Fuel Gauge Issue
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Port St. Lucie Florida
Fuel Gauge Issue
My problem is that even with a full tank of fuel, out of no where, the gas gauge will drop to empty while driving. After shutting off the ignition and than turning it on again the gauge will work fine for a while and go to zero again. Additionally, I am smelling an odor of gas fumes. Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: Champaign IL
The Fuel gauge problem can easily be fixed by adding a bottle of Techron to your Gas Tank. Many have had this problem and this usually resolves the problem. Techron can be purchased at Autozone or other auto part stores. As far as the Fuel smell?? Can you pinpoint where the odor is comming from. There have also been several members with crack fuel crossover lines.. Don't know if this is your case, But it's seems to be happening more frequently as these cars age.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...or-smells.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...or-smells.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 92
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
The Fuel gauge problem can easily be fixed by adding a bottle of Techron to your Gas Tank. Many have had this problem and this usually resolves the problem. Techron can be purchased at Autozone or other auto part stores. As far as the Fuel smell?? Can you pinpoint where the odor is comming from. There have also been several members with crack fuel crossover lines.. Don't know if this is your case, But it's seems to be happening more frequently as these cars age.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...or-smells.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...or-smells.html
Usualy works.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
The fuel gauge problem is unfortunately a common problem for C5's. The problem is not with the gas gauge itself but caused by corrosion of electrical traces on the fuel level sensors, which are part of the fuel sending unit assemblies. Basically a manual arm is driven by a floatation device inside the tank. There are two tanks, passenger side and driver side. The contacts on the manual arm traverses a circuit board, modulating the fuel level information to an electrical signal.
With regret, you can't replace the fuel level sensors by themselves. You need to purchase the entire sending unit assembly. I see many here comment that techron reverses the effects of the corrosion. While I wish you luck with techron, it didn't work for me and I ultimately had both passenger side and driver side fuel sending units replaced. Everything works great after that. Certainly try your luck with the Techron first and I wish you luck.
Since I knew about this problem, I had the dealer remove the fuel level sensor from the fuel sending unit and snapped this picture of it. You can see the black corrosion on the traces. Those traces should be as shiny as a new silver dollar,
With regret, you can't replace the fuel level sensors by themselves. You need to purchase the entire sending unit assembly. I see many here comment that techron reverses the effects of the corrosion. While I wish you luck with techron, it didn't work for me and I ultimately had both passenger side and driver side fuel sending units replaced. Everything works great after that. Certainly try your luck with the Techron first and I wish you luck.
Since I knew about this problem, I had the dealer remove the fuel level sensor from the fuel sending unit and snapped this picture of it. You can see the black corrosion on the traces. Those traces should be as shiny as a new silver dollar,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
It may take 2-4 bottles to work make sure you wait till the tank is below 1/3 to add and fill up so it mixes well and crosses over to the 2nd tank. It takes time for it to work and the arm going up and down over the corroded area. This always seems to happen ~ 3/4 of a tank. You may also notice when full the gauge only shows 7/8. When fixed full is over F. Also use the 20 gal bottle of Techron.
