Fuel Gauge problem

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Apr 30, 2011 | 11:10 AM

nmateo

Thread Starter

Cruising

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 14

Likes: 0

From: Cape May New Jersey

Fuel Gauge problem

Hello All I am having a problem with my 97 C5. After i fill the gas tank and drive it for about 40-50 miles the gauge goes from nearly full to reserve fuel then it resets at around 3/4 back to normal and then it does it again when it’s about 1/2 tank and drops down to empty. Please advise.

Apr 30, 2011 | 12:28 PM

Vettmann17

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 5,520

Likes: 5

From: Long Island NY

Typical issue, dicussed a million times. Before spending $$ for a fix try about 2-3 applications of Techron fuel additive. Buy the 20oz bottle and put one in with every fillup for the next three or so times and most likely it will solve the problem. Good luck bro!

Apr 30, 2011 | 12:31 PM

vettenuts

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 22,025

Likes: 192

From: At the beach in little Rhody

Not sure what type of fuel you are buying but in the north Shell is about the only Top Tier fuel available, which is supposed to have a reduced sulpher level that is the cause of this issue.

Apr 30, 2011 | 12:37 PM

Vettmann17

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 5,520

Likes: 5

From: Long Island NY

Top Tier gas station list for the USA:

76 Stations
Aloha Petroleum
Chevron
Conoco
Country Mark
Entec Stations
Exxon
Holiday Stationstores, Inc.
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
MFA Oil Co.
Mileage Stations
Mobil
Phillips 66
Quik Trip
Rebel Oil
Road Ranger
Severson Oil
Shell
Texaco
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Tri-Par Oil Co.
U.S. Oil

Last edited by Vettmann17; Apr 30, 2011 at 12:39 PM.

Apr 30, 2011 | 01:22 PM

guido7834

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2,453

Likes: 347

From: SC

I also recently experienced this. Funny thing, it never happened in the 2 plus years I owned my 02. I recently added a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner. About a month later, this happened. Coincidence?

Apr 30, 2011 | 06:08 PM

nmateo

Thread Starter

Cruising

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 14

Likes: 0

From: Cape May New Jersey

Right on thanks guys, I will do that. I also read the post before mine and saw disconnecting the cable by the rear wheel and connecting it might do the trick. I didn’t know that info on the gas. thank you so much. I figured I always filled it up with premium but the gas station matters. No more WAWA

Thanks

Apr 30, 2011 | 08:51 PM

Jumper11

Racer

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 337

Likes: 1

From: Mechanicsville Md

I got an 02 as well and had the same issue. Autozone had a sale on the 12oz bottles, buy one get one free. I got as many as I could. Mine cleared up after the second fill up with Techron. Now I put one in every 3rd tank just to keep ahead of it. Good luck.

May 3, 2011 | 11:19 AM

bighank

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 2,332

Likes: 31

From: Silver Spring MD

Techron Techron Techron and occasional Seafoam

Had sending units replaced under warranty. Good for about 2 years.
When I get dreaded guage to ZERO and check guages light use a bottle of Techron or Seafoam in the tank. Sometimes have to do this twice.
C5 sensors very sensitive to sulphur or whatever in the gas. Shame on Chevrolet. My Pontiac and Ford can run on any gas and not have this problem. Be glad you don't have a Jag and have to tune it every 2 or 3 months.