Glasact

Last night I filled up my tank from about one half full and tried to squeeze in that last $.15 to round it off and spilled out the overflow. I left the station with a full tank. Three minutes later I get an alarm sound and look at my d.i.c. and have a message that says "Low Fuel" I then look at my fuel gauge and it shows completely empty. Then I get a check gages light. Five minutes later I get home and the tank now shows 5/8 full and the check gages light goes out. I check for any codes that have been set and there are none. This morning I go out to investigate further and the tank shows completely full and everything appears as normal. I will add that I have a stock "03" What is going on? and what should I be look at?

El original

You are a veteran at the Corvette forum member since 2006 surely you have run across fuel gauge issues with Corvettes. All the info is readily available. Just do a little search and you can share with us what works and doesn't. Good luck.

4XLR8N

Techron.

JR-01

Using Shell V-Power gas has cured all my gas gauge problems. It has the most polyetheramine(Techron) of all brands of gasoline.. I do add a bottle once in a while and put one in when I store it over the winter.

mrlmd

What's back there that could have gotten wet with spilled gasoline that would give an erroneous reading? The sensors are inside the fuel tanks but is there any wiring or a connector that could have gotten doused with gas to cause that? But it sounds like after the gas evaporated the problem went away.
Most of the times that I got the erroneous low fuel level message, when I filled it up the message went away immediately, whether putting in a bottle of Techron right away or not. I carry one in my storage compartment for if and when I ever get it, maybe once a year.

73Corvette

Our 04 20k car has done that a few times... it usually occurs when OVERFILLED or when I switch from NON ethanol to ETHANOL... or vise versa... sometimes it takes a can of Techron and a few key cycles to get rid of the issue... no codes. Don't worry about just be more careful when filling up... it helps to put the nozzle as deep as you can (no sexual implications) and keep the nozzle on the slowest possible setting so it's not filling so fast and gives the automatic turn off to click out before it's burping out the tank filler neck...

Macleod52

As was said, try using a couple bottles of Techron. It's possible there's sulfer deposits causing your issue, or as 73Corvette stated possibly due to overfilling.

Just an FYI when the nozzle stops leave it be. Any additional gas you put in there is going to be wasted as either overflow or by venting out. There are plenty of articles out there explaining why you don't want to "top off" your tank and why it's a waste.

Glasact

I was already thinking about the Techron, and added a bottle this morning. I am going to add another bottle at the next fill-up as well.

jakecol

I've had the same problem with my 98. Tried Techron and switched to B-12 by Chemtool. Both cleaned the contacts in the sending unit. Why.B-12: Cost difference with the same results.

Vetteman Jack

Hopefully a bottle or two of Techron will clear up any gauge issues you are having. It's worked for many others.

grantv

I've had this issue twice in the 3 years I've owned my Z. Both times I completely topped up the tank (I rarely do in any vehicle), it happened as I started the car immediately after filling, never otherwise.

Vanover

Just like when you over eat,you got to burp or fart to make extra room.you fed her to much.

bpanders

Had the same issue just this morning, but filled her up (not overfill) last week and have driven some since then. Put in techron at fuel up too. Never had the fuel gauge issue since I got the car last year but this morning she went to zero then slowly crept upwards. On the next turn of the key it read just fine. I always use 91 non-ethanol too. Weird.

Forcedvert

Not sure over fill has anything to do with it, it's a build up of sulfur on the sensor is what I think I've heard? Mine has been acting up, not going to empty but also not showing 100% full on fill up, I've done some treatments and used chevron a few times but not always convenient

knewblewkorvette

worked for me

grantv

Ya wouldn't think so, but the only times it happened to my car...
Pull into the gas station; all good.
Fill up the tank. Start the car; fuel gauge issue instantly.
The only 2 times I ever completely filled the tank.

Forcedvert

Mine only went to empty after filling also but that is not the root cause as far as I've heard and read. It seems to happen a few mile down the road on mine not at the first start?

73Corvette

Our 04 20k mile car that I burn 91 NON ethanol in does the same thing...

grantv

Interesting... no consistency in the problem it seems. Mine was definitely right there on the spot after filling, then OK after I get a few miles on it.

73Corvette

I think the one thing that I've learned about the C5 is to expect the unexpected... and NOT panic, most of the time clearing the codes and a few key cycles have eliminated the anomalies that have occurred ... I laugh now when something weird happens and say Whaaaat? I didn't give you enough attention last week or are you pissed about something else?
It's like having a girl friend that's a tweaker, you just never know what's coming next (I have never had a tweaker girl friend)
At the end of the day it's an awesome car and although we have our moments I still love her