Fuel Gauge Acting Up.

jsoden · May 21, 2011

It used to only happen in the cold, but now all the time. My fuel gauge likes to move around. If it's just sitting still, it will drop to E and the "low fuel" indicator will come on. While driving, it will move back and forth about 1/4 tank on the indicator and sometimes will stay where it's supposed to. Could this be a sensor issue, or am I going to have to pull the unit out of the tank? If so, can you detatch the tank and lower it, or will you have to remove the bed like some. Looking for answers. Thanks!

usmcfiredog · May 21, 2011

It used to only happen in the cold, but now all the time. My fuel gauge likes to move around. If it's just sitting still, it will drop to E and the "low fuel" indicator will come on. While driving, it will move back and forth about 1/4 tank on the indicator and sometimes will stay where it's supposed to. Could this be a sensor issue, or am I going to have to pull the unit out of the tank? If so, can you detatch the tank and lower it, or will you have to remove the bed like some. Looking for answers. Thanks!

I had the same problem a few years back after I bought my used 2000 Sierra. I was lucky enough that when I took it back to the dealer they pulled the unit and replaced the sensor in the gas tank. Unfortunately you will need to replace the unit in the gas tank to fix this issue.

05GMCZ71 · May 21, 2011

Yup. Bad sensor in the tank. While your in there you might as well replace the fuel sending unit (fuel pump) as it will eventually fail as well and you can kill 2 birds with one stone. Same thing happened on my 99, but the fuel pump failed so I ended up having both replaced.

Georgebaumann · May 21, 2011

on my dads 94 k2500 and 99 1500 suburban both of there sensors went bad. im pretty sure he just dropped the tank. (luckily it was pretty empty). but in my friends 94 ranger the fuel pump went bad so we just unbolted the bed and filler hose and lifted it up off the frame and moved it onto the grass.

CapitalTruck · May 24, 2011

Just for hahas, try running two 12 ounce bottles of techron through the tank. That's supposed to help clean off sending units.

05GMCZ71 · May 24, 2011

Well that is worth a shot, just make sure you pour the techron in there when the tank is below 1/4 then fill her up.

owenbyc · May 24, 2011

Yeah both my 2000 and 2003 same problem. But if you do it yourself id pull the bed. Ive did it twice once i dropped the tank with around 20 gallons after it quit working. I used some cuse words ive never heard before. 2nd time with the 03 i pulled the i think 8 bolts moved the bed just enough and changed it out. 2nd time was much easier trust me

jdewolfe · May 24, 2011

My 06 was doing this when I would get down to about 1/4 tank left. The last two tanks I have run the techron cleaner in it and I have yet to see it bounce around like it was previously. I'll update again once I run this tank down. I think it is worth a shot!

PiraticaL · May 24, 2011

I had a 2000 s-10 that would do this and if I remember right it was the sensor in the tank as well.

jsoden · May 29, 2011

Ok. I'm going to try the techron first. I'll let you all know if it helps. Thanks for all the replies!

jsoden · June 6, 2011

Tried the Techron. Twice. Didn't work. Now my fuel pump is doing the telltale high pitched hum, so I'm just going to replace the whole unit. After my research and looking at the underside, I'm just going to tip the bed to replace it so I don't have to drop the tank. Already got the new unit ordered. Hopefully I can get it done next week. Went ahead and replaced the filter today. Looks like it's been on there for awhile since the couplings were rusted to the filter and the filter itself was rusting pretty good. Already noticed a major performance improvement. Hopefully the pump will bring it back to normal.