Katerina Swanson
Replacing a fuel sending unit in a Ford car is a straightforward process. The fuel sending unit is located at the top of the fuel tank, but it is accessible under the back seat or in the rear cargo area. Before starting, disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent electrical sparks, and ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area to prevent breathing in fumes. The sending unit will be protected by an access cover, usually held on with a couple of screws. Once you have located the access cover, remove the screws and the cover to reveal the fuel tank sending unit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of fuel tank sending unit | Under the rear seat or in the rear cargo area |
| First step | Disconnect the negative battery cable |
| Second step | Lift the back seat or trunk carpet and locate the access cover for the fuel tank sending unit |
| Third step | Remove the screws holding the cover in place and remove the access cover |
| Fourth step | Remove the fuel tank sending unit in one piece |
| Fifth step | Plug in the new sender |
| Sixth step | Set the Empty and Full controls |
| Seventh step | Roll down the windows and work in a well-ventilated area |
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What You'll Learn
Locating the fuel tank sending unit
The fuel tank sending unit is located at the top of the fuel tank. Attached to it is a long rod with a float at the end, so you might have to try a few different angles to get it out.
Before you begin, disconnect the negative battery cable to be sure no electrical sparks are possible. Static discharge can be a problem when the gas fumes come out after the sender is removed. It is also a good idea to have some protection handy, as it is almost impossible to do this job without a single drop of fuel escaping. Try covering part of the work area inside the car with plastic and an old towel. This area can be used as a staging area for the parts that will have gas on them.
You are dealing with gas, which is highly flammable! Make sure you roll down all your windows and work in a well-ventilated area to prevent breathing in fumes. You could also use a professional respirator.
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Removing the access cover
To begin, locate the access cover by lifting the backseat or trunk carpet. Once you have found it, remove the screws holding the cover in place. It is a good idea to have some protection, such as plastic and an old towel, to cover part of the work area inside the car. This will help catch any fuel that may escape during the removal process.
Before removing the access cover, disconnect the negative battery cable to ensure no electrical sparks are possible. Static discharge can be a problem when gas fumes are released after the sender is removed, so it is important to take this precaution.
With the screws removed, you can now carefully lift and remove the access cover. This will reveal the fuel tank sending unit, which is attached to a long rod with a float at the end. You may need to try a few different angles to get the unit out, as the installation is typically the reverse of the removal process.
Remember to work in a well-ventilated area to prevent breathing in fumes. You can roll down the windows or use a professional respirator for added protection.
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Disconnecting the negative battery cable
To disconnect the negative battery cable, you will first need to locate your car battery. This is usually found in the engine bay, although the exact location will depend on your specific Ford model. Once you have located the battery, you will need to identify the negative terminal. This will be clearly marked, either with a "-" symbol or with a black cover.
Next, you will need to loosen the nut or bolt that secures the cable to the negative terminal. You can do this with a suitable wrench or socket. Be careful not to drop the nut or bolt into the engine bay, as it may be difficult to retrieve. Once the nut or bolt is loosened, you can carefully disconnect the cable from the terminal.
It is important to note that you should only disconnect the negative battery cable once you are sure that the car is securely parked and the engine is off. This will prevent any accidental electrical discharge, which could be dangerous when working with flammable gas.
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Setting the Empty and Full controls
To replace your Ford fuel sending unit, you will first need to locate it. It is usually located under the rear seat or in the rear cargo area, accessible by lifting the backseat or trunk carpet. You will then need to remove the screws holding the access cover in place and remove the cover to reveal the fuel tank sending unit.
Before you begin, disconnect the negative battery cable to ensure that no electrical sparks are possible. It is also important to note that you are dealing with gas, which is highly flammable. Make sure to roll down all your windows and work in a well-ventilated area to prevent breathing in fumes. You could also use a professional respirator.
Once you have located and removed the old fuel sending unit, you can install the new one. Installation is the reverse of removal. Don't forget to plug in the new sender, or it won't work!
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Installing the new sender
The new sender should be plugged in to ensure it works. You will also need to set the Empty and Full controls. Set Empty first, so it reads E with some gas in the tank. This will prevent you from being stranded when the gas gets low.
The screw holes may not be evenly spaced, so make sure they line up. If they don't, rotate the sender until they do.
Finally, remember that static discharge can be a problem when the gas fumes come out after the sender is removed. Work in a well-ventilated area and use a professional respirator to prevent breathing in fumes.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tank sending unit is located at the top of the fuel tank, but it is accessible under the backseat or under the carpet in your trunk.
The sending unit will be protected by an access cover, usually held on with a couple of screws. Lift your backseat or trunk carpet and locate the access cover for your fuel tank sending unit. Remove the screws holding the cover in place and remove the access cover to reveal the fuel tank sending unit.
Gas is highly flammable, so roll down all your windows and work in a well-ventilated area to prevent breathing in fumes. You could also use a professional respirator. It's also a good idea to cover part of the work area inside the car with plastic and an old towel to catch any escaping fuel.
Don't forget to plug in the new sender or it won't send you anything! If your fuel filter is in the tank at this location, it might be a good idea to replace that as well.
Set Empty first and do it so it reads E with some gas in the tank, so you won't be stranded when it gets low.
