How does the gas gauge thing usually start?
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
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How does the gas gauge thing usually start?
I drove to Chatt., TN, Saturday with my wife. It had been a while since I filled up the Vette. The gauge was on 1/2 tank. Suddenly I remembered the car had been on 1/2 all the previous week. I paniced and pulled into the first gas station. The car took 10.5 gal. with the gas gauge showing half full.
Does it sound like my gas gauge is about to go out? This is the first time this has happened. I wrote down the amount, the mileage and the date so I could keep up with the gas I put in it. I hate to walk. Does this all sound familiar to any of you?
:eek: :eek: :eek:
Turbo5
Does it sound like my gas gauge is about to go out? This is the first time this has happened. I wrote down the amount, the mileage and the date so I could keep up with the gas I put in it. I hate to walk. Does this all sound familiar to any of you?
:eek: :eek: :eek:
Turbo5
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From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
Don't have enough info from your post to make a more accurate determination but it sounds like your guage may be indicating a slightly higher fuel quantity than you actually have. I think mine does too. When my indicator hits 3/4 tank, it normally takes about 3.5 gallons to top it off. At 1/2 tank, it takes about 10 gallons.
You may have to conduct some experiments to reach a point where you can actually determine if your fuel quantity indicator is giving you a :bs reading.
Fill the tank and drive it until you get to 3/4 tank, top it off. Drive it to 1/2 tank and top it off. Do this a few times and you'll have some idea if you are getting accurate readings.
I wouldn't go below 1/2 tank on any long trips; you don't want to be stranded somewhere.
Hope this helps. :steering: :auto:
:seeya
You may have to conduct some experiments to reach a point where you can actually determine if your fuel quantity indicator is giving you a :bs reading.
Fill the tank and drive it until you get to 3/4 tank, top it off. Drive it to 1/2 tank and top it off. Do this a few times and you'll have some idea if you are getting accurate readings.
I wouldn't go below 1/2 tank on any long trips; you don't want to be stranded somewhere.
Hope this helps. :steering: :auto:
:seeya
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Fontana CA
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
You will know when it happens. It is not as gradual as you would think and there really are no tell tale signs. You will be driving a long and all of a sudden it will drop to empty until you fill the tank again and it will move again with the full tank. This will continue to occurr sporadically until it happens with every tanks full of gas.Then the right side sending unit should be replaced to correct the problem. If you are out of warranty. It will cost around $280 for the sending unit plus the labor. Good luck. Yes it happened this way with mine and it took 6 visits to convince the dealorship to fix it right. But that is another story. Mark :lol: :cheers:
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Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
Mine did it several ways.... first time the gas guage stuck on full adn didnt move for like 150 miles... then the next time the gas guage went straight to empty in secs and set off alarms.... so it has various ways it tells you :crazy: I started using Shell high octane gas exclusively and I havent had the probs since... so gases like BP for example have higher sulfur contents so it can mess with the sending units in the tanks.... this doesnt mean that yours doesnt need repairing... its just a thought to try and see if it helps... :cheers:
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Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
Normally it just happens without warning. You know you have gas in the tank (say, 1/2 full), but then the chimes go off and you look down to see a gas guage on "E".
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (JDs00PewterCoupe)
Join the club...I just try to keep the tank around 3/4's full. It's happened to me about 3 times in the last year.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
Turbo5,
The "gas gauge thing" usually starts when Chevrolet builds a C5.......
My 1999 C5 coupe's gauge dropped to zero and chimed after I drove about ten miles after a fill-up. I was driving in the mountains and it scared me, thinking I would be stranded.
There has been many, many problems reported with the fuel gauge system on the C5. At about 17,000 miles, the dealer replaced the fuel modules after calling Chevrolet Technical Service.
Now at 33,000 miles, the gauge will stay at "full" until I drive about 125 miles. Sometimes it will read "full", then later drop to a more accurate reading.
The fuel gauge on the C5 is very poor and Chevrolet should be fined for building a car with such an unreliable fuel gauge.
The "gas gauge thing" usually starts when Chevrolet builds a C5.......
My 1999 C5 coupe's gauge dropped to zero and chimed after I drove about ten miles after a fill-up. I was driving in the mountains and it scared me, thinking I would be stranded.
There has been many, many problems reported with the fuel gauge system on the C5. At about 17,000 miles, the dealer replaced the fuel modules after calling Chevrolet Technical Service.
Now at 33,000 miles, the gauge will stay at "full" until I drive about 125 miles. Sometimes it will read "full", then later drop to a more accurate reading.
The fuel gauge on the C5 is very poor and Chevrolet should be fined for building a car with such an unreliable fuel gauge.
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From: Staten Island NY
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Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
Sorry to see you are having this problem. It is common with the C5. It happened to me at 10k miles, the gas guage read 1/2 but I ran out of fuel.
GM has a T.S.B. for this problem: # TSB 01-06-04-022 (Fuel Guage- Innacurate/Erratic Readings. Mar 01)
I gave this info to my deal and they changed the fuel guage sending unit. Everything was fine until about 30k miles when it started again. The dealer said he would replace (warranty) the sending unit again but he is sure the problem will happen again.
My best advice (until a real solution from GM is available) is to reset you trip odometer when you fill up. When I reach 220 miles I just fill up the tank.
