Service Fuel System
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by vic_red
Okay, so I've lurked for awhile and I was hoping to have something more valuable than THIS to offer, especially since it's my first post. Unfortunately, this is it:
First of all, WHAT A GREAT SITE!!! Kudos to the administrators AND the members, for making it a worthwhile place to drop in on EVERY TIME.
I picked up my C6 on June 8 (Vic Red, Z51, Nav, 6spd MT, OnStar), after I sent back the black automatic (which I picked up in March). It's my first domestic since my 1980 Cutlass, after which I had a slew of imports. It's a Corvette dammit! I love this car, but...
I too, have problems getting it into 1st gear at the light. I heeded the advice on another post stating it would be easier to put it into 2nd first, then up to 1st, but sometimes I can't get it into second either. I'm hoping it's just that it's still new and has to be worked in, insofar as this problem is concerned. It IS embarrassing though, brand spanking new, shiny red Corvette, and the guy can't get it into gear = L-O-S-E-R!!!
As well, I too have problems with my 'Service Fuel System' light coming on. Over the past two months though (and it never happened on the black C6), I have realized that this happens ONLY after I fill up on Sunoco 94 octane. After fuelling up, the 'Service Fuel System' light comes on, and once the gauges have done their little show (where they go to MAX then return to actual - SO COOL!!!), the SFS light stays on and the fuel gauge goes to empty. The first time it happened, I dialled up OnStar, with the gauges still showing no fuel (but it was just filled) and the SFS light on. Their diagnostics check showed a 'Transmission Problem'(!!!), but no fuel system problem. I got out, thought I was unscrewing the gas filler cap (more on this to follow), thought I was screwing it back in, started 'er up again, and still...SFS, and no fuel. Left the station, fuel came up to half, then dropped to zero again. This happened for some time (fuel level showing zero then half then zero then full, etc.) but it eventually came to display a proper FULL reading.
After 1600km (roughly 900 miles), the problem persists, BUT only after a fill up. This time, I took the time to ensure the gas filler cap was screwed in tightly when I finished fuelling up and that it wasn't the fact that the filler cap was the reason for the SFS warning light. Guess what? I can't screw it in - it just turns and turns and never catches. I'm not mechanically oriented and therefore not familiar with the mechanism itself, but I did try pushing in on it through several rotations of the cap, but NO LUCK - it just won't catch!
I'm assuming, and therefore asking whether, this could be another cause of MY and other's SFS problem (besides the Fuel Sending Unit problem - which sounds like an even bigger job to fix). After awhile, the SFS light does go out and the fuel gauge reads properly (remarkably, at the same time), so I prefer to keep it out of my dealer's greasy little hands and put up with it FOR NOW (our Summers are too short in Toronto!). If it is, it's no wonder the domestics are taking a beating! This is a car with a HUGE amount of advanced testing and numerous accolades. Is this a classic case of a $0.99 part ruining a $72,000CAD experience, and causing people to switch to Imports? But it's a Corvette dammit! I love this car!!!
Whaddaya think?
Joe
First of all, WHAT A GREAT SITE!!! Kudos to the administrators AND the members, for making it a worthwhile place to drop in on EVERY TIME.
I picked up my C6 on June 8 (Vic Red, Z51, Nav, 6spd MT, OnStar), after I sent back the black automatic (which I picked up in March). It's my first domestic since my 1980 Cutlass, after which I had a slew of imports. It's a Corvette dammit! I love this car, but...
I too, have problems getting it into 1st gear at the light. I heeded the advice on another post stating it would be easier to put it into 2nd first, then up to 1st, but sometimes I can't get it into second either. I'm hoping it's just that it's still new and has to be worked in, insofar as this problem is concerned. It IS embarrassing though, brand spanking new, shiny red Corvette, and the guy can't get it into gear = L-O-S-E-R!!!
As well, I too have problems with my 'Service Fuel System' light coming on. Over the past two months though (and it never happened on the black C6), I have realized that this happens ONLY after I fill up on Sunoco 94 octane. After fuelling up, the 'Service Fuel System' light comes on, and once the gauges have done their little show (where they go to MAX then return to actual - SO COOL!!!), the SFS light stays on and the fuel gauge goes to empty. The first time it happened, I dialled up OnStar, with the gauges still showing no fuel (but it was just filled) and the SFS light on. Their diagnostics check showed a 'Transmission Problem'(!!!), but no fuel system problem. I got out, thought I was unscrewing the gas filler cap (more on this to follow), thought I was screwing it back in, started 'er up again, and still...SFS, and no fuel. Left the station, fuel came up to half, then dropped to zero again. This happened for some time (fuel level showing zero then half then zero then full, etc.) but it eventually came to display a proper FULL reading.
After 1600km (roughly 900 miles), the problem persists, BUT only after a fill up. This time, I took the time to ensure the gas filler cap was screwed in tightly when I finished fuelling up and that it wasn't the fact that the filler cap was the reason for the SFS warning light. Guess what? I can't screw it in - it just turns and turns and never catches. I'm not mechanically oriented and therefore not familiar with the mechanism itself, but I did try pushing in on it through several rotations of the cap, but NO LUCK - it just won't catch!
