Fuel sensors
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mulino OR
Fuel sensors
Hi all, I was coming home from a show yesterday and got the check gauges and low fuel warning. A few days before, i filled up and the gauge slowly went up to about two thirds and then seemed to drop at about the usual rate. I know this is all to common on these cars, but am looking for info on how to replace the sensors myself . Has anyone done their own, or know of a link to a how to? I have done a few mods since i bought it a couple of months ago including cags elim, clb, a set of screens, Z06 sway bars and made up a polished plate for the exhaust tip area. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Before you tear your car apart, try adding a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel additive to the tank or switching fuel brands. Many members here have had success doing this and not having to replace the sending unit.
There are a couple of TSB's out on this problem which explain that either a bad sender or high-sulfer content in the fuel you're using are the culprit, depending on the TSB. The fixes involve changing out the fuel sender or reprogramming the PCM, again, depending on the TSB. Here are links to them.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=243
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=254
There are a couple of TSB's out on this problem which explain that either a bad sender or high-sulfer content in the fuel you're using are the culprit, depending on the TSB. The fixes involve changing out the fuel sender or reprogramming the PCM, again, depending on the TSB. Here are links to them.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=243
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=254
Last edited by Patches; Jul 18, 2004 at 04:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mulino OR
Thanks you guys. I have been using chevron gas since i got it but thats only a couple of months and have no idea what was used before that. I will try the Techron and see if that does the trick.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,240
Likes: 0
From: Norman, OK
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Rattler71
I switched to Mobil gas and added a bottle of Techron. Took 2 tank fulls but the gas guage totally back to normal now.Scott
P.S. I was using Amoco in the past, never again in any of my cars!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 2
From: MCO
I hope you have good luck with the Techron, or other popular additives, but the fact remains that the GM Engineers are pizz poor at what they do (and I'm sure there's a few accountants making sure none of the engineers comes up with a solution that (a) costs more than the originally designed crap, and (2) doesn't interfere with the pile of money GM makes when they get to replace your bad sensors with another batch of junk ones, to the tune of approx. $1200.00).
If your Vette is a 2000, you're only hope is that you bought an extended warranty (to 5 yrs).
GM Engineers: ..... you all suck!!!
If your Vette is a 2000, you're only hope is that you bought an extended warranty (to 5 yrs).
GM Engineers: ..... you all suck!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Actually, this problem is by no means limited to C5's nor Chevys nor even GM cars. Many manufacturers are suffering the same fuel sender failures due to high levels of sulphur in gasoline. The sulfer is corrosive to the sender which has a similar design among several manufacturers. If you read the latest TSB from GM, they state the problem clearly and that a PCM reprogram is necessary to alleviate the condition.
This is so widespread that the petroleum refiners have finally agreed to reduce sulphur levels in their refining process. Be aware that several different brands of gas stations in your region could be supplied by the same refinery. Consequently, switching brands doesn't always help the problem. The suggestion to use Techron is to help clean the fuel sender element of sulphur and restore it's function.
These facts have been disseminated and verified here on the forum in the past by members who work in the petroleum refining industry.
This is so widespread that the petroleum refiners have finally agreed to reduce sulphur levels in their refining process. Be aware that several different brands of gas stations in your region could be supplied by the same refinery. Consequently, switching brands doesn't always help the problem. The suggestion to use Techron is to help clean the fuel sender element of sulphur and restore it's function.
These facts have been disseminated and verified here on the forum in the past by members who work in the petroleum refining industry.
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Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Pembroke Pines Florida
Originally Posted by EscapePod
I hope you have good luck with the Techron, or other popular additives, but the fact remains that the GM Engineers are pizz poor at what they do (and I'm sure there's a few accountants making sure none of the engineers comes up with a solution that (a) costs more than the originally designed crap, and (2) doesn't interfere with the pile of money GM makes when they get to replace your bad sensors with another batch of junk ones, to the tune of approx. $1200.00).
If your Vette is a 2000, you're only hope is that you bought an extended warranty (to 5 yrs).
GM Engineers: ..... you all suck!!!
If your Vette is a 2000, you're only hope is that you bought an extended warranty (to 5 yrs).
GM Engineers: ..... you all suck!!!
Quit bitchin, jeeeeeeeeez.
