Fuel gauge fron HELL!

[ErnieC]

I have a fuel gauge that when I start or turn the key to run the needle will go up to a 1/4 of a tank then immediately drop down to empty with the low fuel light on. I bought a new sending unit for the tank and it still wont work.I took the cluster out and removed the actual fuel gauge and put a new one in then reinstalled the same cluster and I still have the same problem.I even tried grounding the wires direct.I even did the test for the instrument pannel were you hold down the 2 trip buttons.It said something like, code 999 then 1,2,3 I am so stummped. Could the cluster be bad? Any suggestions would greatlly be appreciated. It is a 98 voyager

[ErnieC]

I want to mention that I am getting code 42 from the engine light.

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by ErnieC

I want to mention that I am getting code 42 from the engine light.

Code 42 shows ASD (Automatic ShutDown) relay control open or shorted.

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by ErnieC

I have a fuel gauge that when I start or turn the key to run the needle will go up to a 1/4 of a tank then immediately drop down to empty with the low fuel light on. I bought a new sending unit for the tank and it still wont work.I took the cluster out and removed the actual fuel gauge and put a new one in then reinstalled the same cluster and I still have the same problem.I even tried grounding the wires direct.I even did the test for the instrument pannel were you hold down the 2 trip buttons.It said something like, code 999 then 1,2,3 I am so stummped. Could the cluster be bad? Any suggestions would greatlly be appreciated. It is a 98 voyager

Resistance from the sending unit should be approx. 6 ohms - Tank Full
to approximately 1000 ohms - Tank empty. You can check the old sending unit to verify operation. It sounds like a short (high resistance) in the wiring. Is this strickly a fuel gauge problem, no other gauges affected? Does the fuel pump operate?

[ErnieC]

The van runs fine. I noticed that my temp gauge jumps around also. I did alot of reading about the voltage regulator in the cluster. This sounds like it could be my problem. I know its not the gauge itself. Any ideas on were to find the regulator? Or test it? I can solder a new one in from radio shak.

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by ErnieC

The van runs fine. I noticed that my temp gauge jumps around also. I did alot of reading about the voltage regulator in the cluster. This sounds like it could be my problem. I know its not the gauge itself. Any ideas on were to find the regulator? Or test it? I can solder a new one in from radio shak.

The regulator is usually mounted on the printed circuit board and controls more than one gauge. The gauges would act the same way if there were a bad ground connection for the gauge panel. Sorry, I don't have any reference to the voltage output of the regulator. Perhaps one of the other guys would be able to help, or a dealership.
There is a TSB on the fuel gauge dropping from !/4 or 1/2 while driving. Look up the TSB and this may help.