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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'97 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nut'zy Gas Gauge
Q: The gas gauge on my ’97
Jeep Grand Cherokee will drop to empty then return to 3/4 to 1/2 tank
every so often or until I fill it up or the gauge goes below half tank.
The dealer said I need a new pump but there isn't anything else going
on. Any suggestions?
- Salvatore T.
A:
Your vehicle is notorious for gas gauge problems. In fact, there was a
safety recall that affected about 400,000 Jeeps including the Jeep Grand
Cherokee built in ‘97. The problem was the gas gauge would report
that there was enough fuel when, in reality, there was not enough fuel
and the vehicle would be dead on the side of the road. I’m not sure
that your Jeep qualifies for this recall but it is worth checking into.
Also, you’re not being told the whole story. If your Jeep dealer
checks his/her Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) they will find TSB#
08-19-97 that provides the part number for a replacement fuel sending
unit that is sold separately. The TSB goes on to identify which of the
3 possible replacement part numbers that would fit your Jeep. The gas
tank still has to be removed to service this part, but it is at a considerable
savings to the vehicle owner compared to buying the complete fuel pump
module. The fuel pump module is a new fuel pump and sending unit all together
and is a bit on the pricey side. One last note, if your fuel pump has
100k and has not be replaced I would suggest installing the complete module.
About any fuel pump with that kind of mileage is living on borrowed time.
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