Gas Gauge Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 7
From: Nicholasville KY
Gas Gauge Problem
I just bought my first Vette, a '98 with 25K miles. I filled up with gas for the trip home, but the gauge only went up to 15/16. I also noticed the mileage range kept increasing, as opposed to gradually decreasing. On the way home, with about 50 miles driven, the red "Check Gauge" warning light came on and I noticed the gas gauge needle had pegged zero!
Scared the cr-p out of me!! I continued to drive the additional 25 miles home with the same status and now the range count is blank. When I got home I stopped up at the neighbor's house to show off my new toy, but I wasn't home. Restarted the car and now the warning light is off and the gas gauge reads about 7/8. I drove it in to work this morning
with no problem. What's up with the gauge??
Scared the cr-p out of me!! I continued to drive the additional 25 miles home with the same status and now the range count is blank. When I got home I stopped up at the neighbor's house to show off my new toy, but I wasn't home. Restarted the car and now the warning light is off and the gas gauge reads about 7/8. I drove it in to work this morning
with no problem. What's up with the gauge??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
A common problem. You need to clean your fuel sender unit(s) by adding Techron (a gasoline additive) to gas. Then try some good quality gas (low sulphur), Mobil gas works for me.
You can search for lots of threads on this. Here is one:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...lem&forum_id=1
You can search for lots of threads on this. Here is one:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...lem&forum_id=1
Last edited by Oldvetter; Mar 24, 2006 at 08:32 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Gallatin TN
This is a common problem with the c5. I had the same thing happen to me. I put a bottle of techron in the tank for the next 2 tanks of gas and I switched to top tier gas. http://www.toptiergas.com/ I dont have Chevron stations in my area so I do have to continue to add a bottle of techron every 3rd tank to keep the issue from coming back.
You could also go the expensive route and have the fuel level sensors replaced but that’s a lot of $.
You could also go the expensive route and have the fuel level sensors replaced but that’s a lot of $.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: Tampa fl
Originally Posted by docbrew
This is a common problem with the c5. I had the same thing happen to me. I put a bottle of techron in the tank for the next 2 tanks of gas and I switched to top tier gas. http://www.toptiergas.com/ I dont have Chevron stations in my area so I do have to continue to add a bottle of techron every 3rd tank to keep the issue from coming back.
You could also go the expensive route and have the fuel level sensors replaced but that’s a lot of $.
You could also go the expensive route and have the fuel level sensors replaced but that’s a lot of $.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by BlueL36
two tankfuls and it's cured.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Like everyone said...common. I just wish the Techron trick would work for mine. I use Chevron gas and it still does it! Used to wait to fail when it was less than a 1/4 left...now, right after it goes below 1/2 it drops. I just try to keep it filled up. 
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
Sadly enough, just one of the "perks" we enjoy as C5 owners. Use Exxon or Chevron or in a pinch Shell and have had little troubles with this but every once in a while it will happen and scare the XXXX out of me.