Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg Florida
Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN
Had my Y2K in the shop in September for the fuel gauge problem. Dealer replaced both sending units. Last night on my way home from work, at about 1/4 tank the bells and whistles started and the fuel gauge went to "0". I sure am glad it is under warranty. My only concern is that the warranty runs out in April and it looks like Chevy still does not have a fix for this problem. Seems like they should have fixed this after 6 years with all the high paid engineers they have working for them. :mad
You can bet this is my last GM product. I have lost all confidence in them(GM) with this car and the 2000 Malibu my daughter bought and can't get repaired under warranty. She has brake rotor problems that GM will not cover. They(GM) tells her and all the other drivers that they(the drivers) are the problem, not the brakes and rotors that GM supplies. :confused:
I will let you know what the fix for the fuel gauge is when I take it in Friday for repair.
Orbit
You can bet this is my last GM product. I have lost all confidence in them(GM) with this car and the 2000 Malibu my daughter bought and can't get repaired under warranty. She has brake rotor problems that GM will not cover. They(GM) tells her and all the other drivers that they(the drivers) are the problem, not the brakes and rotors that GM supplies. :confused:
I will let you know what the fix for the fuel gauge is when I take it in Friday for repair.
Orbit
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (Orbit)
Initially I had same problem ( dropping to zero) and it became worse and worse. Fuel gage would indicate only 1/2 tank after a complete fillup and took more than 15 minutes to creep up to full.
After I read on the forum that GM stated that it is the fuel, I changed gas stations at every fill up (used to fill up with Chevron only) and now I use whatever is available.
Guess what.... after 4 ~ 5 fillups, my fuel gauge works perfectly again.
60.000 miles now , no more problem and fuel tank sensors are still the originals the car came with from the factory.
Worth a try? You decide.
Roger
After I read on the forum that GM stated that it is the fuel, I changed gas stations at every fill up (used to fill up with Chevron only) and now I use whatever is available.
Guess what.... after 4 ~ 5 fillups, my fuel gauge works perfectly again.
60.000 miles now , no more problem and fuel tank sensors are still the originals the car came with from the factory.
Worth a try? You decide.
Roger
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands Texas
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (Orbit)
I've had this problem repaired under warranty as well and I've also been advised by a vette mechanic of a way to fix on a DIY basis.
The sending unit has a circuit board and in most cases the wire lead comes loose at the solder joint on the board. You can pull the board and resolder the wire.
I haven't done this myself but that's the explanation given to me. There is a fuel level sensor located in the bottom of the right hand fuel tank and I would guess that's where the circuit connection is located.
The sending unit has a circuit board and in most cases the wire lead comes loose at the solder joint on the board. You can pull the board and resolder the wire.
I haven't done this myself but that's the explanation given to me. There is a fuel level sensor located in the bottom of the right hand fuel tank and I would guess that's where the circuit connection is located.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (Orbit)
Orbit,
The fuel guage problem on my 1999 C5 coupe was repaired under the new car warranty (now expired).
Now I'm having problems again with the fuel guage at 28,000 miles. I have the GMPP but it will cost me the $100 deductible and another trip to the dealer to have it repaired.
It is terrible that Chevrolet can't build a car with a reliable fuel guage. I am very irritated with the poor quality and reliability of the C5 - especially the fuel guage.
Good luck.
The fuel guage problem on my 1999 C5 coupe was repaired under the new car warranty (now expired).
Now I'm having problems again with the fuel guage at 28,000 miles. I have the GMPP but it will cost me the $100 deductible and another trip to the dealer to have it repaired.