I'm assuming, and therefore asking whether, this could be another cause of MY and other's SFS problem (besides the Fuel Sending Unit problem - which sounds like an even bigger job to fix). After awhile, the SFS light does go out and the fuel gauge reads properly (remarkably, at the same time), so I prefer to keep it out of my dealer's greasy little hands and put up with it FOR NOW (our Summers are too short in Toronto!). If it is, it's no wonder the domestics are taking a beating! This is a car with a HUGE amount of advanced testing and numerous accolades. Is this a classic case of a $0.99 part ruining a $72,000CAD experience, and causing people to switch to Imports? But it's a Corvette dammit! I love this car!!!
Whaddaya think?
Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 784
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Make sure they know what they are doing.
Originally Posted by VET4LES
My shifting get's easier the more miles it gets on it. When was your car manufactured? If it was before May your fuel problem could be the card that so many of us have had replaced. If after May it might be your cap. Either way you need to take it to the dealer and let them correct the problem. Most of them know what they are doing and should take care of you.
Make sure they have at least 2 or three sending units in stock. They will break the original and then put in the new one. If that fails then you are waiting for 1-2 weeks maybe more to get one in stock. That is what happened to me. Also make sure you dealer has done a few of them and it will take less time. If the dealer says he has never heard of this problem go to another, that was my mistake before I joined the CF.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 784
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Just got fixed
After three plus weeks at the dealer they got the fuel pump installed in the tank. The first one failed and they broke the original when they removed it and no others available. I was told there were 200 for the USA and one was mine. They got in today 9/13/05, and it was installed, it only took three weeks. 27 day's at the dealer within the first 160 days of ownership and I charged the battery after 5 other DBS instead of having it towed to the dealer. Trans still not fixed and electrical system not fixed. I see many days at the dealer in the next few months and a fight to fix the other problems.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster Ohio
Originally Posted by VET4LES
It's a simple fix. The dealer's are familar with the problem. The left tank will be removed and a new sending unit installed. Mine took about four hours.
What really troubles me is this problem seems to be very widespread and no recalls have been issued. This is a crock of S...
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
no gas with full tank
Originally Posted by VET4LES
It's a simple fix. The dealer's are familar with the problem. The left tank will be removed and a new sending unit installed. Mine took about four hours.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
I find it very sad that GM has not figured out how to manufacture a working GAS GAUGE.
This was/is a problem with the C5's that had a 7 year run, you would think that they might have thought it important enough to address given the amount of aggravation this has caused MANY C5 owners. Not to mention it makes your "flagship" look like a vehicle of sub-par quality.
I also would respectfully disagree with the poster who said "Most dealers know what they are doing". From past personnal experience I would have to say most dealers HAVE NO ****ING CLUE what they are doing.
This was/is a problem with the C5's that had a 7 year run, you would think that they might have thought it important enough to address given the amount of aggravation this has caused MANY C5 owners. Not to mention it makes your "flagship" look like a vehicle of sub-par quality.
I also would respectfully disagree with the poster who said "Most dealers know what they are doing". From past personnal experience I would have to say most dealers HAVE NO ****ING CLUE what they are doing.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by Mick_S3
I find it very sad that GM has not figured out how to manufacture a working GAS GAUGE.
This was/is a problem with the C5's that had a 7 year run, you would think that they might have thought it important enough to address given the amount of aggravation this has caused MANY C5 owners. Not to mention it makes your "flagship" look like a vehicle of sub-par quality.
This was/is a problem with the C5's that had a 7 year run, you would think that they might have thought it important enough to address given the amount of aggravation this has caused MANY C5 owners. Not to mention it makes your "flagship" look like a vehicle of sub-par quality.
I also would respectfully disagree with the poster who said "Most dealers know what they are doing". From past personnal experience I would have to say most dealers HAVE NO ****ING CLUE what they are doing.
Please note, I'm not anti-technology. I am very much in favor of the appropriate use of technology, when it makes something work better, be more reliable, and offers obvious benefits to the user. But it is just as important, if not more so, to realize when solutions to technical problems are mature, and should not be needlessly over-complicated simply because you can make them more complex. That just serves to make the customer's life more frustrating, and the repairman's life more difficult.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Originally Posted by Braced
It's just one of those new car glitches. Now if I can only figure out my A/c problem!
SB
SB
Tom
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Mill Valley CA
Fuel System Alert
After several gut-wrenching sessions, in which the SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM warning came on and the gas gague plummeted to zero, I decided, rather than take my Vette in for major surgery, I would try filling the gas tank never more than 3/4 or 4/5 full. I've done that now for several months, and no more problems.
Yes, it's a minor pain, but better than having an unknown service person perform a major repair on my otherwise-just-fine Corvette.
Yes, it's a minor pain, but better than having an unknown service person perform a major repair on my otherwise-just-fine Corvette.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Stanley Virginia
I had the same problem with a 2001 c5. Never did find out what caused the problem.It would happen maybe once or twice a year. You would think by 2008 Gm would have fixed this problem.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 633
Likes: 13
From: Hurley New York
Trying the Techron additive. Suggested by local Corvette shop also. We'll see if it does anything.
Car sat overnight with the Techron Concentrate, Had doubts this would do anything. Took her out in AM and guage still dead. As I reach the bottom of driveway it comes back to life.
Car sat overnight with the Techron Concentrate, Had doubts this would do anything. Took her out in AM and guage still dead. As I reach the bottom of driveway it comes back to life.
Last edited by ALS 08; Oct 10, 2010 at 12:53 PM.
