Fuel Gauge Problem Please help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Charlotte NoCar
National Champs Gators 4 St. Jude '09
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
You may also want to try adding a bottle of Techron additive (can find it at auto parts stores). The sending unit in the tank can sometimes become dirty from lower grade gas and the Techron seems to do a good job in fixing the issue. Same thing happened to me and the Techron did wonders. Good luck 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
Sending unit sticking problem...
Many have experienced your problem..including me . Techron additive by Chevron...available at all auto stores, will most likely solve this problem. You get you gas tank near empty, pour in the large size "20 gals." size of Techron....then fill up your gas tank with gas. After 2 of these Techron-added fill ups your problem should go away. Techron will unstick that sending unit & also clean those injectors. This fuel gage senario occurs mostly with Vettes that sit for long periods, than ones driven daily....or, could be the brand of gas you use. But, a bottle of Techron with every 3rd or 4th fill up will keep that sending unit freed up....Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12
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Thanks
I am on my way to the store...... I hope ie works since I just got car and have a veru un-easy feeling since I do drive the every day. The prevoius owner put 2K in in a year.
I try not to put cheap gas in it.
I try not to put cheap gas in it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
There's your problem...
"PREVIOUS OWNER"...did Not drive it enough to keep gas additives from gumming up the sending unit....they do gum up easily if not driven much.
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
It is not the fuel, it is the brand of fuel you use. 93 octane is 93 octane no matter where you get it. It is the detergents and additives that a certain company may add to their fuel.
www.toptiergas.com is a good place to check. Its funny because Mobil claims to be the best in cleaning additives, but is NOT on the list.
The techron works well, I add 2 bottles every spring into my first "new" tank of fuel, after storage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Branchburg, NJ
Many have experienced your problem..including me . Techron additive by Chevron...available at all auto stores, will most likely solve this problem. You get you gas tank near empty, pour in the large size "20 gals." size of Techron....then fill up your gas tank with gas. After 2 of these Techron-added fill ups your problem should go away. Techron will unstick that sending unit & also clean those injectors. This fuel gage senario occurs mostly with Vettes that sit for long periods, than ones driven daily....or, could be the brand of gas you use. But, a bottle of Techron with every 3rd or 4th fill up will keep that sending unit freed up....Good Luck!
I'm going to bring it in AGAIN to get it fixed under GMPP, but in the meantime, I just reset the code and it fills back up.
I've run out of gas TWICE already with the gauge showing 1/8 left!
Car only sees Shell V-Power- so I'm not cheapin out here
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 251
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From: DFW texas
I just had my sending unit replaced yesturday. Or actually, they replaced one of the tanks, due to sending unit failing. Same thing, I went up a steep hill, then gage went to E "low fuel" all of that sht. It was under extended warrantee. Would have been a $1200 fix.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York
You may also want to try adding a bottle of Techron additive (can find it at auto parts stores). The sending unit in the tank can sometimes become dirty from lower grade gas and the Techron seems to do a good job in fixing the issue. Same thing happened to me and the Techron did wonders. Good luck
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Roswell GA
Many have experienced your problem..including me . Techron additive by Chevron...available at all auto stores, will most likely solve this problem. You get you gas tank near empty, pour in the large size "20 gals." size of Techron....then fill up your gas tank with gas. After 2 of these Techron-added fill ups your problem should go away. Techron will unstick that sending unit & also clean those injectors. This fuel gage senario occurs mostly with Vettes that sit for long periods, than ones driven daily....or, could be the brand of gas you use. But, a bottle of Techron with every 3rd or 4th fill up will keep that sending unit freed up....Good Luck!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton or
Why should we have to deal with this BS?? I've had my car in twice already to replace sending units, sensors, blah blah blah, and my gauge STILL goes to "E" NUMEROUS times per tank!
I'm going to bring it in AGAIN to get it fixed under GMPP, but in the meantime, I just reset the code and it fills back up.
I've run out of gas TWICE already with the gauge showing 1/8 left!
Car only sees Shell V-Power- so I'm not cheapin out here
I'm going to bring it in AGAIN to get it fixed under GMPP, but in the meantime, I just reset the code and it fills back up.
I've run out of gas TWICE already with the gauge showing 1/8 left!
Car only sees Shell V-Power- so I'm not cheapin out here
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
Shell....?
