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Fuel Gauge - Erratic Operation/Slow Fuel Filling

Article No.
98-13-9

07/06/98

GAUGE - ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION -
SLOW FUEL FILL - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH
4/1/98

FORD:
1998 ESCORT ZX2, ESCORT

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1998 TRACER

ISSUE

Some vehicles may exhibit erratic fuel gauge readings of:

^ up to +/- 1/8 of a tank gauge movement (vehicles built before 4/1/98),

^ the gauge drops off full too quickly,

^ or slow/hard to fill conditions may occur and/or the nozzle shuts off prior to the tank being full.

This may be caused by the slosh module/fuel gauge calibration, fuel sender calibration, and/or the vapor recovery nozzle at some service stations.

ACTION

Install a revised slosh module/fuel gauge or revised fuel sender. Refer to the text for details.

Some 1998 Escort/Tracers built prior to 4/1/98, may exhibit erratic fuel gauge readings of up to +/- 1/8 of a tank gauge movement. This condition may be prevalent when driving on long hills and curves. If this condition exists, refer to the Part Application Chart and install the appropriate Slosh Module/Fuel Gauge Kit. Refer to the 1998 Escort Workshop Manual, Section 413-01, for details.

PART APPLICATION

Vehicle Part Number
ZX2 Coupe FBCZ-9305-AC
Sedan/Wagon F8CZ-9305-BC

NOTE
THE KEY MUST BE IN THE OFF POSITION WHEN FUELING.

Some 1998 Escort/Tracers built prior to 4/1/98, may exhibit the fuel gauge not reaching the Full mark when filling up the vehicle, or the gauge dropping off of Full too quickly. If either of these conditions exist, replace the fuel sender assembly with a revised Fuel Sender Assembly (F8CZ-9275-BA). This sender assembly contains a new sender calibration which will provide improved fuel gauge readings at Full that will better indicate the full capacity of the fuel tank. Refer to the Workshop Manual, Section 413-01, for replacement details.

If the fuel fill nozzle still clicks off and/or there is difficulty in filling the vehicle, this may be caused from the vapor recovery fuel nozzles at some filling stations. Inform the customer to try an alternate source for fuel. The fuel industry is aware of the condition and is in the process of revising the nozzles.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

F8CZ-9305-AC Slosh Module/Fuel Gauge
F8CZ.93O5-BC Slosh Module/Fuel Gauge
F8CZ-9275-BA Fuel Sender Assembly

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

981309AA Replace Slosh Module And 0.7 Hr.
Fuel Gauge -
Sedan/Wagon

981309AB Replace Fuel Sender 0.6 Hr.
Assembly - Sedan/Wagon

981309BA Replace Slosh Module And 0.6 Hr.
Fuel Gauge - Coupe

981309BB Replace Fuel Sender 0.6 Hr.
Assembly - Coupe

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
9305, 9275 42

OASIS CODES: 204000, 204200, 404000