Scott
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Patches
Actually, this problem is by no means limited to C5's nor Chevys nor even GM cars. Many manufacturers are suffering the same fuel sender failures due to high levels of sulphur in gasoline. The sulfer is corrosive to the sender which has a similar design among several manufacturers. If you read the latest TSB from GM, they state the problem clearly and that a PCM reprogram is necessary to alleviate the condition.
This is so widespread that the petroleum refiners have finally agreed to reduce sulphur levels in their refining process. Be aware that several different brands of gas stations in your region could be supplied by the same refinery. Consequently, switching brands doesn't always help the problem. The suggestion to use Techron is to help clean the fuel sender element of sulphur and restore it's function.
These facts have been disseminated and verified here on the forum in the past by members who work in the petroleum refining industry.
This is so widespread that the petroleum refiners have finally agreed to reduce sulphur levels in their refining process. Be aware that several different brands of gas stations in your region could be supplied by the same refinery. Consequently, switching brands doesn't always help the problem. The suggestion to use Techron is to help clean the fuel sender element of sulphur and restore it's function.
These facts have been disseminated and verified here on the forum in the past by members who work in the petroleum refining industry.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mulino OR
I don't know if it heard me threatening more wrenching and curses, but i took it up to the local chevron station which is also a little country store, went in and got a bottle of Techron and put it in the tank. Drove over to the pump and filled up and when i started up, the gauge leaped up to full as if it was scared i was going to smack it one. 
Going to try this for a while and if it doesn't do the trick i will pull the senders and see if i cant clean them up. I have to agree that the manufacturer should have a good idea of what gasoline is available and make a sender thats compatible, specially for a flagship vehicle like the vette. Any way as long as its listening i'm happy
Going to try this for a while and if it doesn't do the trick i will pull the senders and see if i cant clean them up. I have to agree that the manufacturer should have a good idea of what gasoline is available and make a sender thats compatible, specially for a flagship vehicle like the vette. Any way as long as its listening i'm happy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 2
From: MCO
[=Motorsportsline]Since you're here in S. FLA I presume you saw the articles a few weeks ago about the high sulfur levels in Shell, Texaco and a few others who got their fuel from a refinery in TX (can't remember name) and all the fuel level senders that were ruined. You might have gotten some contaminated fuel. Sure hope not, but it might have happened.
Exotic car ---- I think not! Exotic cars are designed by engineers who know what they are doing. And when a problem surfaces -- especially one that seems to affect such a large portion of production -- they fix it fast, permanently, and for every vehicle produced that way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
At least one of the dealers here in AZ has told people that it is an AZ problem. They claim GM is not covering it any longer and referring people to the oil companies. Apparently they are blaming it on our recent pipeline problems. I'm waiting for them to tell me that. I will print out one of these threads with replies from all over the country along with the fact that I haven't had a problem with my wifes Ford. I was having the problem but three weeks ago went back to strictly Chevron and it's gone now. I swear by Chevron! 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: michigan
Originally Posted by zimbo
I don't know if it heard me threatening more wrenching and curses, but i took it up to the local chevron station which is also a little country store, went in and got a bottle of Techron and put it in the tank. Drove over to the pump and filled up and when i started up, the gauge leaped up to full as if it was scared i was going to smack it one. Going to try this for a while and if it doesn't do the trick i will pull the senders and see if i cant clean them up. I have to agree that the manufacturer should have a good idea of what gasoline is available and make a sender thats compatible, specially for a flagship vehicle like the vette. Any way as long as its listening i'm happy
Going to try this for a while and if it doesn't do the trick i will pull the senders and see if i cant clean them up. I have to agree that the manufacturer should have a good idea of what gasoline is available and make a sender thats compatible, specially for a flagship vehicle like the vette. Any way as long as its listening i'm happy 
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Had mine replaced on my '99 - not sure just how hard it is to do since it was done underwarranty. Good luck if you decide to do this yourself.
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands TX
I had the sender problem for the 3 months so I tried the Chevron brand and for the last 5 tanks, guess what? No more problem. It seemed to cure it on the first tank.
Since my car is under warranty, I will probably take it in for repair if it happens again. I've been hestating knowing the quality of repair work at some dealerships.
Since my car is under warranty, I will probably take it in for repair if it happens again. I've been hestating knowing the quality of repair work at some dealerships.