.....you are not the only one who has experienced this problem using Shell gas. Some time ago, info was published about an additive Shell was using that caused gumming/sticking problems with gas tank sending units. Shell has since remedied this problem, but many sending units were affected....so, there is probable validity to this. I used Shell fill ups (no Amoco's available) on a 1000 mile trip several years ago....and then let the Vette sit for 45 days while we settled into our new home. Weeks later, gas gage started acting up...read about "the Techron fix" on this Forum & solved my problem. I feel it is TWO things: 1.all gas has additives ...2.sitting in tank for long periods allows additive build-up on sending units (some stick worst than others)....and evidently Corvette sending units are more susceptible to this .......
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
To some extent it can be the fuel brand, but more often than not the problem stems from the fact that the C5 has two tanks. The passenger side tank is constantly pumped to keep the driver side tank full. When the passenger side pumps down and exposes the level sender for extended periods of time, fuel residue can gum up the sender and in some cases form deposits on the contacts and components.
And just a reinforcement of a tip mentioned above but maybe not stressed strongly enough - do NOT fill the tank first and THEN put in the Techron or Sea Foam. Put the additive into the car when both tanks are near empty. If the problem is severe, put in a double dose of the additive. The only way the additive gets to the passenger side tank is by putting the product into EMPTY tanks so that the blend is transferred to the passenger side.
For those who have Chevron stations nearby, this fuel has Techron in it from the pump. I think Texaco has it as well but can't remember for sure.
Charlie
And just a reinforcement of a tip mentioned above but maybe not stressed strongly enough - do NOT fill the tank first and THEN put in the Techron or Sea Foam. Put the additive into the car when both tanks are near empty. If the problem is severe, put in a double dose of the additive. The only way the additive gets to the passenger side tank is by putting the product into EMPTY tanks so that the blend is transferred to the passenger side.
For those who have Chevron stations nearby, this fuel has Techron in it from the pump. I think Texaco has it as well but can't remember for sure.
Charlie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 3
From: NW Chicago, IL/Clearwater Beach, FL
I bought my car used in nov. of 2003, I used BP only in my car. And last week I had this problem also.....I just put in a bottle of techron hoping this will take care of the problem...so I don’t think it’s the gas people use.....i think its letting the car sit and not letting the gas tanks go below a half tank once in a while. my car really never gets below 3/4 then i top it off, i think thats my problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Sulfur in the fuel makes deposits on the sensor potentiometer which detergents like Techron or Seafoam remove. Leaving the deposits out of the wet fuel lets the deposits harden. I don't think BP has a detergent comparable to Techron even though it is a good fuel. Adding the detergent to a mostly empty tank to be sure it is carried over to both tanks will help.
Charlie
Charlie
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
1999 - 2002: Service Bulletin: Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM)
Subject: Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM)
Source: Chevrolet Dealer Technical Service Bulletin
Number: 02-06-04-010A - (06/27/2003)
Models: 1999-2002 Chevrolet Corvette
This bulletin is being revised to add models and update the Correction and Warranty Information. Please
discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-04-010 (Section 06- Engine).
Condition:
Some owners may comment about the fuel gauge intermittently indicating an empty reading and then
return to the correct fuel level indication.
Cause:
This condition may result when fuel blends containing aggressive sulphur compounds react with the fuel
sender assembly, which may result in voltage spikes being induced on the fuel level signal to the PCM.
Use of another fuel blend may reverse this reaction and return the system to normal operation.
Correction:
Reprogram the PCM with the new service calibration which is available in the June 2003, Techline®
TIS release sent to the dealers on 6/28/03. Use the TIS Version 7 or later data update.
Source: Chevrolet Dealer Technical Service Bulletin
Number: 02-06-04-010A - (06/27/2003)
Models: 1999-2002 Chevrolet Corvette
This bulletin is being revised to add models and update the Correction and Warranty Information. Please
discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-04-010 (Section 06- Engine).
Condition:
Some owners may comment about the fuel gauge intermittently indicating an empty reading and then
return to the correct fuel level indication.
Cause:
This condition may result when fuel blends containing aggressive sulphur compounds react with the fuel
sender assembly, which may result in voltage spikes being induced on the fuel level signal to the PCM.
Use of another fuel blend may reverse this reaction and return the system to normal operation.
Correction:
Reprogram the PCM with the new service calibration which is available in the June 2003, Techline®
TIS release sent to the dealers on 6/28/03. Use the TIS Version 7 or later data update.
