My gauge has stopped on my 97. I haven't had a problem in 3 or 4 years. I have used techron a couple times a year and no problems. I have used only shell premium. MY tank was extremely low , only a couple gallons, so I stopped at a BP station and put in about 14 gallons and a small bottle of techron. Saturday night as I got home I lost the gas gauge. I've tried to figure out which fuse it would be but can't. Can anyone tell me which fuse it would be? Just want eliminate that as the cause. Also if I add more techron to a 3/4 full tank will it find its way to the other tank or should I run the fuel out first? Any other thoughts or things I might Check would be appreciated. Thanks, Tom

 

As I read the wiring diagrams, the level sensors get their power from the PCM, which in turn is powered by mini-fuzes 16 and 23 in the underhood box. However, I would think that if the PCM is not getting power, you would have a lot more problems than the fuel gauge.

Contrary to some opinions, the Techron will get mixed if fuel quantity is more than half (i.e., fuel in both tanks). Here is how:

• LH tank is initially Techron rich and RH tank Techron poor.
  
• With the fuel pump running, some LH fuel is routed to the transfer jet pump in the RH tank, mixed with the RH fuel and pumped back to the LH tank.
  
• This process is continuous since the transfer pump capacity is higher than engine demand and excess transfer flow spills back to the RH tank through the fill connection tube near the top of the tank.
  
• This process continues until the fuel is thoroughly mixed, although I don't know how long it will take.
  
• If initial quantity is less than half, mixing will take place immediately (all fuel in LH tank) or as soon as all fuel is transferred to LH tank (fuel in both tanks).
  
• I don't think mixing will occur with fuel pump not running.

 

Not sure what you mean by "gauge has stopped." Does it move at all when you turn the ignition on or off? What does it read? Any codes?

 

I guess I didn't word that very well, sorry. It just went to empty and got the low fuel message on the DIC. When I turned ignition on it would go through start up cycle then go to empty. All that being said I got the car out today and it worked as it should. Tomorrow I hope to check the codes and see what that says. Also I want to check my battery to see its at all weak. I intend on installing a new one in the spring. It's about 6 years old. Thank you for the responses. Tom

 

Thanks that's great info. I may have to print it out.

 

Also, there was a PCM update (computer reflash) designed to deal with the gauge-crashing-to-zero problem. Released maybe 10-12 years ago? My '98 used to go to zero, DIC warnings, etc, after about an hour's driving. A restart would fix it. Has not happened since I had the reflash.

A search should find info (Google search finds stuff on this site better than the site search).

 

Thanks for the info, I'll try to find it. As I said earlier with regular dose of techron this is the first its happened in 3 or 4 years.

 

Here is my experience with fuel gauges, while I have not had issues with my Corvette fuel gauge, I have had numerous problems with my boats fuel gauge.

I read on this forum about fuel gauge problems and decided to give techron a try in my boat. Two or three 20 oz. bottles through my 50 gallon tank brought my gauge back to operating most of the time. Then since I saw an improvement, I used Chevron gas exclusively for a while, this also brought about good results.

I believe the problem is some additive in gas that leaves a coating on the sending unit contact points. I have since changed my fueling schedule. I now refuel my boat after each use, rather than leaving the tank low until the next outing. Fuel gauge has worked 100% of the time since changing my refueling schedule, and since the improvement I can use any brand of fuel.

 

Tom,

Here you go:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM) #02-06-04-010A - (Jun 27, 2003)
Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM)
1999-2002 Chevrolet Corvette

This bulletin is being revised to add models and update the Correction and Warranty Information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-04-010 (Section 06- Engine).

Condition
Some owners may comment about the fuel gauge intermittently indicating an empty reading and then return to the correct fuel level indication.

Cause
This condition may result when fuel blends containing aggressive sulphur compounds react with the fuel sender assembly, which may result in voltage spikes being induced on the fuel level signal to the PCM. Use of another fuel blend may reverse this reaction and return the system to normal operation.

Correction
Reprogram the PCM with the new service calibration which is available in the June 2003, Techline® TIS release sent to the dealers on 6/28/03. Use the TIS Version 7 or later data update.


BTW, what this reprogram does is enable the PCM (powertrain computer) to be able to recover from the "error condition" caused by the voltage spikes mentioned above. In my experience it was 100% effective. Previous to the reprogram I had the zero gas gauge problem on almost every long trip; after the reprogram it never occurred again, and believe me my car has done a lot of miles on cheap off brand gas.

 

The bulletin says its for 1999-2001 cars, has it been expanded or does it apply to 97 cars? There is also an SB01-06-04-022 in which they replace the screens and sender if I remember correctly. That seems like an expensive option. It's interesting that when this happened the car was extremely low on gas, like maybe 2 pr 3 gals left. Others have mentioned in other threads low fuel seemed to trigger the problem. Anyway thanks for the input. I am thankful for everyone with greater knowledge than mine and their willingness to share it. Tom

 

Yeah, it was recommended for early cars as well. Mine is a very early build '98 (day #4 of production) and when it was in the dealer for something else, they told me there was a computer update and they installed it. Like I said, no problems since.