Dealer Quote: Fuel Gauge Problem
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Dealer Quote: Fuel Gauge Problem
Received a dealer quote to repair the common C5 fuel gauge problem. Recall from a previous thread one dealer quoted me $1,000 parts and $1,100 labor. Researched the repair myself and had a different dealer quote me the repair. This dealer quoted $650 parts and $500 labor (3.5 hours). The dealer gave me the part numbers which I checked online. The online parts price is $415.48 versus the dealer quote of $650. I should be able to negotiate the parts cost down some. They want the car for 2 days to diagnose the problem in case all parts quoted are not needed. In my case the car will probably need all the parts. I will probably have this work done.
For the do it yourself repair the part numbers are:
Strainer kit 12459862 $74.10
Fuel pump 89047748 $312.73
Sending unit 88899034 $28.65
For the do it yourself repair the part numbers are:
Strainer kit 12459862 $74.10
Fuel pump 89047748 $312.73
Sending unit 88899034 $28.65
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Been there, done that. I must have put 20 bottles of Techron, Sea Foam, or GM Fuel System additive in this car. The GM additive worked the best but at twice the cost. I have been fighting this problem for 2 years and have run out of gas 3 times. Once the gauge read 3/8 of a tank left. I am getting it fixed permanently.
After the repair I will post the actual parts installed for those who may want to make the repair themselves. I also have 10 pages of instructions from Alldata Online to replace the fuel level sending units.
After the repair I will post the actual parts installed for those who may want to make the repair themselves. I also have 10 pages of instructions from Alldata Online to replace the fuel level sending units.
C5 General
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Race Director
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Been there, done that. I must have put 20 bottles of Techron, Sea Foam, or GM Fuel System additive in this car. The GM additive worked the best but at twice the cost. I have been fighting this problem for 2 years and have run out of gas 3 times. Once the gauge read 3/8 of a tank left. I am getting it fixed permanently.
After the repair I will post the actual parts installed for those who may want to make the repair themselves. I also have 10 pages of instructions from Alldata Online to replace the fuel level sending units.
After the repair I will post the actual parts installed for those who may want to make the repair themselves. I also have 10 pages of instructions from Alldata Online to replace the fuel level sending units.
Good Luck
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
I found 2 TSB's. TSB 02-06-04-010A covers the reprograming of the PCM to ignore voltage spikes from the fuel sending units. I believe this one is responsible for the PCM shutting off the gas gauge. This throws a code and when reset the gas gauge works fine again. TSB 01-06-04-022 is what the dealer gave me today. I believe this one lists the parts to replace in the fuel system when the level sensors become corroded. The fuel level sending units are updated.
The ground to the frame is located near the sending units. This will also be checked.
The dealer said they can determine exactly which parts are faulty by running computer diagnostics, measuring the level sensor resistance, and sending a signal back to the gas gauge. This is why they want the car for 2 days. It may take a day to order parts. They want to diagnose the problem and then order the needed parts.
The ground to the frame is located near the sending units. This will also be checked.
The dealer said they can determine exactly which parts are faulty by running computer diagnostics, measuring the level sensor resistance, and sending a signal back to the gas gauge. This is why they want the car for 2 days. It may take a day to order parts. They want to diagnose the problem and then order the needed parts.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 403
Likes: 2
From: Glen Allen VA
I had the same problem in my 98-coupe 67k for the past one year. Two seafoams, four Chevron bottles and it still persisted. I also had other electrical problems with this one. They all went away once I cleaned my ignition switch contacts. Ever since then the fuel gauge needle has not dipped to zero. I am not sure if the two were related or if the fuel additives finally did their magic.
Either way, seems like the stealership is making sure they diagnose the problem at the root before throwing your money at it. Good luck!!
This is why they want the car for 2 days. It may take a day to order parts. They want to diagnose the problem and then order the needed parts.
