Fuel gauge problem after pump install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
Fuel gauge problem after pump install
I just got done installing an ECS supercharger kit on an 02 Z06. I installed the racetronix pump and everything work perfect except the fuel gauge. When completely full it reads half a tank and then it eventually goes to empty when there is still more than half a tank in it. The owner says it never did this before. I guess my main question is did I just speed up the inevitable C5 fuel sender issue or could it be something else? What should I look for when I take it back apart? It's not like it's a tricky install so I'm not sure what I could have done wrong. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
bad sensors don't read or skip from lack of continuity from the resistive patch and the contacts in the sending unit. I have never been in a Corvette pump assembly, but if there is an arm and a float, sounds like it possiibly got bent. Also, the way it works is there is an input voltage, a ground and the sending unit reads somewhere in between indicating your fuel level. If you lost your good ground, or reference voltage isn't what it should be, it would cause this. You should put a meter on it to check to make sure the reference voltage is good, the ground is good and check the output at the pump. If they are what they should be, take it back apart and look inside the assembly for resistive connections and mechanical issues that would cause this.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
I just got done installing an ECS supercharger kit on an 02 Z06. I installed the racetronix pump and everything work perfect except the fuel gauge. When completely full it reads half a tank and then it eventually goes to empty when there is still more than half a tank in it. The owner says it never did this before. I guess my main question is did I just speed up the inevitable C5 fuel sender issue or could it be something else? What should I look for when I take it back apart? It's not like it's a tricky install so I'm not sure what I could have done wrong. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Put a can of Chevron's Techron in each time you refuel the car .... after about 3 cans the problem should go away. If not, the fuel senders need to be replaced.
Dump the DTC and they will confirm the fact that the fuel sender(s) is/are hanging up .... DTC P1431 through P1433 are a dead give-away for this problem.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
Mine reads to full after the Racetronics kit was installed but mine is leaving a coule of gallons that it won't pick up as verified when I ran out of gas and completely filled the tank. I have to be carefull not to run it too low or it just runs out of gas even though the guage says there should be more in their.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
Sounds to me like the "sticky sender" problem with the two fuel level sensors in the fuel tanks.
Put a can of Chevron's Techron in each time you refuel the car .... after about 3 cans the problem should go away. If not, the fuel senders need to be replaced.
Dump the DTC and they will confirm the fact that the fuel sender(s) is/are hanging up .... DTC P1431 through P1433 are a dead give-away for this problem.
Put a can of Chevron's Techron in each time you refuel the car .... after about 3 cans the problem should go away. If not, the fuel senders need to be replaced.
Dump the DTC and they will confirm the fact that the fuel sender(s) is/are hanging up .... DTC P1431 through P1433 are a dead give-away for this problem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
bad sensors don't read or skip from lack of continuity from the resistive patch and the contacts in the sending unit. I have never been in a Corvette pump assembly, but if there is an arm and a float, sounds like it possiibly got bent. Also, the way it works is there is an input voltage, a ground and the sending unit reads somewhere in between indicating your fuel level. If you lost your good ground, or reference voltage isn't what it should be, it would cause this. You should put a meter on it to check to make sure the reference voltage is good, the ground is good and check the output at the pump. If they are what they should be, take it back apart and look inside the assembly for resistive connections and mechanical issues that would cause this.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
For future reference. I cheked and was throwing the fuel gauge codes. I removed the pump and found that the racetronix corrigated hose got twisted around and was keeping the float stuck down. I fixed it and cleared the codes and it fixed the problem.
