2002 fuel gauge update
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
Likes: 1
From: delmont pa
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2002 fuel gauge update
just came back from a 1350 mile trip to NCM in BG. i fill up with AMOCO at the start,refilled with EXXON,refilled with SHELL,and then again with EXXON and always let the gauge go to 1/4 to 1/8 of a tank and no problems with the gauge going to zero when it got to 3/8 of a tank like it did when i used a off brand of gas. i think GM is correct that the sulfur content causes the problem. i will keep you posted if anything else turns up. :chevy
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar Ca
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (Saving41)
I have used nothing in my car except Chevron. I had the guages go crazy twice. Don't know if this was due to the MTBE in the California formulation.
I also live in california and have used chevron. Same problem. Last week the dealer updated the software.So far so good
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Oakland CA
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (Saving41)
I doubt MTBE has anything to do with this. My only incidences of fuel gauge craziness have happened in Nevada. Idaho, and Wyoming.....never in California... (and most gas in California does not have MTBE any longer)
Dan
Dan
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
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From: delmont pa
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Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (vettenuts)
yes once and i do not remember what brand but it was not a national brand that i bought on a road trip. i guess brands are a crap shoot as a friend who drives a tanker truck told me a long time ago that when he is on his run after he empties the tank to finish his route he would go to a different brand of gas bulk plant and refill his tank for the rest of the route.:chevy
[Modified by clem zahrobsky, 10:29 AM 9/3/2002]
[Modified by clem zahrobsky, 10:29 AM 9/3/2002]
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Idaho Falls ID
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (clem zahrobsky)
Hey...glad you made it back.. :seeya Sounds like you used popular national brands...Chevron, Amoco, etc. What makes you think the sulfur content caused your problems? How do you find out what the sulfur content is in fuel? Is that published somewhere? We have all the national brands plus many local or regional brands. Right now I use Exxon....seems to work just fine. I haven't had the problems but a couple friends of mine has. Thanks for the update.....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (clem zahrobsky)
Sorry to blow the theory but I used Exxon and Mobil and I had the gauge go nuts. They just replaced under warranty. Oh this is my forth one over two model years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 7
From: Evansville, IN The GOCC, rebels without a clue.
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (clem zahrobsky)
I just had the sending unit in my right tank replaced, and the firmware flashed. On my first fillup it took almost 30 minutes for the gauge to finally reach the full mark. I called the service writer and they said it always does this on the first fillup and next time it will react a lot quicker.
Anybody else experience this after being flashed?
Anybody else experience this after being flashed?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (BlackOps)
Not a chance, need both units replaced and it's only a temp fix. My 3rd one was out of warranty and GM wouldn't fix. Parts for the 02 are over 600 :mad
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
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From: delmont pa
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Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (jimman)
try just exxon and see what happens. my 97 did this but only if i kept filling after the pump shut off and my 99 only did it once in 11,000 miles. this can not be happening to over 200,000 C-5s or GM would go broke fixing them :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (clem zahrobsky)
If one thinks that walking around with a gas analyser for sulfur is the way to go, I want my old 55 back with the cork and reostat back. Also, can you see the look on Punjobs face at the gas station when you want a sample.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
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From: delmont pa
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Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (jimman)
the only punjab stations we have here are the no name brands. i run amoco all the time at home and never had touble except on road trips. :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (clem zahrobsky)
I had the fuel gage problem also on my '99. Used Chevron all the time here in California. The problem became soo bad that it stayed permanently, i.e gage shows only half tank after complete fillup, dropping to zero etc....
Then I made a long distance trip to NC and filled up with every name brand except Chevron. (love the 93 octane you guys have elsewhere) Along the way, the fuel gage gradually became more accurate and by the time I arrived in North Carolina the problem went completely away and stayed away untill today.
Of course I never used Chevron again.
I'm pretty much sure its the gas.
Roger
Then I made a long distance trip to NC and filled up with every name brand except Chevron. (love the 93 octane you guys have elsewhere) Along the way, the fuel gage gradually became more accurate and by the time I arrived in North Carolina the problem went completely away and stayed away untill today.
Of course I never used Chevron again.
I'm pretty much sure its the gas.
Roger
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 23
From: Newark CA
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update
I was getting the "Low Fuel" warning with every tank, using Shell, Valero, and Chevron. I switched back to Union 76, which I had previously used exclusively. Five tanks later, no warnings yet. 2001 model.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 7
From: Evansville, IN The GOCC, rebels without a clue.
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (joeflyer)
I'm another one that was using Chevron exclusively and having the problem. Looks like I'm also another that's switching brands of gas, too, at least for the Vette.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
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From: delmont pa
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Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (rhoeven)
maybe GM is right on this!! the early C-5s there may have been bad sender units but i can not believe that GM would continue to install defective units and then replace them under warranty.:chevy
[Modified by clem zahrobsky, 6:33 PM 9/8/2002]
[Modified by clem zahrobsky, 6:33 PM 9/8/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: 2002 fuel gauge update (clem zahrobsky)
I am not an expert on gas, but it seems to me that the sulpher content would be more a function of where in the world the oil comes from rather then the particular brand unless they are adding sulpher as an additive. This may be why it seems more prevelant on the west coast, or is it?