Fuel gauge and check engine light

[Scott Arnold]

I broke the cardinal rule and bought a car last night that had a check engine light on.

 

It is a 2014 Titanium. The service manager said it passed diagnostics and he could not find the issue so he reset the check engine light. He said it was saying, "that there was too much gas in the tank."

 

By the time the car was washed and brought up front the light was back on. I took the car home intending on bringing it back in to get fixed next week.

 

About 40 miles into my trip home I went from having a near full tank to empty. I was warned that I was running out of gas, so I stopped and fueled up. I could only put in 2 Gal. The indicator still said I was empty. I drove it home.

 

I found some discussion about using the funnel to "reset" the non-gas-cap. I inserted and removed it several times, started the car and after driving about a mile the check engine light went off and the fuel indicator showed FULL!

 

Today I drove approximately 50 miles and the check engine light came on and the fuel gauge once again went to empty. The car drives fine even though it says that it is empty. I tried the funnel trick again but no change.

 

Anyone know of a cause of any other "tricks"?

 

I can't get off work till Tuesday to take it in.

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

[GrySql]

Return the car and don't accept it until it's fixed, or get a refund.

Your Dealer's Service Department sounds inept and their Sales Department very good.

 

Using the Funnel will not instantly reset the warning light, it may take several driving cycles to do that.

Your car does not sound like the 'funnel trick' will solve the problem anyway, your symptoms sound much more serious than that.

Edited December 29, 2013 by GrySql

[Scott Arnold]

Thanks for the advice, but I am going to wait it out... we have a 4 trip lemon law.. .hope it doesn't come to that. This deal was too sweet to pass up. I had the car for one day and am lovin it. <--- Prius convert.

[GrySql]

A car does not pass diagnostics when the Check Engine light keeps coming on and the car's computer is throwing codes.

Are we to assume that you bought this from a Ford Dealer?

If not, a car that new should still be under Warranty at any Ford Dealer.

 

It is possible that a new 2014 that has a Fuel System fault like your's could entail a very large repair.

A Ford Dealer that will send you out the door with a Check Engine light illuminated is not very professional.

Any Ford Service Department can call the Ford Engineering Hotline when they don't know what to do, giving the Hotline experts the pertinent facts.

Edited December 29, 2013 by GrySql

[hybridbear]

Scott - I suggest you send a message to Ashley, the official Ford Service Rep on the forum. She usually needs your full contact info, VIN, miles, dealer info, etc. She can then escalate the issue. Her username is Ford Service.

[acdii]

Sounds to me the fuel sending module is at fault, and will throw codes along with inaccurate fuel level readings. Check out This thread, there are two links, I believe the first one has the information regarding the modules. The fuel gauge is not actually a direct connection to the fuel float, but is based on fuel used and level, and a variance of more than 15% between the two will throw a code, and this sounds like what is happening with yours.

[FordService]

I broke the cardinal rule and bought a car last night that had a check engine light on. ...

 

Today I drove approximately 50 miles and the check engine light came on and the fuel gauge once again went to empty. The car drives fine even though it says that it is empty. I tried the funnel trick again but no change. ...

 

Hi Scott,

 

If you'd like me to step in and assist, send me your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealer info.

 

Scott - I suggest you send a message to Ashley, the official Ford Service Rep on the forum. She usually needs your full contact info, VIN, miles, dealer info, etc. She can then escalate the issue. Her username is Ford Service.

 

Thanks, hybridbear!

 

Ashley

Edited December 31, 2013 by FordService

[Scott Arnold]

Thank you all for your advice, I have an appointment at 7:00AM tomorrow and will post an update when I get home. I have no doubt that they are 100% willing to fix it, but I'm not too sure about their troubleshooting abilities.

 

Thanks!

 

Scott

[Scott Arnold]

Update. Went to the dealer and they gave me a rental car. They called later and told me that it is the fuel sending unit and that they will get one, test it and give me a call later in the week - it is the New Year holiday... I'm just glad they are working on it and I have something to drive in the mean time.

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

[Scott Arnold]

Ok, this is a done deal. It was the fuel sending unit and they replaced it, paid for the rental and gave me a full tank of gas. It all worked out in the end :happy feet: but I have to kick myself in the rear for accepting it.

 

Thanks!

 

Scott

[hybridbear]

Ok, this is a done deal. It was the fuel sending unit and they replaced it, paid for the rental and gave me a full tank of gas. It all worked out in the end :happy feet: but I have to kick myself in the rear for accepting it.

 

Thanks!

 

Scott

Glad all is fixed.