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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 06:21 PM
  #1  
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Default Low Fuel

Has anyone had the fuel guage suddenly go to empty with an almost full tank and the "LOW FUEL" warning come up? That happened to me today. I filled up a couple of days ago and had about 44 miles on the trip meter. I stopped for lunch and when I re-started the car the warning came on and the fuel guage never got off the empty peg, except during the "self test" when I turned the key on. What gives?

Jim
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 06:25 PM
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Very common, Do a search for fuel gage, It is caused from the sulfur in the fuel and it leaves a coating on the sensor, You can try to use Chevron gas with techron it may correct it after a few fill ups.
Never use cheap fuel, Always use Chevron, Shell, Texaco or other fuel with the additive, Top Tier stations.
Mr.Bill
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 06:45 PM
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Thanks, Mr. Bill:

I only use Mobile 97 in the beast. That isn't exactly "low-grade", especially not at $3.15 a gallon. I'll just keep an eye on it and see what it does. When the warning came on I was looking behind the car to see if the fuel tank had sprung a leak. They need to get rid of all this computer crap and go back to the simple stuff like in the 60's. :-)

Jim
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 06:47 PM
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yikes, whats with the flag paint job on the back of the car, when will you be removing that? On a serious note, get some Tectron...it will fix up that gas gauge fast, I use a couple of 20 oz containers during the driving season, works great !!
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 07:09 PM
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might be time for seafoam.
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 07:16 PM
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I will be removing the flag about the same time Hell freezes over. That's one of the reasons we bought the car. It is NOT a stick on. It was hand done by Louis Feliz in Reno for the original owner at a cost of $2000. I'd have to re-paint the car to remove it and that ain't happenin'. I'm a retired vet who is very proud of the flag I served under. I guess I'll have to make a trip to Autozone to see what I can find. That's a pretty ****-poor design for such an expensive car. I guess that's typical for an American car though of late. Thanks for the replies. I don't know anything about Seafoam. Where would one find said product?

Jim
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 07:17 PM
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Never happened on my VETT . But 01 GMC truck is doing that very same thing . so great info on the sensor build . I'll try that THANK'S
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 07:27 PM
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As stated try Techron good luck
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 07:46 PM
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Check and see if you have the P1432 code. If so reset it and watch your gas gauge rise from the dead. This worked for me, Techron helps but this clears the code and works right away while you are waiting for the Techron to kick in. Try running Shell v power for a few tanks as well.



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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 08:02 PM
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Had the same thing happen a few years ago when a couple new gas stations opened up between my house and work. Used their gas and had the issue start out of nowhere. As soon as I went back to my regular Quiktrip station, the problem went away and I've never had the problem since then. i'd say it's as simple as switching gas stations.

Good luck!
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Spooky 52
I will be removing the flag about the same time Hell freezes over. That's one of the reasons we bought the car. It is NOT a stick on. It was hand done by Louis Feliz in Reno for the original owner at a cost of $2000. I'd have to re-paint the car to remove it and that ain't happenin'. I'm a retired vet who is very proud of the flag I served under. I guess I'll have to make a trip to Autozone to see what I can find. That's a pretty ****-poor design for such an expensive car. I guess that's typical for an American car though of late. Thanks for the replies. I don't know anything about Seafoam. Where would one find said product?

Jim
That would be Louie Feliz.

Last edited by Mr.Bill; Feb 19, 2010 at 08:49 PM.
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
That would be Louie Feliez.
Not according to my conversation with him or his website Feliz Custom Striping"

Jim
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Spooky 52
Thanks, Mr. Bill:

I only use Mobile 97 in the beast. That isn't exactly "low-grade", especially not at $3.15 a gallon. I'll just keep an eye on it and see what it does. When the warning came on I was looking behind the car to see if the fuel tank had sprung a leak. They need to get rid of all this computer crap and go back to the simple stuff like in the 60's. :-)

Jim
The computer doesn't really have much to do with the sending unit. It's likely got some sulfur build up. Techron breaks down those deposits. Doesn't matter where you get your gas, sulfur build up can happen. Octane doesn't have anything to do with the sulfur build up either.

$3.15/gal is cheap compared to here in Los Angeles... 91 is usually 3.20-3.50/gal. LOL

A bottle of Techron should cost you about $10 at a local Chevron "Smart Mart" and usually only takes one bottle to get rid of the build up.
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
Very common, Do a search for fuel gage, It is caused from the sulfur in the fuel and it leaves a coating on the sensor, You can try to use Chevron gas with techron it may correct it after a few fill ups.
Never use cheap fuel, Always use Chevron, Shell, Texaco or other fuel with the additive, Top Tier stations.
Mr.Bill
Stop by your local auto parts store and pick up a bottle of Techron concentrate. Add it to the gas (may have to do a couple of bottles) and hopefully it will clean the sulfur deposits off the sending unit.
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Old Feb 20, 2010 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Spooky 52
I will be removing the flag about the same time Hell freezes over. That's one of the reasons we bought the car. It is NOT a stick on. It was hand done by Louis Feliz in Reno for the original owner at a cost of $2000. I'd have to re-paint the car to remove it and that ain't happenin'. I'm a retired vet who is very proud of the flag I served under. I guess I'll have to make a trip to Autozone to see what I can find. That's a pretty ****-poor design for such an expensive car. I guess that's typical for an American car though of late. Thanks for the replies. I don't know anything about Seafoam. Where would one find said product?

Jim

Ouch...
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Old Feb 20, 2010 | 01:39 PM
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Thanks, Scubaman. Richmond is my old stomping grounds. I was a police officer there in '65 - '66 and '70 - 73. My youngest daughter lives in Glen Allen and works at VCU. I kinda liked that town but Uncle Sam sent me to Californicate and I stayed here.

Jim
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