Gas gauge not working...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
Gas gauge not working...
Got a "low fuel" on my DIC and noticed my gauge was all the way down. I knew I had at least half a tank, but filled up anyway and checked for leaks.
Definite gas gauge or I guess it could be the meter in the gas tank?
Anyone else had a similar problem?
Definite gas gauge or I guess it could be the meter in the gas tank?
Anyone else had a similar problem?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 19
From: ME
I put a bottle of techron in my tank for 3 consecutive tanks and no more gas gauge problems. It cleans off the sensor, apparently GM used some sensitive resistors for their level sensor and regular gas contaminates the sensor. Try 3-4 bottles of techron for 3-4 tanks and if that doesn't help THEN bring it to the dealer. It looks like yours is newer so your pump and ejector/sensor is above the tank, requiring alot more work. (I think....)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: Hutschenhausen
Originally Posted by 01redfreak
Got a "low fuel" on my DIC and noticed my gauge was all the way down. I knew I had at least half a tank, but filled up anyway and checked for leaks.
Definite gas gauge or I guess it could be the meter in the gas tank?
Anyone else had a similar problem?
Definite gas gauge or I guess it could be the meter in the gas tank?
Anyone else had a similar problem?
Smash
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Columbus OH
Had the same problem last month. Looked around here and found out everyone has it. Didn't make me feel any better but at least I knew I wasn't alone. It "healed" itself mysteriously, but now I know the cause so I can address it next time with the Techron.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
A good synthetic fuel system cleaner is the first thing to try.
Chevron, Berryman's B-12 BG 44K are all ones that help.
The problem is either
1. deposits on the fule sending unit which the above will fix ( might take dosing the 3 tankfuls. To expedite it use either Chevron or Shell V power or amoco ultimate... they all have latest gerneration detergent packages at higher levels than the industry average
2. It could be a ground problem. there are posts on this topic that show where the problem is and how to fix it. DO a search on gas gauge ground
3. A faulty fuel sending unit. This requires the gas tanks to be dropped and the unit(s) replaced. This is the most costly fix and why the other two should be checked first
Good Luck
Chevron, Berryman's B-12 BG 44K are all ones that help.
The problem is either
1. deposits on the fule sending unit which the above will fix ( might take dosing the 3 tankfuls. To expedite it use either Chevron or Shell V power or amoco ultimate... they all have latest gerneration detergent packages at higher levels than the industry average
2. It could be a ground problem. there are posts on this topic that show where the problem is and how to fix it. DO a search on gas gauge ground
3. A faulty fuel sending unit. This requires the gas tanks to be dropped and the unit(s) replaced. This is the most costly fix and why the other two should be checked first
Good Luck
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
I've been blessed with this early on with both of my C5's. My solution was to alternate brands of gas with each fill up. It took a couple/few tank fulls for it to stop happening, but once it stopped it hasn't come back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
Originally Posted by 01redfreak
Got a "low fuel" on my DIC and noticed my gauge was all the way down. I knew I had at least half a tank, but filled up anyway and checked for leaks.
Definite gas gauge or I guess it could be the meter in the gas tank?
Anyone else had a similar problem?
Definite gas gauge or I guess it could be the meter in the gas tank?
Anyone else had a similar problem?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
Thanks guys...no I'm not new...joined in '04.
I went ahead and took it to the dealer. Come to find out, I have a power steering pump leak also. Lucky I still have my extended warranty.
I went ahead and took it to the dealer. Come to find out, I have a power steering pump leak also. Lucky I still have my extended warranty.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Running better gas and hoping it will fix itself is just walking around the problem. Don't avoid it. The fuel sending units, there are two of them, are dirty and the contacts simply need to be cleaned. Pull off the rear tires and in the front of the rear fenderwell is the fuel sending unit. A 3/8" fuel line disconect tool is highly recommended because 4 total gas lines must be disconnected, two on each side. Pull the sending units out and clean the contacts with electical cleaner and reinstall. This fixed my problem which had the same symptoms as yours and many others. There is also a good link somewhere on the forum but I don't know where expaining this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
From: Alhambra Calismognazifornia, in the country everyone comes just to complain but won't go back home!
this happened to me within the first year of owning my '02. i took it to the dealer and they changed out the sending unit(s). it was fine for the next 3 years until it happened to me last week again. it reset itself and came back online at the next startup and was fine for another week until it did it to me again. i think i still have a bit left on my extended warranty so i'll probably take it in and have them changed out for new ones. 
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
I had the same problem. When I started using Chevron gas only, problem went away for one year then reappeared. Since the dealer re-flashed my computer, I have yet to have a reoccurrence of the problem over the past 1½ year. I believe the re-flashing will work only on 2000 to 2003 year cars.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Shelby Township MI
I recommend that you switch to one of these brands of gasoline.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hope it's not a coincidence
I had the same problem with the guage at the same time as work was done including a new fuel pump. Randomly on and off until I read the post and put some HYPER FUEL fuel system lleaner. Worked instantly. Let's hope it stays that way. I'll check back in next week 
.
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
From: Alhambra Calismognazifornia, in the country everyone comes just to complain but won't go back home!
BTW, I NEVER use anything other than Chevron or 76, probably close to 50/50, and I still am dealing with this again...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 0
From: Nokomis FL
Originally Posted by BobbyO
I recommend that you switch to one of these brands of gasoline.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
It worked for me. I used Mobile exclusively for 3 years and then along came THE PROBLEM. I used Techtron every other tank with little help. Changed over a year ago, 20k miles, to Shell and Chevron and had zero problems since.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Had the same problem on my '98. Gauge would go down to E even though it was 3/4 filled. Spoke to Chev Service Mgr and he said to use Chevron Techron additive for two or three tanks of gas and problem should disappear. He added that most if not all gas, regardless of brand, is oxygenated and that causes corrosion on the wires/board of the sending unit. After the initial 2-3 treatments, a bottle of Techron every once in a while will help stop the corrosion. The 12oz bottle is around $6 and a 20oz bottle is about $10.
Cheers
Cheers
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
I had this exact problem and haven't a single problem since I fixed it. Pull the sending units and clean the electrode. Trying to use some sort of "better" gas is just a load of bull. By trying 76 or Chevron you are effectively trying to clean the electrode but in an ineffective way. Unless you like just hoping the problem will fix itself, and sometimes it seems to have, the sensors need to removed and cleaned. It is an easy job and it the correct way to fix it. The stealerships say to use the fuel method because they don't want to replace the expensive sending units. And in response to Old Rotor Head’s problem returning, the new sending units that the dealer installed eventually got dirty again just like before, no matter what gas you run the problem will eventually return… But choices in gas stations is a different story.
