Erratic Fuel Gage Help Needed
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Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Erratic Fuel Gage Help Needed
1998 Vert with 47,000 miles. During our trip to the Cruise on the Coast this past week we left with a full tank of fuel. After about 45 minutes of driving the fuel gage pegged out to empty and Check Gages light came on. Stopped for a break for about 20 minutes or so and when we got back on the road the Fuel Gage was working fine and Check Gages light did not illuminate. And then approximately another 45 minutes or so of driving the gage pegged out to empty again. Seems like when the car is driven for nearly an hour the gage pegs out to empty and stays that way until car is parked and cooled off. Local runs of 30 minutes or so does not effect the gage, works fine. Can anyone help me out with this delima ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Do a search and you will find a lot of posts with conditions similar to what you describe. In a nut shell this is a common problem as sulfer and other deposits build up on the linkages to the sensing device in the tank. Get a couple bottles of Techron or similar product and add one bottle to the tank over each of the next couple of fill up's. (If you get the small bottle you may need to add two bottles per fillup to get adequate concentration). This helps dissolve the deposits and frees up the bind points they created on the linkages. That should get you back to normal. Then a bottle of Techron every few months or so to minimize this happening again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 40
From: Edmonton Alberta
I've read about some owners that had good success with GM's "Fuel System Treatment Plus" product as well.
P.S. You may have to add it more than once to clean thoroughly.
P.S. You may have to add it more than once to clean thoroughly.
Last edited by B-Vette; Oct 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,899
Likes: 1,839
From: Hot Springs AR
Techron will solve these problems in many cases, but not in all. One thing you can do is to clear the code whenever it occurs, it's not that hard (you can do this while driving, I've done it many times).
1. Push and hold the Options button on the DIC
2. Push the Fuel button 4 times (DIC will enter Diagnostics mode).
3. Release the Options button
4. Press the Reset button to exit Automatic Diagnostics mode (manual mode is entered)
5. When the PCM list comes up (it's the first one), press and hold the Reset button until the PCM codes clear.
At this time you'll recover function of the fuel gauge. The Check Engine light may or may not go out immediately. If it doesn't, it should within a few minutes.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
1. Push and hold the Options button on the DIC
2. Push the Fuel button 4 times (DIC will enter Diagnostics mode).
3. Release the Options button
4. Press the Reset button to exit Automatic Diagnostics mode (manual mode is entered)
5. When the PCM list comes up (it's the first one), press and hold the Reset button until the PCM codes clear.
At this time you'll recover function of the fuel gauge. The Check Engine light may or may not go out immediately. If it doesn't, it should within a few minutes.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
