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Stupid Fuel Gauge problems...

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Old May 14, 2006 | 10:25 PM
  #1  
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Default Stupid Fuel Gauge problems...

I know the topic of fuel gauge problems has been discussed here before, but I am having no luck fixing mine with Techcron. I am wondering if I may have a different issue with mine. Here is what happens:

When we are driving the car around town and on short trips, the fuel guage works fine except the needle never completely reaches full (it shows about 9/10th of a tank full.) When we drive the car on a trip of at least 50-60 miles, the fuel guage will cease to work, drop to empty and the "check guages" light will appear. I have tried using Techcron, but it continues to happen. I only use Chevron, Exxon or Texaco (now it is Chevron fuel) Premium fuel. Any of you guys have any other ideas, or is this one that I'll just have to take to a dealer and prepare to shell out the big bucks?
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Old May 15, 2006 | 02:25 AM
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Try cleaning the sensor in the tank. You have to drain the gas and remove the pump out of the drivers tank. Take a look at it, clean it up and see if it helps. It is a nice saturday project, only takes me about 30 minutes on a lift. Plan for more if you have to use jack stands
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Old May 15, 2006 | 11:39 AM
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Thanks Mr. Big
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Old May 15, 2006 | 12:10 PM
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There was a post in the past suggesting the ground connection for the sensor was more likely to be a cuplrit that the sensor itself.
As I recalll the post also had a photo showing the location and the corroded ground...
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Old May 15, 2006 | 01:42 PM
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Something stronger than Techron is SEA FOAM! Autozone and Advance sell the stuff. The GM dealers also have it but charge a lot more money!! The stuff is amazing!!! Give that a try. just dump it in the tank. it cleans EVERYTHING!!!!

If that doesn't work, remove the senders (BOTH) and hand clean them. I have pictures of Chassis ground G-401 and I will send it to you tonight when I get home from work.

Bill Curlee
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Old May 15, 2006 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Big
Try cleaning the sensor in the tank. You have to drain the gas and remove the pump out of the drivers tank. Take a look at it, clean it up and see if it helps. It is a nice saturday project, only takes me about 30 minutes on a lift. Plan for more if you have to use jack stands
If you are going to go far enough to take the sender out, I would replace it.
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Old Jul 13, 2006 | 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by crawfish333
I know the topic of fuel gauge problems has been discussed here before, but I am having no luck fixing mine with Techcron. I am wondering if I may have a different issue with mine. Here is what happens:

When we are driving the car around town and on short trips, the fuel guage works fine except the needle never completely reaches full (it shows about 9/10th of a tank full.) When we drive the car on a trip of at least 50-60 miles, the fuel guage will cease to work, drop to empty and the "check guages" light will appear. I have tried using Techcron, but it continues to happen. I only use Chevron, Exxon or Texaco (now it is Chevron fuel) Premium fuel. Any of you guys have any other ideas, or is this one that I'll just have to take to a dealer and prepare to shell out the big bucks?
I'm having this exact problem. Filled the car up and needle didn't reach full. At half a tank, gauge completely went dead.
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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 07:58 AM
  #8  
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Default The GAS???

I have had this problem in the pasted since the day the car was new.
It only happened to me if I got stuck having to fill with one of the cheaper gas brands, i.e Speedway, Clark, Citco, etc... I have read here before about the sulfur content in the gas causing this problem.
The next tank of BP or Mobil the gas gauge worked fine again.
I also have been running mid-grade gas almost since the day I bought it.
I have never had a pinging problem get about 32 MPG on the highway and pulled what I think are some pretty good numbers for a stock motor. These where done at a "Dyno Day" at a local shop with about a dozen other C5s. The only Vettes that pulled higher were the Z06s, I even out pulled the cars with headers. Maybe they needed a TUNE?

Maybe the lower octane helped? It burns easier. Maybe I should see if I ping on regular?
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Old Jul 14, 2006 | 08:26 AM
  #9  
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See what code you have set. That will tell you which sensor is bad. Had mine replaced at dealer about 2 months ago. None of the suggestions on the board helped. It was under warranty for me.

Thank God
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