Last edited by SinghZvette; Apr 8, 2008 at 04:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 4
From: EXTON PA
Received a dealer quote to repair the common C5 fuel gauge problem. Recall from a previous thread one dealer quoted me $1,000 parts and $1,100 labor. Researched the repair myself and had a different dealer quote me the repair. This dealer quoted $650 parts and $500 labor (3.5 hours). The dealer gave me the part numbers which I checked online. The online parts price is $415.48 versus the dealer quote of $650. I should be able to negotiate the parts cost down some. They want the car for 2 days to diagnose the problem in case all parts quoted are not needed. In my case the car will probably need all the parts. I will probably have this work done.
For the do it yourself repair the part numbers are:
Strainer kit 12459862 $74.10
Fuel pump 89047748 $312.73
Sending unit 88899034 $28.65
For the do it yourself repair the part numbers are:
Strainer kit 12459862 $74.10
Fuel pump 89047748 $312.73
Sending unit 88899034 $28.65
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Yes sir, I always try to use top tier gas.
For that particular part number I think it is an assembly. And in that assembly contains a fuel pump and the title of the part number only lists the fuel pump. You know GM instead of one part why not replace the entire assembly. I found the actual part number for only the fuel level sensor, it costs only $92.24. This is probably the only part needed in that assembly.
For that particular part number I think it is an assembly. And in that assembly contains a fuel pump and the title of the part number only lists the fuel pump. You know GM instead of one part why not replace the entire assembly. I found the actual part number for only the fuel level sensor, it costs only $92.24. This is probably the only part needed in that assembly.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake Minnesota
Hi Keppler,
Here is another option if you don't want to go to a dealer. I know of an independant who is great at diagnostics and repair. I've taken several vehicles to them and they get it right the first time. If my vette needed repair, this is the first place I'd go.
Mark's auto service.
Just north of the intersection of 694 and Silver Lake Road on the right side of the road. Phone: 651-631-4926. They do work on all types of vehicles (even foreign).
Best of luck!
Jerome
Here is another option if you don't want to go to a dealer. I know of an independant who is great at diagnostics and repair. I've taken several vehicles to them and they get it right the first time. If my vette needed repair, this is the first place I'd go.
Mark's auto service.
Just north of the intersection of 694 and Silver Lake Road on the right side of the road. Phone: 651-631-4926. They do work on all types of vehicles (even foreign).
Best of luck!
Jerome
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
I am considering independent shops since I can under cut the parts costs by ordering them myself.
The original dealer quote was $2,100. This dealer wanted to charge 11 hours labor because they said the entire rear driveline and suspension has to come out to remove the tanks. This is what started my quest because I thought $2,100 was ridiculous to change 2 fuel level sensors.
I spent Saturday morning at the public library were AllData Online is available. The tanks come out the wheel wells. The rear driveline and suspension does not have to come out. AllData stated the labor time for both fuel level sensors at 3.5 hours. The second dealer quote this morning confirmed that; their charge is 3.5 hours labor.
The original dealer quote was $2,100. This dealer wanted to charge 11 hours labor because they said the entire rear driveline and suspension has to come out to remove the tanks. This is what started my quest because I thought $2,100 was ridiculous to change 2 fuel level sensors.
I spent Saturday morning at the public library were AllData Online is available. The tanks come out the wheel wells. The rear driveline and suspension does not have to come out. AllData stated the labor time for both fuel level sensors at 3.5 hours. The second dealer quote this morning confirmed that; their charge is 3.5 hours labor.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Ham Lake Minnesota
If you do try Mark's Auto Service, tell them that Jerome sent you. I don't get anything for it, but they will make the connection. Let me know how it turns out. Mark isn't going to be the cheapest, but like I said in my other post, it gets done right the first time. That is worth it to me.
Jerome
Jerome
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Sometimes your only recourse is to replace the sending units. Had to do that with my '99. Good luck and hope this fixes the problem for a long time.
