Uh oh
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood CA
Uh oh
Hey all.
Filled tank, driving along, all of a sudden hear the little ping, look down and it says "low fuel". Gas gauge is dead empty. "BLANK" miles to go on readout. (Good thing I filled it up so I KNOW it had gas)
Was on way to get smog. Got to smogs station, turned off, 5 minutes later smog guy pulled it in, still no fuel.
Finished smog, turned off for another 5 minutes, started it up and guess what, gauge was back in business. Drove the rest of the way home and it was fine.
Thought? Ideas? Other had similar problem?
Thanks!
JP
Filled tank, driving along, all of a sudden hear the little ping, look down and it says "low fuel". Gas gauge is dead empty. "BLANK" miles to go on readout. (Good thing I filled it up so I KNOW it had gas)
Was on way to get smog. Got to smogs station, turned off, 5 minutes later smog guy pulled it in, still no fuel.
Finished smog, turned off for another 5 minutes, started it up and guess what, gauge was back in business. Drove the rest of the way home and it was fine.
Thought? Ideas? Other had similar problem?
Thanks!
JP
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Try running a bottle of Chevron techron fuel additive through the tank. 
This is a common problem and that fixes it most of the time. You may need to run a bottle about 3 or 4 tanks to keep the system clean.
This is a common problem and that fixes it most of the time. You may need to run a bottle about 3 or 4 tanks to keep the system clean.
Safety Car
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The sensor is fouled up, probably caused by sulfur in the gas you use. A few bottles of Techron will probably cure it. Be persistent because the fix means replacing the senders and that's a fuel tank out job.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,979
Likes: 31
From: Wichita KS
From what I have read it can be done with the tank IN the car still.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood CA
Thanks all!
I just got the car and I know it was sitting for a bit. I ALWAYS fill up with Chevron premium (OK, sometimes Shell) and the first fill up I put in the techron stuff. I will keep after it and throw in a bottle on the next 4 or 5 fillups! Hopefully that will solve the problem!
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,107
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From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
I have found with this problem keep the car a little over half full if it's parked awhile, this keeps the sender units in both tanks floating,I find if one tanks ends up dry for awhile thats when you have the problem,Techron does help clean them.
this keeps the sender units in both tanks floating,I find if one tanks ends up dry for awhile thats when you have the problem,Techron does help clean them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 305
From: Carmel Indiana
My 03 had fuel guage go to zero 3-4 times starting last summer, after 2 bottles of Techron and 2 of Seafoam, both from Autozone, the guage has worked now for 4-5 months. I also pretty much bought whatever fuel I came too, now only buy Shell v-power.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 470
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From: Round Rock Texas
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I just got the car and I know it was sitting for a bit. I ALWAYS fill up with Chevron premium (OK, sometimes Shell) and the first fill up I put in the techron stuff. I will keep after it and throw in a bottle on the next 4 or 5 fillups! Hopefully that will solve the problem!
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Safety Car
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From: Dardenne Prairie Mo.
Race Director
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Hurricane Alley
Ever since I started to fill up from Chevron, which has the Techron in their gas, I havent had the problem since. And that was about four years ago.
