Man I got this car less than a week ago and I already have a problem with it. My fuel gauge showed slightly less than half a tank (I had put $8 in last night and surely didn't use more than $3 driving out to the park today). I stopped to take some pictures of the lake and when I started to drive again, the "check gauges" light came on and my fuel needle went to E! I hit the "fuel" button for the digital display and it didn't say anything for "range". I went to the gas station and put $10 in and the gauge went from E to about 3/4 full and the check gauges and fuel light went off. :crazy:

I've had several 4th gen Camaros and I know the gas tanks on those are shaped like a "V", so when it shows that you have half a tank left, you really have less than a 1/4 and it falls very quickly. Do you think I have a bad fuel level sensor, or is this a common issue on C5s? Thanks!

 

Well, it looks like you are to be inducted into the club of C5 owners who have had to get their fuel gauge sensors replaced. This is a known problem for many C5 owners. They will need to frop your left saddle tank to do the work. Takes a full day at the dealer and costs around $650 - unless you have a warranty.

My car was 6 months when this happened. Since the fix, no worries.

Good luck.

SAVE THE WAVE :seeya :cheers: :cool:

 

That's ridiculous that they know about the problem but won't do anything about it. Do you know if there is a Technical Service Bulletin out for it?

 

Here ya go

The TSB for the repair.
Document ID # 788111

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Inaccurate/Erratic Fuel Level Gage Readings (Install New Sensor, Strainer and/or RH Fuel Sender Assembly) #01-06-04-022

Inaccurate/Erratic Fuel Level Gage Readings (Install New Sensor, Strainer and/or R.H. Fuel Sender Assembly)
1997-2000 Chevrolet Corvette

Condition
Some owners may comment about inaccurate/erratic fuel level gage reading conditions such as those indicated below:

Fuel gage suddenly drops to E (empty) and CHECK GAGES message illuminates (DTC P1431 or P0461 set).
Fuel gage does not go to F (full) after filling fuel tank.
Vehicle runs out of fuel while the gage still indicates fuel is available.
Cause
The conditions indicated above may be the result of one or a combination of more than one of the causes indicated below:

Stuck or intermittent sticking of the sensor float arm.
Clogged/restricted R.H. fuel sender assembly jet pump.
R.H. jet pump unable to transfer fuel due to fuel vaporization resulting in bubble accumulation in the fuel strainer.

Correction

Inspect the Julian date codes located on the bar code labels attached to the R.H. and L.H. fuel level sender assembly cover plates as shown in the figure. If the R.H. sender date code is less/smaller than "01301", replace the complete assembly with a new fuel sender kit indicated below by model year. If the L.H. sender date code is less/smaller than "32791", replace the existing fuel sender sensor and strainer with those components contained in the applicable sensor and strainer kits shown below by model year.

To insure correct installation, follow the service procedure contained in the applicable Service Manual and the instructions contained in the service kits.

Parts Information
Part Number
Description

88896043
R.H. Fuel Sender Kit (1997-1999 M.Y.)

88895126
R.H. Fuel Sender Kit (2000 M.Y.)

88899034
Fuel Sensor Kit (1997-2000 M.Y.)

12458245
Fuel Strainer Kit (1997-1999 M.Y.)

12459862
Fuel Strainer Kit (2000 M.Y.)


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

L1200
Fuel (Tank Unit) Seal and/or Pump Assembly - Replace (RH or LH)
Use Published Labor Operation Time

*L3502
Fuel (Tank Unit) Seal, and/or Pump Assembly - Replace (Both)
1997-1998 1.7 hrs 1999-2000 1.8 hrs

*This is a unique labor operation for use in this bulletin only. It will not be published in the Labor Time Guide.


Good Luck :cheers:

 

What a crock, so they know that so many owners are having problems with a very expensive part, and they acknowledge this, but they won't fix it? :bs

 

Camarocks - I've had the problem recurringly over the past couple years. When it starts on me, I go to Autozone and pick up a bottle of Chevron Techron and dump it in the tank. Half a tank later, the problem goes away. If you're out of warranty, give this a try. If I understand it, the sensor gets a bit of corrosion on it and gives faulty readings - the Techron cleans the sensor off, I guess. Lots will tell you to use "good" gas, too. I use the BP stuff around here. Switched to Citgo for a while and had my first gauge problem. Coincidence? Maybe. Haven't had the problem for quite some time now. Good luck! :cheers:

 

I've never really believed in the fuel system cleaners that you can buy off the shelf, but if you said it worked for you, for the money I ought to give it a try.

 

Just where are these two fuel cells located?

 

Welcome to the erratic fuel gauge club ! :cheers:

I had the same sort of problem and found a bottle of Redline fuel system cleaner did the trick for me. I'd recommend a precautionary dose every 10,000 miles to prevent the sensors becoming varnished. I can't prove anything but I suspect Shell's new high octane Optimax fuel was the root cause of the problem.

 

I have had this problem 2 times. Both times were under warranty so it didn't cost me anything but aggravation and time. The first time they replaced the module kit 088895126, sens kit 088899034, strainer kit 012459862. This lasted for 2 months and the same exact thing happened again. They only replaced the module kit the second time and it has been working for nearly 5 months with no problems. Warranty expires 15 April 2003 so I hope all my bugs have been worked out.