98 Ranger Fuel Pump Fuse goes out at 1/2 tank

[Drexl]

I have 98 Ranger and when the fuel tank gets below 1/2 tank it belows the fuse for the fuel pump, plus when it rains alot the fuse will also blow . I really don't know what to do or even where to begin with this problem. Can any one please help me!!!!!!!!!! Thank you

[DonSor]

I'm not sure if the two problems are related or just coincidental. Nonetheless, the fuel pump tends to overheat when the tank level gets too low. The gasoline itself cools the pump while running. Since the fuel pump runs OK with the tank above the 1/2 mark, it appears that the fuel pump is OK. You may quesion whether in fact your gas gauge reading is accurate. Possibility is that when it reads 1/2, it actually is almost empty. The gauge and the pump are in a single assembly. If either unit is defective, you have to change the whole assembly. If you have not done it before it could be a complicated repair work.

As far as the fuse blowing up when it rains, maybe you have some bare wires under the truck which powers up your pump.

[Drexl]

Thank you for your help. While I know its not the guage because when I fill it up with gas it only takes 8-10 gallons, and I know my tank is a 17 gallon tank. I was trying to figure out if it is the sensor unit or if it is the fuel pump itself. I don't want to replace all the fuel pump and it still does that.