Gas Guage Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 116
Likes: 4
From: Madison,Mississippi,USA
Gas Guage Problem
My 97 c5 gave me a "Low Fuel" warning yesterday. The guage indicated that hte tank was below empty. The vehicle had a 3/4's tank of gas in it. I immediately fill the tank up (it held 8 gallons.) The guage then read as full. The Information Center now indicates that the Range of the car is 334 miles. I would think that the Range should read more than that. Anyone had a similar problem and can advise me how to fix? Thanks for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 125
From: NY-South Florida
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
I know that the C5 has had some issues with the fuel sending units. Apparently some fuels are affecting the connnections in the tank causing it to short out and give false readings. Ask your local dealer to check for bulletins that may apply.
Also run a search on the Forum.
Also run a search on the Forum.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
I had the sender changed last year because of a similar situation. There is definitely a service bulletin out because of this known problem but, since you have a ’97, they might not want to do it under warranty. Good luck. – C.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 1
From: Lynnfield MA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
First, welcome to the forum... Enjoy your time here!
I had the same problem and posted last week and I am setting up an appointment with the dealer this week... If the sending units in the tanks require servicing, your looking at a bill of over $700.00 from what I am being told...
Nick
I had the same problem and posted last week and I am setting up an appointment with the dealer this week... If the sending units in the tanks require servicing, your looking at a bill of over $700.00 from what I am being told...
Nick
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 576
Likes: 48
From: Woburn MA
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
I've got a 2000.
Had two events like you described over several months, the first one scared the crap out of me because it was very late and I wasn't close to any gas stations.
Since it was intermittant, I was reluctatant to bring it to the dealer fearing would it would be one of those "if I can't see it happen, I can't fix it" deals.
Now thanks to your post, I' ll bring it in. Sounds like there is a known problem and a service bulletin to guide the tech.
Thanks all :cheers:
Had two events like you described over several months, the first one scared the crap out of me because it was very late and I wasn't close to any gas stations.
Since it was intermittant, I was reluctatant to bring it to the dealer fearing would it would be one of those "if I can't see it happen, I can't fix it" deals.
Now thanks to your post, I' ll bring it in. Sounds like there is a known problem and a service bulletin to guide the tech.
Thanks all :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles CA
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
I've had the fuel level sender replaced last year, and it still gets squirrelly every once in a while. The answer is to reset the trip mileage at every fill-up, and use it as a cross-check. Forget relying on that Range gimmick altogether.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Re: Gas Guage Problem (Tuan Le)
I have the same problem with the fuel gauge also.
Everyone please wish me luck. I'm taking it in for service tomorrow.
-Tuan
Everyone please wish me luck. I'm taking it in for service tomorrow.
-Tuan
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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Kid Rock Fan
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
This is a VERY common problem on the C5's as I learned about two weeks after I got my '98.
You can read about it here, including the TSB.
And welcome to CF!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=129014
Dave :cheers:
You can read about it here, including the TSB.
And welcome to CF!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=129014
Dave :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 2
From: san diego ca
Re: Gas Guage Problem (Drop_Top_Dave)
Man i love this forum..I was experiencing the same problem last week..But figured i wouldn't post my problem thinking nobody else had delt with this..Only to find out there are several members that have incurred the same fuel level issue.
Thanks DropTopDave , i am going to print that post and bring it to my dealer.
Jeff
Thanks DropTopDave , i am going to print that post and bring it to my dealer.
Jeff
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,535
Likes: 115
From: Arlington TX
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
Had mine in a month or so ago for this, dealer actually believed me and just changed the sender and fuel pump as they said it was one unit. I asked about the sensor on the other side and they tried to tell me this has no effect. Well last week I fill the car for the first time since the "fix" I was at 3/8 a tank of fuel and took over 17 gallons. So it is still off. I will have to run the tank out a again and take it back to get the other side changed, oh well got a new fuel pump out of the deal and a full tank of gas.
[Modified by rgregory, 8:59 PM 3/18/2002]
[Modified by rgregory, 8:59 PM 3/18/2002]
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: peabody ma
Re: Gas Guage Problem (9D9LS1)
ive had my 97 c5 for 3 months and the fuel gauge started acting retarded
this = an $830 bill at the dealer ship luckly i bought a extended warrenty
they said the fuel sending units/ sensors had to be replaced $400 of that bill was labor at $90 an hour,..... what a deal!!
this = an $830 bill at the dealer ship luckly i bought a extended warrenty
they said the fuel sending units/ sensors had to be replaced $400 of that bill was labor at $90 an hour,..... what a deal!!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
Re: Gas Guage Problem (martin97c5)
Thanks "Drop Top" I just had that problem last week after filling the tank. I was told it had to do with MTEB in our gas up North. I'll copy down the SB and go to the dealer.... Thanks
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Clermont FL
Re: Gas Guage Problem (Tuan Le)
Driving back from a Spring Training Baseball Game today in Tampa my DIC showed no fuel, no range. Got to the gas station and filled it up with 13 gallons. So here goes my first Dealer visit on my Z06 after 4900 miles. Thanks for the TSB reference. By the way anyone else experience this problem after an 100 mile road trip?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 167
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Re: Gas Guage Problem (z06dailydriver)
Try to wiggle the fuel sender connections behind the tanks....seem to work for me when mine went to half tank upon fillup. Mine happened last winter when I was power washing quite a bit....must have got the connections wet. Worth a try..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 116
Likes: 4
From: Madison,Mississippi,USA
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
Fellows: I got the problem fixed at a local Chev. dealer. Luckily I had an extended warranty that paid for this ($770). One additional benefit was that I was able to get rid of the noisy fuel pump that I made a racket since the c5 was new. The tech also replaced a noisy belt tensioner. It pays to get to know the service writers and techs at your local dealerships. They can help you or hurt you. Thanks
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
If your out of warranty you can fix this yourself. It's not all that bad. I spent about 70 dollars in parts and tools for a new fuel level sensor, a fuel pressure gauge and the fuel line release tool. I think it took me about 2 hours to do the work but I was overly carefull working around all that gas. Spend the rest of that $700 on some mods.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Clermont FL
Re: Gas Guage Problem (Sun Downer)
Got back in town and wanted to add my car to the list of bad fuel pump assemblies. Repaired by my dealer under warranty for around $800.00. And I thought my 95 Vert was expensive!
Interesting that resetting the computer made the car idle better. Go figure.
Interesting that resetting the computer made the car idle better. Go figure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 959
Likes: 2
From: Hartford CT
Re: Gas Guage Problem (RedVetteMike)
There has been some previous discussion of this issue.
Generally, the problem only happens once.
This is exactly what happened to me - that was a year ago.
I didn't bring it to the dealer for repair.
Generally, the problem only happens once.
This is exactly what happened to me - that was a year ago.
I didn't bring it to the dealer for repair.