Gas Guage Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Baytown Texas
Gas Guage Problem
I filled up with Chevron Supreme as I have for months. Got in the car and cranked her up and the gas gauge went to empty. Then the DIC came on with a low fuel warning. The car was completely full of fuel. Has anyone else had this problem. I remember seeing something about using Techron in the gas. Can I buy this at a Chevron station or O'Reily's? Thanks for the help.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,338
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From: Whittier California
I had a similar problem. I was using Chevron or 76 gas. The head mechanic at West Coast Corvettes suggested using Mobil gas. I made the switch and have not had a problem since. Going on three years now. Hope this helps.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Check your codes your are probably getting P1431 just reset the code and the gas gauage will work.
Techron does not work for all case of the fuel gauge.
I had my sensor repolaced and used Chevron with Techron and still have the problem
Techron does not work for all case of the fuel gauge.
I had my sensor repolaced and used Chevron with Techron and still have the problem
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
Originally Posted by termike
OK. Dumb question, where will I find this code and how do I reset it?
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You can try the Techron (available in a lot of places, including Wal-Mart), and if that doesn't work, maybe switch brands of gas for a while and see if that keeps the gas guage from going wacky.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 771
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From: Erie County, Pennsylvania
The TECHRON fuel additive by CHEVRON will not correct fuel sending units already gone bad
The erratic gas guage problem in C5s is a recurring situation inherent to the C5. Although you can try the TECHRON my suggestion is to pay the money and replace the sending units in both tanks. Then use the TECHRON as preventative medicine, not corrective.
Good luck.
DG
The erratic gas guage problem in C5s is a recurring situation inherent to the C5. Although you can try the TECHRON my suggestion is to pay the money and replace the sending units in both tanks. Then use the TECHRON as preventative medicine, not corrective.
Good luck.
DG
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 45
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From: Baytown Texas
OK, I put a bottle of Techron in the gas tank, cleared all the codes, and refilled the tank. The needle on the gas guage went from empty to almost full. It is resting on the one eighth mark above full. How long does to take for the Techron to work on the guage?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: "Man been singin' the Blues, since he began to till the ground"...Vancouver, USA WA.
Techron made my problem worse, I've used 2 cans of "Sea-Foam" in 3 tanks, problem is now acceptable, (very little variance) no more 1/4 to1/2 tank swings, if any, no more than an 1/8
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: So-Cal California
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Techron fixed mine. Put the large bottle in the tank with a full tank of Chevron 91 and the problem went away. Although I did put ARCO in it the other day on an emergency basis and the guage went a little wacky again. It seems as long as she has Union, Exxon, or Chevron gas I have no problems.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
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From: Layton Utah
Originally Posted by termike
OK, I put a bottle of Techron in the gas tank, cleared all the codes, and refilled the tank. The needle on the gas guage went from empty to almost full. It is resting on the one eighth mark above full. How long does to take for the Techron to work on the guage?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 667
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From: Galveston Indiana
And my question is....why didn't GM get this stupid problem fixed when the first c5's started having it??????? Been there with the empty gas gauge and a full tank, too. Kind of reminds me of the column lock issue. Irritating, isn't it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by sooz
And my question is....why didn't GM get this stupid problem fixed when the first c5's started having it??????? Been there with the empty gas gauge and a full tank, too. Kind of reminds me of the column lock issue. Irritating, isn't it?
Oh Yeah, Thank goodness for the Forum!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 940
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From: Surprise Arizona
I had this problem and the Techron fixed it. There are two tanks in a
C5. To make sure you are hitting both sensors, don't add Techron until your tank is almost empty. Put in the Techron and drive it for a few miles before filling up. You may have to add another bottle or repeat the process to get results.
C5. To make sure you are hitting both sensors, don't add Techron until your tank is almost empty. Put in the Techron and drive it for a few miles before filling up. You may have to add another bottle or repeat the process to get results.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had the problem once. Filled to full, the gauge showed 3/4 and slowly crept up to full. Used 2 bottles of Techron and it didn't reappear.
I suspect it may be that if you catch it early Techron fixes the problem. JMHO.
Now I need to find somewhere in UK that sells the stuff. I'm down to one spare bottle
I suspect it may be that if you catch it early Techron fixes the problem. JMHO.
Now I need to find somewhere in UK that sells the stuff. I'm down to one spare bottle
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 73
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From: Sugar Land Texas
I got the same issues last night (I think I had Exxon).. I thought it will cost a bunch of mula to fix it. Found out this tip (got that code P1431), cleared the code and it worked. Thanks. Love this community!!!
P.S.: not sure why it got this code, do you guys know?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,215
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The TECHRON fuel additive by CHEVRON will not correct fuel sending units already gone bad
The erratic gas guage problem in C5s is a recurring situation inherent to the C5. Although you can try the TECHRON my suggestion is to pay the money and replace the sending units in both tanks. Then use the TECHRON as preventative medicine, not corrective.
Good luck.
DG
The erratic gas guage problem in C5s is a recurring situation inherent to the C5. Although you can try the TECHRON my suggestion is to pay the money and replace the sending units in both tanks. Then use the TECHRON as preventative medicine, not corrective.
Good luck.
DG
One of my sending units was replaced before I bought my car. I used strictly Chevron and put in Techron in addition but had the gauge problems only on long trips. My extended warranty repaired the other sending unit and I've been problem-free since then.
My suggestion until then--reset one of your tripometers each time you fill up. Then if the gauge goes crazy you'll be able to check and see how many miles you've driven since the last fill-up.