Weird Fuel Gauge Problem
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 4,833
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock CO
Cruise-In III Veteran
Weird Fuel Gauge Problem
Well it figures, the Vette has been absolutely perfect. The warranty has been expired for only 2 days and it already has a problem...
You're driving along and for unknown reasons the analog fuel gauge just drops to empty, the HUD displays check gauges, and the red low fuel light comes on the gauges. It's happened twice and so far it "temporarily" corrects itself if you turn the key off/no
Has anyone else had this problem :confused:
You're driving along and for unknown reasons the analog fuel gauge just drops to empty, the HUD displays check gauges, and the red low fuel light comes on the gauges. It's happened twice and so far it "temporarily" corrects itself if you turn the key off/no
Has anyone else had this problem :confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (GoodbyeGirl)
Yep... Welcome to the common erroneous fuel guage crowd. The problem is the fuel sender- you'll need to get it replaced. BUt of course, it's IN the fuel tank, so it's not going to be cheap.
This is a VERY common issue. :smash: :smash:
This is a VERY common issue. :smash: :smash:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 4,833
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock CO
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (Umrswimr)
Yep... Welcome to the common erroneous fuel guage crowd. The problem is the fuel sender- you'll need to get it replaced. BUt of course, it's IN the fuel tank, so it's not going to be cheap.
This is a VERY common issue. :smash: :smash:
This is a VERY common issue. :smash: :smash:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (GoodbyeGirl)
It's happen to me twice in the last 500 miles (my odo reads 7,800 miles). I take her to the gas station put in about 5 gallons and everything returns to normal. maybe the float is getting stuck.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
From: The best state in the US TX
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (Mark S.)
Yeah it happens to me when i over fill it only show half full !!
and on long trips it drops to empty
so you pull over and shake the car and restart its fine
looks so cool with a 40k$ car !! People point and laugh !! :mad
and on long trips it drops to empty
so you pull over and shake the car and restart its fine
looks so cool with a 40k$ car !! People point and laugh !! :mad
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (jimman)
Common problem, some say it's the sulfur in the gas, who knows. I'm on my 5th replacement all warranty but parts are nearly 800.00.
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (Umrswimr)
3 with my 2000 with 95K miles and 2 with the 02. Actually 1 repaced in the 02 at 1500 miles and it's acted up a couple of times since but seems to point toward the gas. Been watching that close and I now have 45K on the 02.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (tabbruzz)
tabbruzz, that's exactly what I plan on doing -- unless the gauge acts up routinely. Eveytime you take your Vette in you risk the dealership messing something else up. I try to keep my visits to an absolute minimum. I change my own oil, air filter, etc. I will let the dealer do a coolant change (now at 4 year intervals), brakes, etc. But I hate taking her in their unless it's absolutely necessary.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (GoodbyeGirl)
I'm wondering if this is also my problem.
Filled the tank up about a month ago the analog and HUD fuel gauges only read 3/4 full and would not go beyond that. Let the car sit over nite then started it up. Fuel gauges showed 3/4 and then very SLOWLY crept up to full. This happened a few times. This C5 would get 31+mph all the time on trips now the fuel gauge is erratic and I'm showing on the DIC 17 to 25 mph. Is this related to the dreaded fuel sending unit?
Thanks :mad
Filled the tank up about a month ago the analog and HUD fuel gauges only read 3/4 full and would not go beyond that. Let the car sit over nite then started it up. Fuel gauges showed 3/4 and then very SLOWLY crept up to full. This happened a few times. This C5 would get 31+mph all the time on trips now the fuel gauge is erratic and I'm showing on the DIC 17 to 25 mph. Is this related to the dreaded fuel sending unit?
Thanks :mad
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 0
From: Life is all about power and control
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (GoodbyeGirl)
Try putting a good dose of fuel system cleaner in your tank next time you fill up. The erratic gauge problem happened to me a number of times but one dose of the cleaner has been good for the last 8,000 miles with no further problems. I have taken the precaution of avoiding Shell's Optimax fuel too as I suspect that may have been part of the problem despite it being marketed as just right for high performance cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (te51cle)
:iagree: You will find another hundred posts on fuel additives, but Chevron Techron works wonders for me. Every time the gauge starts to flutter, I pour in a bottle and it's good for the next several thousand miles. Lots cheaper than replacing a dirty sending unit...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Weird Fuel Gauge Problem (GoodbyeGirl)
You may want to consider purchasing an extended warranty for your car. Parts and repairs are so expensive for our cars, I would not be caught dead without one. Our Forum Dealer can sell you one over the phone for a great price..... :yesnod:
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Re: Wierd Fuel Gauge Problem (GoodbyeGirl)
This is a common problem. You will have a 1431H code in the PCM -- which you can check through the DIC. Leave it for the dealer to see.
Also, I kept having this problem (three replacements) on my 2000, until they also recalibrated my PCM. Make sure the dealer flashed the PCM with the current software, in addition to replacing the sensors, and your problem should be solved.
:smash:
Also, I kept having this problem (three replacements) on my 2000, until they also recalibrated my PCM. Make sure the dealer flashed the PCM with the current software, in addition to replacing the sensors, and your problem should be solved.
:smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,376
Likes: 4
From: Hershey, PA, USA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Re: Wierd Fuel Gauge Problem (EHS)
I just did this, while driving view the codes (hold options button and press fuel 4 times) and then clear the code. Did this twice and then it stopped happening.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
Re: Wierd Fuel Gauge Problem (EHS)
I had the same problem, had the fuel sending units replaced over 2 years ago and it has not shown up since.
Coincidentally a Texaco opened up right by my house, so I have been running Texaco gas ever since without any problems. Rumors around here seem to mention certain brands of gas as the cause. Some also say running techron every few tanks helps with the problem.
Coincidentally a Texaco opened up right by my house, so I have been running Texaco gas ever since without any problems. Rumors around here seem to mention certain brands of gas as the cause. Some also say running techron every few tanks helps with the problem.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Fuel Gauge Voodoo
My 98 convertible has also been in the fuel gauge twilight zone. The gauge drops to E and the "check gages" light goes on, after about a half-hour on the freeway. Sometimes it returns to normal after turning off the engine and restarting. Other times, the gauge just starts working again on its own as I drive. I had my "right side fuel meter assy" replaced at the dealer, for $754.00, but I'm still having this problem. I like the suggestion about chevron techron, I will try it next tank. Maybe our cars just aren't getting enough fiber in their diets; I try to feed mine a mustang about once a week. My Vette especially likes to eat the ones with the little worm on the front fender, I think those are the hi-fiber versions...
Last edited by bigballspindick; Aug 24, 2004 at 03:41 PM. Reason: wrong title
