Fuel Gauge Goin Haywire

marcus · 04-18-2008, 04:39 PM

Hello,i Noticed The Last Year Or So That My Fuel Gauge Works When It Wants To.most Of The Time It Reads Empty,even If The Tank Is Full,then Will Spike To The Correct Level.is This A Fuel Sender Unit?is It In The Fuel Tank?how Much To Fix? Thanks Marc

Chevy_Finatic79 · 04-18-2008, 04:46 PM

it is possible that the wire going to the sending unit has rubbed on the frame and broke,shorted or got corrosion in the wire creating resistance that gives it a mind of it's own. I would check the wire first

then bite the bullet and drop the tank because unfortunately for you the sending unit is part of the fuel pump assembly which is located inside the tank depending on what year it is.

might be a good time to replace the fuel pump screen filter and the pump depending on what year it is while you have the tank dropped if you have to go that route

crabtruck · 04-19-2008, 12:10 AM

This the 1999 silverado ?

marcus · 04-19-2008, 10:38 AM

thats correct.is that wire your talkin be acsessed fairly easy?where is it?thanks marc

zazlo · 04-19-2008, 12:27 PM

You might try adding a can of fuel injector cleaner to the tank.Ive cleaned high resistance build up on the sending unit this way before.Hope you dont use shell fuel.I use BG44k injector cleaner,it real works great.If you cant find it try the chevron techroleen additive.Its the same product just not as concentrated according to the BG rep.Maybee 2 bottles to a full tank of fuel.good luck

Chevy_Finatic79 · 04-19-2008, 01:01 PM

the wire I speak of is usually on the drivers side frame rail if it has a saddle tank but it can also be on the passenger side as well. On my truck which is older the sending unit wire is pink and it runs in the same wire loom going to the tail lights.

if you get under the truck and start at the tank look for a black plastic wire loom follow that wire loom from the tank to the firewall and see if there is any signs of damage to it like a pinch or rubbing on the frame. if you can without dropping the tank see if the pink wire has continuity from the tank to the firewall.

marcus · 04-19-2008, 05:01 PM

good advice,i will follow that.thanks marc

04-18-2008, 04:39 PM	#1
marcus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13	Fuel Gauge Goin Haywire Hello,i Noticed The Last Year Or So That My Fuel Gauge Works When It Wants To.most Of The Time It Reads Empty,even If The Tank Is Full,then Will Spike To The Correct Level.is This A Fuel Sender Unit?is It In The Fuel Tank?how Much To Fix? Thanks Marc

04-18-2008, 04:46 PM	#2
Chevy_Finatic79 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 442	it is possible that the wire going to the sending unit has rubbed on the frame and broke,shorted or got corrosion in the wire creating resistance that gives it a mind of it's own. I would check the wire first then bite the bullet and drop the tank because unfortunately for you the sending unit is part of the fuel pump assembly which is located inside the tank depending on what year it is. might be a good time to replace the fuel pump screen filter and the pump depending on what year it is while you have the tank dropped if you have to go that route __________________ "She's gonna Freak when she see's my wheels" 85' Chevy C-10 Longbox (Rat) TBI 5.7 Liter/THM350 90' Chevy Suburban 4x4 TBI 350 Cu.In./700R4 http://www.truckforum.org/forums/truck-pictures-176.htm

04-19-2008, 01:01 PM	#6
Chevy_Finatic79 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 442	the wire I speak of is usually on the drivers side frame rail if it has a saddle tank but it can also be on the passenger side as well. On my truck which is older the sending unit wire is pink and it runs in the same wire loom going to the tail lights. if you get under the truck and start at the tank look for a black plastic wire loom follow that wire loom from the tank to the firewall and see if there is any signs of damage to it like a pinch or rubbing on the frame. if you can without dropping the tank see if the pink wire has continuity from the tank to the firewall. __________________ "She's gonna Freak when she see's my wheels" 85' Chevy C-10 Longbox (Rat) TBI 5.7 Liter/THM350 90' Chevy Suburban 4x4 TBI 350 Cu.In./700R4 http://www.truckforum.org/forums/truck-pictures-176.htm

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04-19-2008, 12:10 AM	#3
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,474	This the 1999 silverado ?

04-19-2008, 10:38 AM	#4
marcus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13	thats correct.is that wire your talkin be acsessed fairly easy?where is it?thanks marc

04-19-2008, 12:27 PM	#5
zazlo Full Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: vancouver bc Posts: 25	You might try adding a can of fuel injector cleaner to the tank.Ive cleaned high resistance build up on the sending unit this way before.Hope you dont use shell fuel.I use BG44k injector cleaner,it real works great.If you cant find it try the chevron techroleen additive.Its the same product just not as concentrated according to the BG rep.Maybee 2 bottles to a full tank of fuel.good luck

04-19-2008, 05:01 PM	#7
marcus Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13	good advice,i will follow that.thanks marc