fuel gauge problem
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,568
Likes: 472
From: Douglas County WI
fuel gauge problem
2002 Z06 with 53,000 miles. I was returning home from Elkhart Lake after the IMSA race (what a let down. Ford 1st and 2nd, Corvette 4th and 6th. But I digress). At any rate, I stopped at a store where I spent about 20 minutes. I started the car and drove off, then noticed a "check gauges" light and the fuel gauge was pegged on empty. I knew I had over a 1/4 tank of gas so I kept going. I checked the fuel range option on the DIC and of course it was blank. Shortly the low fuel warning reading came on. Pushing reset didn't do anything. I the fueled up (15 gallons) and the gauge was still on empty, but after about 10 miles it went to full and everything started working again. Don't know if it matters, but it was in the high 80's and raining for part of the trip before I stopped. I put a bottle of Techron in every other tankful. Haven't had a problem since, but haven't driven anywhere either.. Any thoughts on what happened? Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 489
From: Denver, NC
Lots of threads on this - try the techron concentrated as mentioned above. Buy two bottles and run them back to back. you can add it, fill the tank completely before parking the car and let it sit in the garage overnight to act on the sending unit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 795
From: Espanola New Mexico
I always use Chevron Premium which has Techron in it, but I still occasionally have problems with the sending units so I toss a Techron total fuel system cleaner, and I did have one instance where it took 5-10 minutes after filling up for the gas gauge to read full. My bad spot on the fuel sending is about half tank, and once it passes the bad spot it works fine.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,568
Likes: 472
From: Douglas County WI
I always use Chevron Premium which has Techron in it, but I still occasionally have problems with the sending units so I toss a Techron total fuel system cleaner, and I did have one instance where it took 5-10 minutes after filling up for the gas gauge to read full. My bad spot on the fuel sending is about half tank, and once it passes the bad spot it works fine.
OUr gas choices up here are pretty much limited to Holiday, Kwik Trip, and BP.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 99
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles
Had this same issue, despite exclusively using Chevron premium gas. Once my fuel tank gauge randomly began working again, I poured in a bottle of Techron when I had a hair over a 1/2 tank, as instructed by someone on this forum. It fixed the issue. Haven't had a problem since and it has been maybe 1-2 months now.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,568
Likes: 472
From: Douglas County WI
Well, it quit reading again today. This time there was about 1/2 tank. Haven't done anything about it yet but I am fearing it will be replace the sending unit time. I'll probably fill it up tomorrow and see what happens.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 99
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles
When I did my research about this I found that a faulty sender normally pegs the gauge to 0 once it goes pass the half tank mark...which is what kept happening to me and it seems to you.
Once you randomly get the gauge to start working again with over 1/2 tank of gas, run the car until you are just a hair over a half tank and pour in a large bottle of Techron. I did this as instructed and it fixed the issue for me.
Once you randomly get the gauge to start working again with over 1/2 tank of gas, run the car until you are just a hair over a half tank and pour in a large bottle of Techron. I did this as instructed and it fixed the issue for me.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,568
Likes: 472
From: Douglas County WI
When I did my research about this I found that a faulty sender normally pegs the gauge to 0 once it goes pass the half tank mark...which is what kept happening to me and it seems to you.
Once you randomly get the gauge to start working again with over 1/2 tank of gas, run the car until you are just a hair over a half tank and pour in a large bottle of Techron. I did this as instructed and it fixed the issue for me.
Once you randomly get the gauge to start working again with over 1/2 tank of gas, run the car until you are just a hair over a half tank and pour in a large bottle of Techron. I did this as instructed and it fixed the issue for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 795
From: Espanola New Mexico
That code means it is the right or passenger side sending unit, do a internet search to learn how to replace it your self, basically you get it up on jack stands, remove tire, remove access panel. you will have to drain the tank as the sending unit is at the bottom of the tank, hope this helps.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
Likes: 126
From: Sandown NH
Now there will be Techron in both tanks to work on both senders. if you can, let the car sit for a few days or longer to allow the Techron to work.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,568
Likes: 472
From: Douglas County WI
I kinda figured the right would be empty after I thought about it. If I siphoned out gas from the filler tube, that would come out of the left tank, correct? But on the other hand, if I put the Techron in and filled it up, wouldn't the gas overflow from the already full (theoretically) left tank go into the empty right tank as the gas is put in from the pump? I am a bit confused on the fuel flow protocol.
Last edited by glbeauchamp; Aug 13, 2019 at 02:11 PM.