1996 ford ranger fuel gauge stuck on empty - 1996 Ford Ranger SuperCab

poss float came off the end of the sender arm......

Swap the leads on the fuel tank sending unit.

To troubleshoot the issue, i suggest you few help links with accurate solution step by step:---
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Fuel pump not running?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/fuel-pump-not-running.html
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Fuel pump not working on 1991 Ford Ranger?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/fuel-pump-not-working-on-1991-ford.html

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Fuel pump has no power on 2002 ford 350 7.3 diesel?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/fuel-pump-has-no-power-on-2002-ford-350.html

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Emergency fuel shut switch on Ford car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/emergency-fuel-shut-switch-on-ford-car.html

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How to jump fuel pump On Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-jump-fuel-pump-on-chevrolet.html

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How to Increase gas mileage on 2011 2500HD Duramax 6.6?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-increase-gas-mileage-on-2011.html
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How to test Fuel Pressure and replace Fuel Pump?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-test-fuel-pressure-and-replace.html
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Fuel Running Lean

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/fuel-running-lean.html
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How to relieve fuel pressure?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-relieve-fuel-pressure.html

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Refueling problem?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/refueling-problem.html

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Toyota Tercel consuming more fuel?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/toyota-tercel-consuming-more-fuel.html

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How to maximize fuel economy on your vehicle?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-maximize-fuel-economy-on-your.html

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Fuel gauge jumps from empty to full?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/fuel-gauge-jumps-from-empty-to-full.html

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Gas gauge stuck on empty on 2002 Mercedes Benz 240c?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/gas-gauge-stuck-on-empty-on-2002.html

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No power to the control side of the fuel pump relay?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-power-to-control-side-of-fuel-pump.html

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These will help.

Thanks.

The float on the fuel gauge sending unit inside the tank is either stuck down or has come off, common problem.

Sounds like a short, check the wiring harness

I am very familiar with this problem, u will need to replace the gas gauge sending unit in the fuel tank.

the buffer plates in the tank seem to be loosely held! so sometimes they fall on the sender unit,causing the gauge to drop!!!!! when the vehicle is shaken!!!! remove that tank and have the plates checked!!!!

will need to check if the gauge works properly. and will need to check to see if sending unit is working. plus checking wires.
most likely if it just stopped working the sending unit has failed.

You may have a couple separate concerns. The fuel gauge if it is on empty may have a hole in the float. The speedometer odometer and trip meter is probably a broken gear in the speedo assembly. If the speedometer itself works it is getting a signal from the speed sensor.