Intermitent fuel guage
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Intermitent fuel guage
Ok guys im new to Corvettes... I got an 02 Z06 with 22K miles.. what im getting is weird fuel guage readings every so often I look at my guage and it shows alot less fuel than I think I should have... I stop turn the car off then turn it back on it reads correct. Ive noticed this 3 times in the past week... what am I missing here? why would it read corectly after I restart the car? that to me wouldent say bad sender? possibly bad ground some where? I have read senders are a weak spot on these cars but would it act like this? and if so how would I test/replace it?
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Recently had the same problem with my 01 coupe with 25,000. The fuel level would drop to empty when I reached approximately 5/8 of a tank. I first removed fuel level sender on drivers side. After of course I made sure I had less than 1 gal left in tank. Jack up per an oil change procedure. Remove rear left tire to give easy access. Remove tank shield. I put oil pan under to catch any remaining fuel. Then I slowly removed bolts that hold unit in tank. Once I was sure all fuel was empty I then removed send unit and gasket. Be careful not to damage rubber gasket. I then backed out unit at a 45 degree angle and removed from system. I then cleaned the potentiometer with a Q-tip and a little alcohol. I then took tweezers and slightly bent contact points in, till I got a nice reading on Ohm's meter, with no bad readings. I also cleaned the points with 600 sandpaper (very lightly to get a new surface). Re-installed, then duplicated procedure on passenger side. Works GREAT!!! and I guess I saved $700. Guess I'll buy a new exhaust system.
What's a good one? any recommendations would be appreciated.
What's a good one? any recommendations would be appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Other members with this problem are correcting it with a $10 bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner from Auto Works. I just put my first bottle in after recently running out of gas due to the dreaded fuel gauge drop. 
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Nice writeup by a69metsfan. But before attempting this procedure, you may want to try the Techron in the tank. 
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Nice writeup by a69metsfan. But before attempting this procedure, you may want to try the Techron in the tank.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 19
From: ME
My gauge was doing the SAME thing. After the first bottle of techron the gauge worked much better, but then one day (after 5/8ths of the tank) went to completely empty and from there kept on acting up. I'm on my second bottle now, and just put it in so I hope it works entirely this time, I know the first bottle helped a little, well see!!! Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: VA
All of the guys I work with have had this problem and have had both of the fuel sending units replaced. Since mine is out of warranty, the dealer tolder me it was $780 to replace the left side, and another $560 to replace the left. I'll try the Techron. The sticky on weights and measurements has a link that is helpful in understanding this problem.
