Cruise Control = low fuel warning??
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Cruise Control = low fuel warning??
I just picked up a low mile `98, and when the cruise control was activated for the first time, the fuel gauge immediately went to empty, low fuel warning came on, and the check engine light illuminated? 
Anyone ever hear of an issue such as this?? Any input is appreciated! Thanks!
Anyone ever hear of an issue such as this?? Any input is appreciated! Thanks!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Thanks guys! Ran the codes and I have two PCM codes P0461HC and P1431H, Fuel level sensor circuit performance, both circuits 1 and 2. The previous owner told me the fuel gauge wasn`t working because the guy before him had it sit too long with a small amount of fuel in the tank, and the rheostat or however the sending unit reads, is probably corroded. Told me he put some sort of treatment in and it`s been working ever since, ( I know the checks in the mail...) But it took a few hours before it did stop working. I think I`ll fill the tank again and see if it comes on again at a specific level.
You`re right, it could just be a coincidence, my son was driving the car and I was following him as we just picked it up.
On a side note, right now the fuel gauge is working, I have a sorta` steep driveway and perhaps the float moved as I backed down it? I want to familiarize myself with the car, before I hit the cruise button, so I at least have an idea how much fuel I actually have, if it were to occur again.
Thanks again!
You`re right, it could just be a coincidence, my son was driving the car and I was following him as we just picked it up.
On a side note, right now the fuel gauge is working, I have a sorta` steep driveway and perhaps the float moved as I backed down it? I want to familiarize myself with the car, before I hit the cruise button, so I at least have an idea how much fuel I actually have, if it were to occur again.
Thanks again!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Next time the car has less than a half tank of fuel get yourself a large bottle (20 Oz) of Techron Concentrate Plus and drive to your favorite gas station. Add the entire bottle of Techron to the tank and THEN fill the tank with premium fuel. The sensors (one in each tank) may still have corrosion on them that still can be dissolved. Sometimes it takes more than one treatment but the alternative, if the gauge continues to drop to empty, is replacement of the fuel sensors. Not overly expensive but messy as you have to get as much fuel out of the tanks to open the access panels on the back of the tanks to replace the sensors... Worth a few tries with Techron to avoid that IMHO......
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
Next time the car has less than a half tank of fuel get yourself a large bottle (20 Oz) of Techron Concentrate Plus and drive to your favorite gas station. Add the entire bottle of Techron to the tank and THEN fill the tank with premium fuel. The sensors (one in each tank) may still have corrosion on them that still can be dissolved. Sometimes it takes more than one treatment but the alternative, if the gauge continues to drop to empty, is replacement of the fuel sensors. Not overly expensive but messy as you have to get as much fuel out of the tanks to open the access panels on the back of the tanks to replace the sensors... Worth a few tries with Techron to avoid that IMHO......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
They should carry it. My local store in Tucson usually has it on hand. Black bottle with the "Techron Concentrate Plus" label. Comes in 12 oz and 20 oz sizes. Use the 20 oz size or two 12 oz sizes for the C5. I use it once a year at about the same time I do my annual oil and filter change. Easy way for an old man to remember to do it... 
Been doing this for years. If it has EFI, it gets it at every oil change. Makes it easy to remember. Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the replies, I wanted to let you guys know I just went to Advanced Auto and they have the Techron Plus concentrate in both 12 and 20 oz sizes as a bogo free! Out the door with 4 of the 20 oz size for just under $30!
Thanks again! Hopefully this`ll do the trick
Thanks again! Hopefully this`ll do the trick
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