The other day I drove from Atlanta to Daytona Beach, FL (about 460 miles). About half way there, all of a sudden the red light on the dash "Check Gauges" comes on and my fuel gauge goes from almost totally full to absolutly empty. Now i know im not low on fuel, and ive heard of how the fuel gauge on the vettes arent totally reliable, but its just so wierd when it finally happens to you. Then after about a minute it goes back to normal fuel gauge reading, and then a few min after that the "Check Gauge" light went off.
Ive never had any severe problems with the guage except for the occasional 50% full indication for a few min when ive just filled up.

Has this happened to many here before?

Thanks

 

Join the club, I am on my second fuel sending unit.

Go get it checked out before you get stranded

 

The same thing happened to me. GM has admitted that the fule sensor is flawed with the sulfur and additives of some gasolines being used. Here in NJ, I stopped using Sunoco Ultra because I never had this problem until after I started using them and about 3 tank fills. ED from Corvette paramedics inform me that the first thing to do is change the brand of gas and if the damage was not severe enough it would go back to normal. I had notice (after it happened I panic and used the nearest gas station - a Gulf station) the problem seems to have gone away. He said (Ed) that I should notice it working again after 2-3 tank fills. If the damage is bad or beyond the repairable point, I will cost about 800.00 to 900.00 to repair the sending sensor in the tanks. I recomend you look into wha brand of gas have you used recently and avoid it.
bye

 

My 2000 I use to have did this same thing after I had just topped off with Shell gas.

I used up that gas as fast as possible(hehe), filled up with Mobil One and a bottle of Techron. It took 2 tankfulls but the guage returned to normal with no more problems.

Oh BTW, Zilla, love the new avatar, the other were creepy.

Scott

 

I was having the problem with my gas guage as well, it was good from a full tank to just under a half a tank, then it would randomly drop down to empty.

Lately I've been trying to use Chevron or BP (formely Amoco) and it seem to be getting better. But what I think has really been helping is I bought about 6 bottles of fuel additive which only cost about $1.30 each. I forget the brand but it specifically said something about cleaning. I used one bottle per fillup and by around the 4th fill up it started going back to normal. Now it works down to just under a 1/4 tank then goes to emply. I'm going to get another 6 bottles and see what happens.

Hope this helps

 

If/when, you take your car to a dealer they will reflash the PCM. Besides the colum lock there is an update for better knock detection and instructions for the CPU to ignore the spikes which are sent out by the fuel sensor.

Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM) #02-06-04-010A - (06/27/2003)
Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM)
1999-2002 Chevrolet Corvette
This bulletin is being revised to add models and update the Correction and Warranty Information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-04-010 (Section 06- Engine).
Condition
Some owners may comment about the fuel gauge intermittently indicating an empty reading and then return to the correct fuel level indication.
Cause
This condition may result when fuel blends containing aggressive sulphur compounds react with the fuel sender assembly, which may result in voltage spikes being induced on the fuel level signal to the PCM. Use of another fuel blend may reverse this reaction and return the system to normal operation.
Correction
Reprogram the PCM with the new service calibration which is available in the June 2003, Techline® TIS release sent to the dealers on 6/28/03. Use the TIS Version 7 or later data update.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

J6354
Powertrain Controller - Reprogram

 

I was having the problem with my gas guage as well, it was good from a full tank to just under a half a tank, then it would randomly drop down to empty.

Lately I've been trying to use Chevron or BP (formely Amoco) and it seem to be getting better. But what I think has really been helping is I bought about 6 bottles of fuel additive which only cost about $1.30 each. I forget the brand but it specifically said something about cleaning. I used one bottle per fillup and by around the 4th fill up it started going back to normal. Now it works down to just under a 1/4 tank then goes to emply. I'm going to get another 6 bottles and see what happens.

Hope this helps

 

Recently had the same problem on a trip to Taos - the gauge dropped to zero, and the warning notice came on. I knew I had 5/8 of a tank when I left, and had only travelled about 120 miles. I made it to Taos, filled up the tank, and it worked fine after that. I now reset the trip meter when I fill up. Can't be too careful!

I also drove into Taos watching the instant mpg DIC message, to make sure my walk (if any) was as short as possible!

 

Had this happen to my '99. Dealer replaced the fuel sending units. Recently it seems like high sulfur content in fuel has caused a number of problems. Maybe try switching gas brands.

 

im switchin gas i guess then...

thanks!