Joe D
2000 Red Coupe
GM has a T.S.B. for this problem: # TSB 01-06-04-022 (Fuel Guage- Innacurate/Erratic Readings. Mar 01)
I gave this info to my deal and they changed the fuel guage sending unit. Everything was fine until about 30k miles when it started again. The dealer said he would replace (warranty) the sending unit again but he is sure the problem will happen again.
My best advice (until a real solution from GM is available) is to reset you trip odometer when you fill up. When I reach 220 miles I just fill up the tank.
Joe D
2000 Red Coupe
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
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Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
Well CRAP!!! We had a new Cadillac we had to write the mileage down on because the fuel gauge was full of bull. Now this is happening. I think I have the car curse. I just might have to exercise it this weekend, because of Halloween and all. Thanks for the information. I thought the gauge was showing more fuel than I had in the tank. Which it was. I was afraid it was reading 1/2 full and I was going to be walking because of no fuel.
Turbo5 :eek: :eek: :eek:
Turbo5 :eek: :eek: :eek:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
Turbo5,
Good luck.
Ironically, Chevrolet is aware of a potential problem with the 2004 C5 fuel gauge:
"This is to make aware owners of 2004 Corvette, of a condition that may present itself.
While many may make reference to the older fuel gauge condition on 97-03 pre FFS, this is completely different.
Under certain conditions, a terminal connection may be intermittant on the connector behind the battery, which will make the fuel gauge NOT function. A sharp bump, or movement may reset the gauge.
This is just a heads up to inspect all connections behind the battery, to confirm that ALL are put in the correct locations, and NOT hanging and bumping around.
This applies to 2004 only."
Ever wonder why Chevrolet can't build a car with a reliable fuel gauge?????
Good luck.
Ironically, Chevrolet is aware of a potential problem with the 2004 C5 fuel gauge:
"This is to make aware owners of 2004 Corvette, of a condition that may present itself.
While many may make reference to the older fuel gauge condition on 97-03 pre FFS, this is completely different.
Under certain conditions, a terminal connection may be intermittant on the connector behind the battery, which will make the fuel gauge NOT function. A sharp bump, or movement may reset the gauge.
This is just a heads up to inspect all connections behind the battery, to confirm that ALL are put in the correct locations, and NOT hanging and bumping around.
This applies to 2004 only."
Ever wonder why Chevrolet can't build a car with a reliable fuel gauge?????
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: NC
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (1999 White C5 Coupe)
It has happened to me twice. First time driving on the highway went from 1/2 to bells and below E.
Second time no warning. Went to drag strip with 3/4 of tank showing. Left with 1/3 showing. Ran out of gas on the way home. I thought I had broken the motor, but just out of gas.
I don't trust it below 1/2.
Second time no warning. Went to drag strip with 3/4 of tank showing. Left with 1/3 showing. Ran out of gas on the way home. I thought I had broken the motor, but just out of gas.
I don't trust it below 1/2.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Oswego NY
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (88sk)
My car has gone from 1/4 tank to nothing three different times.I've been told the high sulfer in the fuel will cause this. I was told to run a fuel additive, sold at Walmart (Techron)made by Chevron.I run a bottle and a half to a full tank of gas.The problem has gone away for now.I also started running Sunoco 94 octane gas. :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Philly burbs PA
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (BlackC5Vette)
I only had one fuel oddity. I filled up as normal and the guage only went to half tank. I pulled off the road a mile down and turned the car off and restarted it and presto, full tank. That is the only time it ever did anything funny, and that was in the spring, about 4,000 miles ago. 24,000 to date.
10.5 gallons at half tank sounds about right to me. I think the tank is only 19, right??
[Modified by DSTJ99, 11:10 PM 10/28/2003]
10.5 gallons at half tank sounds about right to me. I think the tank is only 19, right??
[Modified by DSTJ99, 11:10 PM 10/28/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: 07 black c6z
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (DSTJ99)
I have a 03 Z. Brand new... 500km. The fuel gauge showed half. Then I filled it again and it went to FULL. Then the HUD showed 1/2 ?!!! What's going on here?
I understand there are two fuel sensors to be replaced. I'll be talking to the dealer tomorrow.
I'll post more on this...!
Cheers!
Bill.
[Modified by smook, 4:02 AM 11/10/2003]
I understand there are two fuel sensors to be replaced. I'll be talking to the dealer tomorrow.
I'll post more on this...!
Cheers!
Bill.
[Modified by smook, 4:02 AM 11/10/2003]
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Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (JDs00PewterCoupe)
Normally it just happens without warning. You know you have gas in the tank (say, 1/2 full), but then the chimes go off and you look down to see a gas guage on "E".
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Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (Turbo5)
The gas guage thing usually starts with no warning - it will be acting normal, then fall to zero.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: 07 black c6z
Re: How does the gas gauge thing usually start? (LivinTheDream)
Ok. Here's my followup.
It appears that if you let-up on the nozzle when filling that allows you to fill the tank correctly. DO NOT fully depress the nozzle when filling. Part two, my HUD was set to OIL not GAS. It appears my problems are somewhat contained. I'll see if it appears again.
Bill. :confused:
It appears that if you let-up on the nozzle when filling that allows you to fill the tank correctly. DO NOT fully depress the nozzle when filling. Part two, my HUD was set to OIL not GAS. It appears my problems are somewhat contained. I'll see if it appears again.
Bill. :confused: