Gas Gauge.........
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Gas Gauge.........
I was cruising this morning with a little over a quarter tank of gas and all of a sudden the gas gauge went to zero and low fuel warning came on. I went to a gas station filled it up with 12 gallons and the gauge worked again. I know these cars have two tanks but do they have two sending units too? Did the first tank go empty causing the warning light to come on?
I hope this isn't a new ongoing problem. I did put a bottle of Techron in it hoping that will fix the problem. Any comments?
I hope this isn't a new ongoing problem. I did put a bottle of Techron in it hoping that will fix the problem. Any comments?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I was cruising this morning with a little over a quarter tank of gas and all of a sudden the gas gauge went to zero and low fuel warning came on. I went to a gas station filled it up with 12 gallons and the gauge worked again. I know these cars have two tanks but do they have two sending units too? Did the first tank go empty causing the warning light to come on?
I hope this isn't a new ongoing problem. I did put a bottle of Techron in it hoping that will fix the problem. Any comments?
I hope this isn't a new ongoing problem. I did put a bottle of Techron in it hoping that will fix the problem. Any comments?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
Why band aid? get a new sending unit and replace it. it's easy and yes there are 2 if I recall. I pulled the driver side and it's just a siphon pump and I believe a sender. Also drain the tank by triggering the relay it's less messy then what I did the first time.
new sending unit..
going in ....
Bastard went in finally . took me wayyyyyy longer then it should of but didn't wanna break anything again..Here it's hooked up to the casper harness. looks factory huh?
Cover removed..
Making it rain....
To much rain....
For future reference make sure you have 1/8th tank of gas.. Like it's been said a ton of times..
Coming out..
That a boy..
She's out
new sending unit..
going in ....
Bastard went in finally . took me wayyyyyy longer then it should of but didn't wanna break anything again..Here it's hooked up to the casper harness. looks factory huh?
Cover removed..
Making it rain....
To much rain....
For future reference make sure you have 1/8th tank of gas.. Like it's been said a ton of times..
Coming out..
That a boy..
She's out
Last edited by Chicago1; May 14, 2014 at 01:51 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I have had that problem , and still do, only after a steady and uninterrupted fuel drain run.
In my research, I think it is caused by the eductor(transfer) jet being worn/out of spec, and no longer transfers fuel at the correct rate between the tanks.
The computer then sees the fuel level between the tanks as outside of it's understanding, and defaults to low fuel.
Techron is not an answer for this problem.
I freely admit this supposition of mine could easily be incorrect, save for the techron advice. All top tier gas includes this type of additive, so unless you are filling at some bootleg gas station , you are already running it with every fill up.
I have also read that there is a factory recall available to reset the computer fuel understandings and that the fix is effective. I haven't checked this out personally.
In my research, I think it is caused by the eductor(transfer) jet being worn/out of spec, and no longer transfers fuel at the correct rate between the tanks.
The computer then sees the fuel level between the tanks as outside of it's understanding, and defaults to low fuel.
Techron is not an answer for this problem.
I freely admit this supposition of mine could easily be incorrect, save for the techron advice. All top tier gas includes this type of additive, so unless you are filling at some bootleg gas station , you are already running it with every fill up.
I have also read that there is a factory recall available to reset the computer fuel understandings and that the fix is effective. I haven't checked this out personally.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I have had that problem , and still do, only after a steady and uninterrupted fuel drain run.
In my research, I think it is caused by the eductor(transfer) jet being worn/out of spec, and no longer transfers fuel at the correct rate between the tanks.
The computer then sees the fuel level between the tanks as outside of it's understanding, and defaults to low fuel.
Techron is not an answer for this problem.
I freely admit this supposition of mine could easily be incorrect, save for the techron advice. All top tier gas includes this type of additive, so unless you are filling at some bootleg gas station , you are already running it with every fill up.
I have also read that there is a factory recall available to reset the computer fuel understandings and that the fix is effective. I haven't checked this out personally.
In my research, I think it is caused by the eductor(transfer) jet being worn/out of spec, and no longer transfers fuel at the correct rate between the tanks.
The computer then sees the fuel level between the tanks as outside of it's understanding, and defaults to low fuel.
Techron is not an answer for this problem.
I freely admit this supposition of mine could easily be incorrect, save for the techron advice. All top tier gas includes this type of additive, so unless you are filling at some bootleg gas station , you are already running it with every fill up.
I have also read that there is a factory recall available to reset the computer fuel understandings and that the fix is effective. I haven't checked this out personally.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Why band aid? get a new sending unit and replace it. it's easy and yes there are 2 if I recall. I pulled the driver side and it's just a siphon pump and I believe a sender. Also drain the tank by triggering the relay it's less messy then what I did the first time.
new sending unit..
]
new sending unit..
]
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 357
Likes: 29
From: Central/Eastern NC North Carolina
I'll probably get flamed (again) for commenting on this because I've only had a C5 for a few months, but here's my understanding: The reason for a Gage sudden drop to zero is because computer senses that the gas level sensors (two tanks) dis-agree by too much of a margin! The computer drops the gage to zero as a fail-safe to insure the driver fuels up promptly and gets it checked regardless.
TECHRON seems to have solved my one-time "event" for now - - plus I am watching my gas gage more carefully and using my trip odo to make sure I get gas before exceeding my typical range. I think its worth a try since its a lot less invasive than removing/replacing the sending units. As the weeks & months go on, I'm using Techron and gaining confidence in my fuel system again!
TECHRON seems to have solved my one-time "event" for now - - plus I am watching my gas gage more carefully and using my trip odo to make sure I get gas before exceeding my typical range. I think its worth a try since its a lot less invasive than removing/replacing the sending units. As the weeks & months go on, I'm using Techron and gaining confidence in my fuel system again!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I'll probably get flamed (again) for commenting on this because I've only had a C5 for a few months, but here's my understanding: The reason for a Gage sudden drop to zero is because computer senses that the gas level sensors (two tanks) dis-agree by too much of a margin! The computer drops the gage to zero as a fail-safe to insure the driver fuels up promptly and gets it checked regardless.
TECHRON seems to have solved my one-time "event" for now - - plus I am watching my gas gage more carefully and using my trip odo to make sure I get gas before exceeding my typical range. I think its worth a try since its a lot less invasive than removing/replacing the sending units. As the weeks & months go on, I'm using Techron and gaining confidence in my fuel system again!
TECHRON seems to have solved my one-time "event" for now - - plus I am watching my gas gage more carefully and using my trip odo to make sure I get gas before exceeding my typical range. I think its worth a try since its a lot less invasive than removing/replacing the sending units. As the weeks & months go on, I'm using Techron and gaining confidence in my fuel system again!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
When you add it every month so it doesn't appear or add it more then once then yes it is. I tell people get your hands dirty and fix it and not limp it along until next time. It doesn't fix the problem because it always comes back after sometime. hell if that was the case I want my wasted money back that I spent after the first bottle because I got robeed. lol
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
When you add it every month so it doesn't appear or add it more then once then yes it is. I tell people get your hands dirty and fix it and not limp it along until next time. It doesn't fix the problem because it always comes back after sometime. hell if that was the case I want my wasted money back that I spent after the first bottle because I got robeed. lol
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 10
From: Bay Point California
I have never had any luck with the Techron fix. My low fuel / check gauges warning comes on after every refill. With in the first five miles it's back to normal until next fill up. Most of the gas put in the car is from Chevron.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Eventually your new sensor will have the same problem. It's a design flaw. Your band aid just costs a lot more than the Techron. I have worked on cars for 40 years. At this point I like driving them more than wrenching on them. If a bottle of Techron fixes the problem I will be happy.
I had both my sensors changed under extended warranty. New set made it about 2 years before the same issues. I use Techron at least every 2 fill-ups and when that quits working, I add a can of BG-44K and that gets it going again for awhile (so long as the jet-pump stays unclogged).