I have a 99Ford xlt Ranger. My fuel tank can be near empty and yet it still acts like it's full and spits the gas out, or I have to put the gas in very slowly, it takes a little gas and stops, so I have to keep hitting on position because it stops fueling way before it's full.

Look for the obvious first - is there a fuse on that gauge ? Is the wiring ok between the gauge and the sender? Is the sender working at all - the latter is nothing more than a variable resistor connected to an arm with a float. Find out what the reading should be for the gauge with a full tank. If you measure and it is no where near that then the gauge itself is at fault.

You probably have an electronic ignition system to go with those fuel injectors. It sounds like it runs just long enough to empty the fuel out of the injectors, which means there might be a vacuum problem. I'm a carburetor person myself. Are you sure it sound like it NEEDS gas or could it be flooding?

Do you have 2 gas tanks?

It sounds like the vent tube on the gas tank may be either plugged, or partially pinched off. Once you start putting gas into it, and have a gallon or two in, does it improve? If the vent is blocked, the only venting you are getting will be around the fill tube you are putting fuel into. Until you get the problem addressed, the only solution is to fill the tank at a reduced rate. Hope this helps.

Just a question. Do you run your car on empty. If so that could be your problem with an empty tank you are sucking all the dirt through the filter and making it plug up. It is better to keep your tank above half full and does not cost any more than to run on empty. All mechanics will tell you to always keep your tank above half full.

There's an air return pipe that's supposed to prevent this. Look on the filler neck for a finger sized secondary pipe or hose. Make sure this is not damaged or otherwise blocked.

Spit back can also occur when the tank is nearly empty on hot days. The tank is full of gas vapour and this pressure has to go somewhere. Try adding gas slowly for a couple of seconds, then stopping. The added gas is colder and will cause the vapour to condense, after which you can usually add gas at normal speed.

when it does not start put fuel gauge onto injector line see if you have 32-40psi with key on and cranking then check for spark it also would be good to have a scan tool with data to see if crank signal is present

It Could Be That The Fuel Sending Unit For The Back Tanks Is Bad And Just Show You It Fuel When Its Really Empty Try putting A Little Gas In That Tank And See If Problem Still Persists On Not

well # 1 the full gauge when empty is a sign that your fuel pump is bad and that needs to be replaced the part about spitting the gas back out is probrobly a clog between the fuel door and the tank itself or their might be a vapor lock door that might be stuck shut so fuel cant get in im not 100%sure about that but im 100%sure that the fuel guage is the fuel pump being dead.

--THB--

looks like you need a fuel pump. your current pump is dying.
and wont send enough pressure.