1998 Chevy Truck Fuel Gauge Trouble

stewartville · 02-04-2009, 06:28 AM

I have a 1998 Chevy K1500 Ext Cab that had a loud fuel pump while at the same time the fuel gauge vibrated rapidly (needle actually looked blurry). Replaced it twice with NAPA assemblies, and never solved either problem. Replaced again with an AC Delco and solved noise and vibration but was rewarded with a new problem. Now fuel gauge is completely eradic. Sometimes its full sometimes its empty and it moves while going down the road. Finally I replaced the instrument cluster and the same problem still exists. Thanks, Ryan

Kennyray · 02-04-2009, 07:05 AM

did you replace the sending unit when you relaced the pump

leolkfrm · 02-04-2009, 07:07 AM

Welcome to the forum
Did you confirm a clean ground at the tank?

bradrhale · 02-04-2009, 10:08 AM

^that is where my money is at^

stewartville · 02-04-2009, 01:18 PM

Yes we replaced the entire unit. And we also have a good ground at the tank. Thanks

crabtruck · 02-05-2009, 12:48 AM

Is this part of the recall years for dashes ? Might want to search the forum for old threads on that.

stumpuller454 · 02-05-2009, 09:43 AM

Its either a bad wire ittermitantly contacting or a problem with the dash. an open circuit in the sense wire will read full on the dash. To varify get a instrument cluster diagram and check resistance of sending unit, i beleive its around 65 ohms for full tank, if you find it higher you have an open wire somewere to go find. I probly have a diagram in my 98 service manual, if you like i can look it up and tell you were to test it.

crabtruck · 02-05-2009, 05:23 PM

Couple thoughts: How full is the tank when you are seeing these full scale swings ?
Makes a difference in trying to see where the prime error is from.
When stump says over 65 ohms you might not want to worry too much
about anything below 100 ohms as showing broken wire.
Unless you pull it from the truck, resistance will vary with how much fuel is in tank.
You get vibration while driving down road. If you are lucky enough to have
the needle stay in a wrong place when you pull over, try pounding the dash
before shutting it off. This would indicate a local problem.
May want to try that while driving too. Good luck.
I know my gauge would return to normal when stepping on brake,
this was because of wire drag below dash.

02-04-2009, 06:28 AM	#1
stewartville Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	1998 Chevy Truck Fuel Gauge Trouble I have a 1998 Chevy K1500 Ext Cab that had a loud fuel pump while at the same time the fuel gauge vibrated rapidly (needle actually looked blurry). Replaced it twice with NAPA assemblies, and never solved either problem. Replaced again with an AC Delco and solved noise and vibration but was rewarded with a new problem. Now fuel gauge is completely eradic. Sometimes its full sometimes its empty and it moves while going down the road. Finally I replaced the instrument cluster and the same problem still exists. Thanks, Ryan

02-04-2009, 07:07 AM	#3
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,903	Welcome to the forum Did you confirm a clean ground at the tank? __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I Last edited by leolkfrm; 02-04-2009 at 10:15 AM.

02-04-2009, 01:18 PM	#5
stewartville Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	fuel gauge Yes we replaced the entire unit. And we also have a good ground at the tank. Thanks

02-05-2009, 09:43 AM	#7
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,206	Its either a bad wire ittermitantly contacting or a problem with the dash. an open circuit in the sense wire will read full on the dash. To varify get a instrument cluster diagram and check resistance of sending unit, i beleive its around 65 ohms for full tank, if you find it higher you have an open wire somewere to go find. I probly have a diagram in my 98 service manual, if you like i can look it up and tell you were to test it. __________________ SUPERCHARGED 454 K2500 GMC! Watch My Youtube Videos!!<<<

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02-04-2009, 07:05 AM	#2
Kennyray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 895	did you replace the sending unit when you relaced the pump

02-04-2009, 10:08 AM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,509	^that is where my money is at^

02-05-2009, 12:48 AM	#6
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,106	Is this part of the recall years for dashes ? Might want to search the forum for old threads on that.

02-05-2009, 05:23 PM	#8
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,106	Couple thoughts: How full is the tank when you are seeing these full scale swings ? Makes a difference in trying to see where the prime error is from. When stump says over 65 ohms you might not want to worry too much about anything below 100 ohms as showing broken wire. Unless you pull it from the truck, resistance will vary with how much fuel is in tank. You get vibration while driving down road. If you are lucky enough to have the needle stay in a wrong place when you pull over, try pounding the dash before shutting it off. This would indicate a local problem. May want to try that while driving too. Good luck. I know my gauge would return to normal when stepping on brake, this was because of wire drag below dash.

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