• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

My Gas Gauge has gone Crazy

9T8Vette

9T8Vette

Been around for awhile
My Car's gas guage has gone :crazy03: .I was on my way home from the show and notice that the chek gauges lite was on and then look the gas gauge was dead on empty .I knew that there was dam near a full tank.So i had stop at a rest area to drain the lizard .Got back on my way home gas gauge was workin fine and never had a problem until i was close to home .Now she is coming and going like it gone wacko.Please fill free to share if this has happen to you.:wavey:
 
Yes I have to Shock the Hamsters now and then too!

:banghead:

From a guy who could not fix a washing machine...I have my solution to everything. My 97 did the same thing about a year ago. The solution from all the experts....This is Scary!!!....Pull off the battery cables.....wait awhile...re-connect and let the computer re-set itself.

Told you that was scary...that is my solution to every corvette problem I have ever had !!!! :eek:
 
What brand of gasoline do you use? The scoop I have heard is that some brands are better than others and the "others" can cause the problem you are experiencing. The recommendation I have heard to fix the problem is to use Chevron gasoline (perhaps others). Any with Techron as an additive to the gasoline will help clear up problems caused by gunked up fuel level sensors.

At least that is what I have heard..... Your mileage may vary.
 
I am not knowing what year your Vette is but I know that the 2002's had a problem, here is the copy of the TSB. I guess you could call a dealer and see if this would also apply to your car. I have also read many times that gas with high sulfur content wreaks havok on the fuel tank senders, especially Shell gasoline. Some people suggest trying a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel addititive. Also see if your car has thrown any codes, possibly
P1431.

this is the TSB for 2002's consisting of a PCM reflash.


Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM) #02-06-04-010

Erratic Fuel Gauge Reading (Reprogram the PCM)
2002 Chevrolet Corvette

Condition
Some owners may comment about the fuel gauge intermittently indicating an empty reading and then return to the correct fuel level indication.

Cause
This condition may result when fuel blends containing aggressive sulphur compounds react with the fuel sender assembly, which may result in voltage spikes being induced on the fuel level signal to the PCM. Use of another fuel blend may reverse this reaction and return the system to normal operation.

Correction
Reprogram the PCM with the new service calibration which is available in the January 2002, Techline TIS 2000 release. Use the TIS 01/2002 or later data update.
 
Filled the tank for the first time today. Got in and the needle is pegged on empty. After driving a couple miles, it slowly starts to move up on its way to full. Drove to work and parked it for a couple hours. Went to show a friend the car it the needle moved back to half then slowly goes to full!!

Read the link above, has anyone here replaced their own sender units, got an idea of where they're located? Mines a 99 so i'm sure it won't get repaired for free. I don't have to drop the tank correct??
 
Try a couple tanks of Chevron gasoline before replacing anything. It may very well fix the problem.....
 
will do, thanks Rich.

Hmmm, since i just filled up. What do you think if i bought some bottles of the techron additive from the store? Think it may help?
 
Heck, I certainly would try it. What brand of gasoline did you use when you got it filled up?
 
We had this happen with 2 C5s and 1 05 C6. Sold the C5s and lemon lawed the C6 back to Chevrolet because they never could fix the problem.
 
As Nytro said, it's to do with the sulphur content in the fuel. Just switch brands or even buy a bottle of Techron from your local auto parts store. I had the problem once and it has not happened since.
 
Rich Z said:
Try a couple tanks of Chevron gasoline before replacing anything. It may very well fix the problem.....
Click to expand...

Agreed. The fuel gage issue is very common with C-5's. I've had occasional trouble in my Z. I started running Chevron or Texaco with Techron and the problem disappeared.
 
My 98s gas gauge stop going :crazy03: after i have fill up with chevron and used techron additive and i have not had a problem since:wavey:
 
9T8Vette said:
My 98s gas gauge stop going :crazy03: after i have fill up with chevron and used techron additive and i have not had a problem since:wavey:
Click to expand...
Coolness! :thumbsup: :dancer01:

So much for "all gas is the same"...
 
My Turn

9T8Vette said:
My Car's gas guage has gone :crazy03: .I was on my way home from the show and notice that the chek gauges lite was on and then look the gas gauge was dead on empty .I knew that there was dam near a full tank.So i had stop at a rest area to drain the lizard .Got back on my way home gas gauge was workin fine and never had a problem until i was close to home .Now she is coming and going like it gone wacko.Please fill free to share if this has happen to you.:wavey:
Click to expand...
My turn to chime in. I usually use Shell or Mobil 93 octane, but I decided to fill up with Chevron this time to take advantage of the Techron additive. Had 1/4 tank left, so 3/4 of a tank of Chevron went in. Drove it from Bradenton to Dunedin, parked it in the garage overnite, and took the Sunshine Parkway up to Crystal River today. Had lunch with an old Army buddy I hadn't seen in 38 years, then started back to Dunedin on 19. I'm driving along, on cruise, at about 65 when I hear BING, and see the CHECK GAUGES message on the HUD. Scan the gauges and see that the fuel gauge is pegged on empty. I had just checked it about 3 minutes before and I KNOW that there is 5/8ths of a tank left, so I kept driving (moved over to the far right lane "just in case"), and within 5 miles the CHECK GAUGES message went out, and the fuel gauge went back up to 5/8ths of a tank. It was fine the rest of the way home. Where do I find the procedure to change the sensors, and can somebody (anybody ???) fill me in on how to do it, and what is involved?
Thanks,
"5/8ths to zero in a New York Minute" Andy
 
Hmmm.

Angel's car is doing this now. The guage goes to E when the tank is not empty. Those of you that had this problem...what steps (listed above or otherwise) did you take and did it work?

~Ray
 
I had my 2002 for four years without a problem. I sold it last April and bought the '06. One month after I sold it, I got an email from the buyer wanting to know if I had any problems with the fuel gauge showing empty when he knew he had a least half a tank. One time, the car wouldn't even start as if he was out of gas.
I kept in touch with him and Chevy replaced the fuel sending unit. It seems that the '02 has two fuel tanks and a sending unit to distribute the fuel.
I have heard that this is a common problem with '02s.
By the way, I hope this is not the problem with Angel's car. The sending unit is not cheap.
Lou
 
We purchased...

a bumper to bumper warranty when we bought her car, I was kind of hoping this would be a warranty item.:D
 
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