FUEL Guage problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 6
From: Boca Raton Florida
FUEL Guage problem
Ive seen it on this forum before but wondered if there are any quick fixes.....when my car was under warranty, a couple of times when I filled up, the gauge would show half full, then slowly but surely, after about five minutes, get up to full....lately, sometimes when I start up,
it shows Low Fuel but then slowly goes up to reality of quarter full...when I filled up last night, the guage was on E and the Range was blank......about five minutes later while driving it went from E and blank to full and Range 375....five minutes later back to E and blank...some say a 'fuel additive' can fix it....others say certain kinds of gas....some say pricey 'sender' replace is the only fix...
Anything new on this??? PCM? Also, for a short time last night, my turn signals didn't work.
it shows Low Fuel but then slowly goes up to reality of quarter full...when I filled up last night, the guage was on E and the Range was blank......about five minutes later while driving it went from E and blank to full and Range 375....five minutes later back to E and blank...some say a 'fuel additive' can fix it....others say certain kinds of gas....some say pricey 'sender' replace is the only fix...
Anything new on this??? PCM? Also, for a short time last night, my turn signals didn't work.
Last edited by lottavettes; Dec 11, 2004 at 12:06 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Do you run the car while filling?
If so that happens on every car I have owned, I have to shut it off and then it shows full right away.
If so that happens on every car I have owned, I have to shut it off and then it shows full right away.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 6
From: Boca Raton Florida
No. I always turn it off while filling.....I have a feeling that when I run this tank down to 3/4 or so, everything will work fine again but we shall see....intermittant problems in the past only happened when below 1/4 or F.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 175
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From: Gainesville va
I have read about the Chevron Gas and the Techron additive. Don't know if it works but it can''t hurt to try. I just started to get the slow refill and I just put in the additive with a complete refill with Chevron. So I will see how it works real soon. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Chevron gas and add techron will not solve the problem all the time. Some people have had success but I had my sending unit replaced and I still have the problem and have been using Chevron gas 99 % of the time.
As for fill your tank when the car is running that has you inline for a Darwin award
As for fill your tank when the car is running that has you inline for a Darwin award
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Groton Ct
Similar problem on my 98. Driving around, everything is fine, tank is full then Boom - empty! It seems to happen only when I travel out of area. Maybe it is because I use a different gas that the sender is not used to? It seems pretty silly, but the only think that fixes it is turning off the car for a few and starting it again.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 6
From: Boca Raton Florida
Im trying to figure out how the type of gas or an additive would have anything to do with it....by the way, I normally never use Chevron gas but I filled with it last night and then I had my worst indications....it had never gone all the way to E before or the Range to blank. 
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Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
You can also add Redline Complete Fuel System cleaner. It's mild but is a good product.
The suspicion is that the C5's fuel sender sensors are sensitive to higher sulphur levels or other ingredients that over time can cause the sensors to not report the fuel level. GM's latest service bulletin to fix this is to reprogram the PCM due to this sulphur detection sensitivity.
I've used the Redline product about once every 5K miles. A few months ago I noticed my fuel gauge for the first time was real slow to move to Full after a fill (it usually goes to F immediately) and I hadn't added Redline for quite some time. I had also been using other gas stations than I had in the past so I suspected the gas. I put a bottle of Redline in the tank and haven't had any problems since.
The suspicion is that the C5's fuel sender sensors are sensitive to higher sulphur levels or other ingredients that over time can cause the sensors to not report the fuel level. GM's latest service bulletin to fix this is to reprogram the PCM due to this sulphur detection sensitivity.
I've used the Redline product about once every 5K miles. A few months ago I noticed my fuel gauge for the first time was real slow to move to Full after a fill (it usually goes to F immediately) and I hadn't added Redline for quite some time. I had also been using other gas stations than I had in the past so I suspected the gas. I put a bottle of Redline in the tank and haven't had any problems since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,237
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From: Southern Maryland
Mine just started failing (53k miles). The dealer said it only needed re-programing to compensate for the "normal" sulfur buildup. It failed again after the first fill up. I'm going to give it a week with a Techtron diet and hope I don't have to take it back.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JC in XTC5
You can also add Redline Complete Fuel System cleaner. It's mild but is a good product.
