GM Fuel Gage Problems - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

james t kirk · 11-27-2003, 03:01 PM

Anyone else out there having problems with their late model GM fuel gages?

I thought mine was just one of those things, but i hear that this is fairly common.

Initially the problem started once the fuel level dropped below 1/8 of a tank, the needle would rock right over to full. It originally wasn't a problem since i was pretty close to filling up. But then it slowly got worse, until eventually, anything below half a tank caused the same thing to occur.

The solution was a new "fuel tank level sensor" which i installed myself just recently.

I am now hearing that it's being blamed on an additive that certain gasoline producers use.

I don't know about that one, but i can tell you that the sending unit itself is quite flimsy and weakly designed.

Wondering if anyone else has any info or similar problems.

mazak · 11-27-2003, 04:34 PM

what year and make you can check here http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Manual%...delLookup.html

for a tsb or recall on it. type in you re info about the car.

MSD · 11-28-2003, 11:44 PM

I had the same problem. It turned out that it meant my fuel pump was dying. I didn't find out until after the pump had completed the dying process.

Sion · 11-29-2003, 06:27 PM

"I am now hearing that it's being blamed on an additive that certain gasoline producers use."

I call bullshit on that.

merkerguitars · 11-30-2003, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sion
"I am now hearing that it's being blamed on an additive that certain gasoline producers use."

I call bullshit on that.

Yeah I would have to say that too....that would have to be some really nasty ass additive to screw up a fuel level sensor.

james t kirk · 11-30-2003, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sion
"I am now hearing that it's being blamed on an additive that certain gasoline producers use."

I call bullshit on that.

I agree.

I fixed the gas gage myself, and I can tell you this much, it's a very frail piece of junk.

Typical GM corner cutting where quality counts (engine, drivetrain, suspension, mechanical, electrical)

waynev · 12-27-2003, 12:19 PM

I had read on another board that the problem was indeed caused by sulfur in the gas. It reacts with the silver in the sensor and causes corrosion, therby causing the sensor to quit working. Either Audi or Volvo had the same problem and it cost them 40 million or so to fix it.

A link to the article

cj2112 · 01-11-2004, 11:43 AM

The additive in the gas is NOT the problem, it may be reacting w/ the materials in the sensor, but that is only because the sensor is a piece of shit to begin with. If that turns out to be the problem, it is indeed a design flaw on the behalf of the moron who decided to use that particular material in the sensor.

11-27-2003, 03:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
james t kirk Junkie Location: Toronto	GM Fuel Gage Problems Anyone else out there having problems with their late model GM fuel gages? I thought mine was just one of those things, but i hear that this is fairly common. Initially the problem started once the fuel level dropped below 1/8 of a tank, the needle would rock right over to full. It originally wasn't a problem since i was pretty close to filling up. But then it slowly got worse, until eventually, anything below half a tank caused the same thing to occur. The solution was a new "fuel tank level sensor" which i installed myself just recently. I am now hearing that it's being blamed on an additive that certain gasoline producers use. I don't know about that one, but i can tell you that the sending unit itself is quite flimsy and weakly designed. Wondering if anyone else has any info or similar problems.

11-29-2003, 06:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	"I am now hearing that it's being blamed on an additive that certain gasoline producers use." I call bullshit on that. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

11-27-2003, 04:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
mazak Crazy Location: louisianna	what year and make you can check here http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Manual%...delLookup.html for a tsb or recall on it. type in you re info about the car.

11-28-2003, 11:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	I had the same problem. It turned out that it meant my fuel pump was dying. I didn't find out until after the pump had completed the dying process.

12-27-2003, 12:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
waynev Upright Location: Dallas	I had read on another board that the problem was indeed caused by sulfur in the gas. It reacts with the silver in the sensor and causes corrosion, therby causing the sensor to quit working. Either Audi or Volvo had the same problem and it cost them 40 million or so to fix it. A link to the article

01-11-2004, 11:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	The additive in the gas is NOT the problem, it may be reacting w/ the materials in the sensor, but that is only because the sensor is a piece of shit to begin with. If that turns out to be the problem, it is indeed a design flaw on the behalf of the moron who decided to use that particular material in the sensor.