replacing fuel sending unit?
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Stage III
Joined: Dec 2006
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replacing fuel sending unit?
I have an 04 Softail standard, FI, and the fuel gauge is not working properly. I recently ran out of gas and found out that with the key on the gauge will rise to 3/4, with key off it goes back to empty. Is this a sender problem? If so where is it and how hard is it to replace? Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: replacing fuel sending unit?
If it says that you have 3/4 tank and its empty then it probably does have a problem. If its just going to empty because you have the ignition off that's normal. At least that's the way mine works.
The sending unit is mounted inside the top of the tank under the dash panel. The manual has a long writeup on how to get it out, and I suggest you get hold of a copy of it as it looks like you have to dismantle nearly everything in there to get at it.
The sending unit is mounted inside the top of the tank under the dash panel. The manual has a long writeup on how to get it out, and I suggest you get hold of a copy of it as it looks like you have to dismantle nearly everything in there to get at it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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RE: replacing fuel sending unit?
I just swapped out tanks and let me tell you, for me it was a royal pain in the a$$ to swap pump/sending unit. It could just be my experiance, but it was not fun. The manual is ok for pictures, but really does not tell you everything you want to know. The float sits between the tank tunnel and the tube for the gauge wire. Yours could be hitting either and sticking it up. You can't see crap when installing it, and all the time your worried about scratching your tank.
Sorry for the rant, but you can do it, it just takes time and patiance.
Good Luck.
Sorry for the rant, but you can do it, it just takes time and patiance.
Good Luck.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 472
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From:
RE: replacing fuel sending unit?
I have taken mine off twice already and it is pretty easy.It pops right out with a little pressure and I just snip the two wires that run under the tank and pull it thru.You can't on my bike disconnect it from connector because the ends won't fit thru the little tube that runs thru the tank.My gage has been pretty reliable so far but I do use my trip odometer also as a back up especially on longer trips.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
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RE: replacing fuel sending unit?
Mine wouldn't fit thru the tube so I just snipped the wires and reconnected them.But you are correct and they are simple to un-do.My painted tanks had too much paint in them to pull thru.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From:
RE: replacing fuel sending unit?
From what you describe, it sounds like the float is hung up inside the tank. It's a common problem on these bikes. You need to remove the end of the rod where it goes through the float (make it shorter) so it doesn't hang up.
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