The suspicion is that the C5's fuel sender sensors are sensitive to higher sulphur levels or other ingredients that over time can cause the sensors to not report the fuel level. GM's latest service bulletin to fix this is to reprogram the PCM due to this sulphur detection sensitivity.
I've used the Redline product about once every 5K miles. A few months ago I noticed my fuel gauge for the first time was real slow to move to Full after a fill (it usually goes to F immediately) and I hadn't added Redline for quite some time. I had also been using other gas stations than I had in the past so I suspected the gas. I put a bottle of Redline in the tank and haven't had any problems since.
The suspicion is that the C5's fuel sender sensors are sensitive to higher sulphur levels or other ingredients that over time can cause the sensors to not report the fuel level. GM's latest service bulletin to fix this is to reprogram the PCM due to this sulphur detection sensitivity.
I've used the Redline product about once every 5K miles. A few months ago I noticed my fuel gauge for the first time was real slow to move to Full after a fill (it usually goes to F immediately) and I hadn't added Redline for quite some time. I had also been using other gas stations than I had in the past so I suspected the gas. I put a bottle of Redline in the tank and haven't had any problems since.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
Chevron has done the trick for me. I had the problem right after I bought my Vette. Went to Chevron for a couple fillups and it quit. I took a trip to San Diego and used whatever was available along the freeway. On the way home it started again. When I got home I went back to Chevron and it's been fine since. Probably won't work for everyone but I swear by it.
If you read up on the problem it's the sulfur in some gas. I'd just experiment with different brands in your area if Chevron isn't available or go with the Techron additive.
If you read up on the problem it's the sulfur in some gas. I'd just experiment with different brands in your area if Chevron isn't available or go with the Techron additive.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Shelby Township MI
I'd try two successive tankfulls of gas laced with Chevron Techron Fuel Additive. Also if you have been using a particular brand of gas, switch to another brand for a while. I'd try Shell V-Power or any of the gasolines mentioned in the linked article if they are available in your area. Good Luck! 
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/...nt_092704.html
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/...nt_092704.html
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Originally Posted by vette_fanatic
cool that happens to me all the time. Dude where do I get the "Redline Complete Fuel System" ??? would u happen to have a link to a pic of a bottle of that thing so I know what to search for ?
I get Redline at Pep Boys. Here's a link:
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_fueladditives.asp
Moderator Emeritus
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From: Always living in a state of Confusion.
Gone, but not Forgotten
Cruise-In 5, 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
A common problem. The fuel sending units probably need replaced. There are two. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by lottavettes
I hear there are two sending units, a left and a right. They say try the left first and then the right.
They first replaced the left sender and reprogrammed my PCM, after it continued they are now replacing down left & right senders and redoing my pcm again. Hopefully this fixes it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
A lot of people say to change the sending units. Just my 2 cents, but I started to think about what makes the C5 sending units worse than any other car - I'm sure GM uses this same part on other cars in their stable, and I've never heard of such a high failure rate considering how common this fuel gauge problem is with C5s.
I believe the problem is more commonly caused by the sensitivity of the sending unit sensors vs. the sending unit actually failing. That seems confirmed by GMs most recent bulletin to reprogram the BCM to address this issue.
I would first try using a few tankfuls with either Techron or Redline to clean any deposits from the system. Only if that doesn't work would I go to the dealer and risk their monkeys on tearing apart the fuel tanks.
Again, just my 2 cents.
I believe the problem is more commonly caused by the sensitivity of the sending unit sensors vs. the sending unit actually failing. That seems confirmed by GMs most recent bulletin to reprogram the BCM to address this issue.
I would first try using a few tankfuls with either Techron or Redline to clean any deposits from the system. Only if that doesn't work would I go to the dealer and risk their monkeys on tearing apart the fuel tanks.
Again, just my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 6
From: Boca Raton Florida
I think it all comes down to 'on warranty' vs off....ON I would just keep bringing it back.....off, Im trying the new hi detergent gases, additives, and just living with it till it or the car goes away .......
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Marble Canyon AZ
More info on gas gage problems here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=944864 http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=965275
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=944864 http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=965275