybe needs a sending unit. But, he said watch this....he turned the headlights on and the fuel gauge started moving up and down. Any thoughts are VERY appreciated, as this will make or break the sale.

 

That’s a textbook grounding issue.

 

I agree 100%, but where do I start. I really want the truck, but dont want to buy a problem. I have found a perfect 02 Tundra with 168K on the clock, but i heard the gas mileage is bad on those?? Thanks for the reply BartMaster1234

 

Grounding issues is a mixed bag. There’s hundreds of grounds on the truck, but for the cluster I’d start looking for the specific instrument cluster grounds. Should be some under the kick panel, and on the front crash bar under the dash.

 

It's a 23 year old truck. It's going to have issues. If that problem is putting you off, you should look at something newer.

 

How is the frame? I hope you took a really really good look at it. #1 Issue on these trucks are rotted frames. I couldn’t tell you the amount of times seeing people post on this forum who bought trucks with rotted frames and essentially are in the hole thousands of dollars

 

You are correct, but the frame is perfect. I guess I should just let it go, but it has only 138K, and super slick. I guess I am scared to buy a problem.

 

I wouldn’t be that concerned about a grounding issue. If you plan to buy a vehicle this old, you should be expecting to face electrical and mechanical problems. This should be an easy fix if you start inspecting the grounds for fuel system.

 

I really have no clue where all of the grounds are. I did ask the gentleman that owns the truck about the grounds, he says he has checked all the grounds that he knows of, and still no luck. He is an ASE mechanic by trade.

 

I believe the ground for the gauge cluster is behind the left kick panel.

The manuals are available around the internet with that kind of info, so at least you're not flying totally blind.