Replacement cost for fuel gauge issue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
Replacement cost for fuel gauge issue
Got a call back from my local corvette repair shop today to repair my fuel gauge dropping to zero issue. Repair parts are still available cost approximately $2400. Not knowing if it’s the siphon jet pump not transferring fuel from the right side or just a sensor problem how many miles/gallons would I have to go to eather run out of gas or know it’s a sensor problem. I fill up at about 200 miles now and usually only take about 8 gallons but been Leary of running out but now I think it’s time to figure out which issue it is. Thanks for any help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
If you have a 1997 to early 2003 that is way too high.
Parts cost for both pumps and level senders is around $500 to $600. The work can be done while the tanks are in the car.
For a late 2003 and 2004 the parts are more expensive as well as the labor since the tanks have to come out for replacement. This is the same as with the C6.
Gary
Parts cost for both pumps and level senders is around $500 to $600. The work can be done while the tanks are in the car.
For a late 2003 and 2004 the parts are more expensive as well as the labor since the tanks have to come out for replacement. This is the same as with the C6.
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
There are codes that you can retrieve from the DIC, there is a code for the passenger side sending unit and a code it it's the driver side sending unit. There will be no codes for the jet pump, unfortunately I do not know the codes of the top of my head.Hope this helps, and I would find another shop to work on your car.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 515
Likes: 133
If it is the jet pump, you will run out of gas with about 7-8 gallons in the right tank. Your range will be 10-11 gallons times whatever your mpg is.
The gauge will go to zero earlier than this when the PCM senses improper levels between the tanks.
The code will be RH sensor performance.
The gauge will go to zero earlier than this when the PCM senses improper levels between the tanks.
The code will be RH sensor performance.
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Race Director
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
My 2002 that I just purchased has about the same problem. Only on a full fill up however, the needle goes to zero. After driving a while, it works fine again until the next fill up.
I thought that I had that same exact problem with another C5 I owned many years ago. I am running some Seafoam in it at every "almost" fill up now to see if that fixes the problem..
I have not filled it all the way up again to see if my problem is gone, but it works fine otherwise.
I thought that I had that same exact problem with another C5 I owned many years ago. I am running some Seafoam in it at every "almost" fill up now to see if that fixes the problem..
I have not filled it all the way up again to see if my problem is gone, but it works fine otherwise.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
Thanks this is the information I’ve been searching for so if I can put about 12 gallons in then the jet pump must be working right. I’ve never tried running it that low I always filled at about 200-250 mile in fear of being stranded. Going to fill up this weekend along with a 2 gallon gas can and see what happens. Hope there will be no problems restarting.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
So if I can put 12 gallons in at a fill up this would mean it’s not my jet pump but would be a sensor, am I getting this right. I’ve not been getting and codes related to fuel just the gauge going crazy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Years ago I had that type of problem, fill it up with gas, drive about 50-100 miles and the Zero gas warning would appear. Started using Top tier gas and Techron and the problem eventually went away. Today I only use Shell Premium and still carry a bottle of Techron in the trunk for emergency. Problem solved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
As for codes, are you holding the options button then pressing the fuel button 4 times to access the codes or are you just looking at the DIC and expecting something to display? You have to actively look for the codes. You should see a code P1431 to indicate the right side sending unit error. You may have to run the diagnostics when the error happens BEFORE shutting off the engine. I would think the code would appear after shutting down and just indicate an H for history.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
Another thought. $2400 seems high. If you can change a flat tire, you have enough skills to do the repair yourself. The hardest part is either running the fuel down low enough or figuring out how to drain the tank. I ran the tanks low and had a 1 gallon can of gas just in case.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 201
From: Montgomery City, MO
Only posting to sub this topic. I have little to contribute, but first and foremost was under the impression the fuel sender assembly for the passenger side tank was no longer available. I guess I better buy one while the sun still shines on them.
This is definitely a peculiar setup. It seems like GM's sources started using cheaper metals for the contacts on the fuel senders staring around 1998. Of the two other vehicles I've owned from this era, all of them had fuel sender issues. But it seems like they solved the problem around 2005-6 because all the newer iron I have has no issues here, starting with my '06 Trailblazer.
My current lady seems to have a problem with the passenger side sender dropping to zero after the fuel level is below 1/2. Things are good until I've run about 200 miles on a fill, and then I start noticing the fuel level increases after the car's been driven long enough for most of the fuel from the right tank gets pumped into the left tank.
This is definitely a peculiar setup. It seems like GM's sources started using cheaper metals for the contacts on the fuel senders staring around 1998. Of the two other vehicles I've owned from this era, all of them had fuel sender issues. But it seems like they solved the problem around 2005-6 because all the newer iron I have has no issues here, starting with my '06 Trailblazer.
My current lady seems to have a problem with the passenger side sender dropping to zero after the fuel level is below 1/2. Things are good until I've run about 200 miles on a fill, and then I start noticing the fuel level increases after the car's been driven long enough for most of the fuel from the right tank gets pumped into the left tank.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
That’s were I usually fill up, but have no idea which tank it’s coming out off as I get no gas related codes. Going to run it till it’s out this time and see if the jet pump is working on the passenger side
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 201
From: Montgomery City, MO
No idea if this is accurate or not, but I believe both fuel level inputs can be queried / logged from the PCM via obd-2, separate from the summed fuel level signal it feeds to the IPC. I haven't taken the time to mess with this yet as it's not a life or death problem for me, but if you know someone with logging software or a Tech 2, that might be helpful in pinpointing the problem.
As I understand it, the jet / siphon pump on the passenger side tank can only fail if the venturi becomes clogged with garbage or the lines become damaged.
As I understand it, the jet / siphon pump on the passenger side tank can only fail if the venturi becomes clogged with garbage or the lines become damaged.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 425
Likes: 94
I have read several threads that if your not filling your tank up to turn the pump handle 90deg around and pump it slower because some have had problems with the filler neck on a recall. I have never been able to get the gauge more than 1/2-3/4 full going to give this a try tomorrow. Anyone ever heard of this, I read it on a search on google which pulled up this forum
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 515
Likes: 133
No idea if this is accurate or not, but I believe both fuel level inputs can be queried / logged from the PCM via obd-2, separate from the summed fuel level signal it feeds to the IPC. I haven't taken the time to mess with this yet as it's not a life or death problem for me, but if you know someone with logging software or a Tech 2, that might be helpful in pinpointing the problem.
As I understand it, the jet / siphon pump on the passenger side tank can only fail if the venturi becomes clogged with garbage or the lines become damaged.
As I understand it, the jet / siphon pump on the passenger side tank can only fail if the venturi becomes clogged with garbage or the lines become damaged.