It is terrible that Chevrolet can't build a car with a reliable fuel guage. I am very irritated with the poor quality and reliability of the C5 - especially the fuel guage.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg Florida
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (rhoeven)
When I had my car in 2 months ago, the dealer said nothing about changing gas. I use the same gas in my other 2 cars and don't have a problem so I don't see how it could be the gas. The owners manual says nothing about using a certain brand of gas, just 92 octane. I always use what ever is available when I need gas! The car has never pinged or missed a beat! Just don't know how much gas is in it and my wife won't drive it without knowing how much gas is available. Besides, the DIC indicates Low Fuel and you can't check other functions of the car when it goes beserk. :mad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (Orbit)
And the parts are over 800.00 list, isn't that cool and they will still fail. Can't believe one has to test the gas first before fueling, unacceptable. Oh and I'm on number 5
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (1999 White C5 Coupe)
There is no fix for this in my opinion. It's simply luck of the draw......It may happen or may not happen to your car. Learn to live with it or you will waste your money trying to fix it.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg Florida
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (tabbruzz)
Tabbruzz,
While it is under warranty and I have 2 other dependable vehicles to drive, I will take it in to the dealer every time it has a problem. Once the warranty expires I am not sure what I will do with it. Haven't decided if we are going to keep it or not. Like I said, it is my wifes car and she won't drive it not knowing how much gas she has. She must make a decision on keeping it and forking over $800 to $1200 every time it goes beserk or to trade it for a more dependable automobile. Just look at Consumer Reports new buyers guide and it isn't hard to see who makes the dependable autos. No doubt the dependable autos won't be as much fun to drive, but I don't like living with the frustration and cost of repairing a Vette that I will still be paying for! :mad
While it is under warranty and I have 2 other dependable vehicles to drive, I will take it in to the dealer every time it has a problem. Once the warranty expires I am not sure what I will do with it. Haven't decided if we are going to keep it or not. Like I said, it is my wifes car and she won't drive it not knowing how much gas she has. She must make a decision on keeping it and forking over $800 to $1200 every time it goes beserk or to trade it for a more dependable automobile. Just look at Consumer Reports new buyers guide and it isn't hard to see who makes the dependable autos. No doubt the dependable autos won't be as much fun to drive, but I don't like living with the frustration and cost of repairing a Vette that I will still be paying for! :mad
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (Orbit)
Orbit,
Yes, you should keep bringing it to the dealer while its under warranty. I did the same thing until I was out of warranty and started spending my own money on it. If it does happen again simply turn the car off and then on and the gas gauge will be back to normal. I would keep the car if you could because aside from this stupid gas issue the car is awesome...
Yes, you should keep bringing it to the dealer while its under warranty. I did the same thing until I was out of warranty and started spending my own money on it. If it does happen again simply turn the car off and then on and the gas gauge will be back to normal. I would keep the car if you could because aside from this stupid gas issue the car is awesome...
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh pa
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (Orbit)
I use the same gas in my other 2 cars and don't have a problem so I don't see how it could be the gas. The owners manual says nothing about using a certain brand of gas, just 92 octane.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Fl
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet
Re: Fuel Gauge problem ......AGAIN (rhoeven)
Initially I had same problem ( dropping to zero) and it became worse and worse. Fuel gage would indicate only 1/2 tank after a complete fillup and took more than 15 minutes to creep up to full.
After I read on the forum that GM stated that it is the fuel, I changed gas stations at every fill up (used to fill up with Chevron only) and now I use whatever is available.
Guess what.... after 4 ~ 5 fillups, my fuel gauge works perfectly again.
60.000 miles now , no more problem and fuel tank sensors are still the originals the car came with from the factory.
Worth a try? You decide.
Roger
After I read on the forum that GM stated that it is the fuel, I changed gas stations at every fill up (used to fill up with Chevron only) and now I use whatever is available.
Guess what.... after 4 ~ 5 fillups, my fuel gauge works perfectly again.
60.000 miles now , no more problem and fuel tank sensors are still the originals the car came with from the factory.
Worth a try? You decide.
Roger
I had the exact same problem, fuel guage would drop to 0, then after filling it up, would only go to half way. Took ten to fifteen minutes for the guage to go to full.
I usually only use Shell or Chevron. I will rotate between the two depending where I am when it is time to fill up. I had started getting gass at Sam's Club because it was 20 cents per gallon less. Thats when my problems started. When I stopped doing that, my problems went away.
I read here on the forum that one of the problems is the high sulpher content in some gas.
