Fuel Guage
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 699
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From: Penticton B.C.
Fuel Guage
I have a 2003 Anniversary coupe. My fuel guage sometimes but not always registers incorrect. Not a big deal, but my dealer wants to replace the sending unit in the tank. I understand this is a 7 hour job which includes dropping the suspension. It is under warranty. Has anyone had this done and if so did the car drive the same after you got it back?
Thanks
Grant
Thanks
Grant
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 3
From: Round Hill, VA
Throw some Techron in there and see if it goes away. Does it drop down to zero? If so this should take care of it. If this is your problem and you have the dealer replace it, the problem will come back eventually. Where do you get your gas?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by 1BadC5
I have a 2003 Anniversary coupe. My fuel guage sometimes but not always registers incorrect. Not a big deal, but my dealer wants to replace the sending unit in the tank. I understand this is a 7 hour job which includes dropping the suspension. It is under warranty. Has anyone had this done and if so did the car drive the same after you got it back?
Thanks
Grant
Thanks
Grant
Somebody's trying to screw somebody here I'm thinking. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Penticton B.C.
Originally Posted by Antvette
Throw some Techron in there and see if it goes away. Does it drop down to zero? If so this should take care of it. If this is your problem and you have the dealer replace it, the problem will come back eventually. Where do you get your gas?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Penticton B.C.
Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Dropping the suspension? Somebody's trying to screw somebody here I'm thinking.
Somebody's trying to screw somebody here I'm thinking.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by 1BadC5
They said they have to replace the sending unit inside the gas tank. They are up above the suspension. Thanks
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Bar Mills Maine
I finally got tired of feeding my Vette Techron and said the hell with it, then I filled up with some Gulf gas that they sold at a place I have lunch at and the things been fine ever since.... hmmmm... go figure. I only use 94 octane & I don't think Gulf is known as a cure, but so far it's been flawless... I'm sure it won't work after writing this note about it though! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
Had mine done about two weeks ago at Ross Downing in Hammond. It took Randy about 2-1/2 hours to replace the passenger side sender (that is the one that causes most of the problems). I have run two tanks through it and it seems like it is working fine now. Previously, after it dropped below 1/2 tank, suddenly it would drop to empty.
Cost would have been $550, but my extended warranty covered it with a $50 deductible.
Cost would have been $550, but my extended warranty covered it with a $50 deductible.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Pretty sure this can be done with the tank(s) in the car.
The new revised system was designated by RPO code FFS for 2003 Corvettes only. However, this name (FFS) has been unofficially applied to all vehicles with the new system. Also for model year 2003 C5s, you can tell by the Service Parts Identification Label (RPO label) on the inside of the glove box lid whether the car has the old or revised fuel system. If it has the new revised system, RPO FFS will appear on the label. Otherwise it has the older system. (NOTE: His profile shows his car as being a very early model year 2003 build, so it most likely should have the older fuel system.)
You can read more about the revised system at the following link:
Revised Fuel Tank System
Last edited by GrayC5; Oct 2, 2005 at 02:53 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
I tried all the DIY fixes over the years (I've been around a few years) and nothing really FIXES the problem. Since my warranty was about to expire I had my dealer R&R as many little things as I could get out of them. They replaced these parts to fix the "ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE"
STRAINER P/N 12458245
SENSOR P/N 10333749
Took them about 4 hours and they didn't have to "drop" anything on my 03.
Just have the dealer actually fix the problem and be done with it, or live with it. Your choice, But changing brands of fuel or using various additives will not FIX the problem.
Tom
STRAINER P/N 12458245
SENSOR P/N 10333749
Took them about 4 hours and they didn't have to "drop" anything on my 03.
Just have the dealer actually fix the problem and be done with it, or live with it. Your choice, But changing brands of fuel or using various additives will not FIX the problem.
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,613
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From: Spring Tx
I have been told more than once that replacing the sender only delays the time till it will happen again.It was a poor design using sub standard parts.My experience has been that the Berryman B-12 is a better, and less expensive way to dissolve sulphur that has accumilated on the contacts.Techron both as an additive and in the fuel I used, did not cure the problem, in fact it went from working part of the time till it quit altogether.Three tanks of Berryman and so far the problem hasn't returned. Is it fixed? Of course not! I just consider it one of the idiosynchrasies I must live with, in order to drive my vette.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
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From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
I have had mine replaced by the dealer as well. As mentioned above, despite the fact that I now had a new fuel sending unit assembly installed (PCM also reflashed), the erratic reading will re-occur, due to the faulty GM design. Hence this problem is chronic. However, using the Chevron gasoline does seem to reduce the annoying symptomology, somewhat. The Techron II can help, as does the Berryman B12. Interestingly, I have a colleague with an '04 who is also troubled by this.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 97
From: Sandy Utah
I have had this problem once approx two years ago. I put four ozs of two stroke motor oil in my tank and let it sit overnight. Next morning all was well. Since then, I put four ozs in my tank every three or four months and have never had a recurrance. 