Gas Gage Drops to "E" randomly

[Dubins]

My gas Gage will randomly drop to below "E" Randomly then if bang the tank or somtimes even stomp my foot on the floor it will go back to normal, before i drop the tank i was wondering if anyone had any ideas what it could be ???

[Chris]

What is the info on the vehicle. Depending on year, could be stepper motor on gauge or fuel level sending unit

[Dubins]

Its a 2000 gmc sle 5.3L single cab 8ft bed 4wd, what other info would help???

[Chris]

That was info needed. I would look to the things mentioned. What mileage? If it is the original fuel pump, wouldnt hurt to replace it.

[Dubins]

104k and is the original pump just got it gonna run through and start replacing the normal thing was hoping that i would not have to drop the tank but i guess i shall

[Chris]

Get 2 friends and pull the bed

[Dubins]

Just found out from previous owner that the fuel pump was replaced less than 30k ago, and the issue was happening before and after the new pump.

[efritz]

if it was a cheap aftermarket pump, it is worse than the worn one that was removed. If you can bang on the tank and that fixes it, it is likely the sending unit which is part of the pump. Unlikely, but could possibly be a connector or wires near the tank. A 2000 does not have stepper motors for the fuel gauge, it is magnetic. Does the low fuel light come on also?

[maplesig]

I had a 2000 Silverado with the 5.3L and had the same issue. Turned out to be the sending unit.

[SILVER SLED]

Not sure, but I think you can get a pump seperate from sending unit. The sending unit is probably the problem.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

That's a warning sign that the sending unit is failing. I've had it happen to a few different vehicles. Every time the fuel gauge acted as you describe, the sending unit needed to be replaced.

 

 

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[kgrumbach]

This is a shot in dark but might be worth a try. Try running a couple tanks of fuel with Techron fuel system cleaner in it.

 

I read about this happening on lots of C5 corvettes on Corvette forum. Shortly after that mine did the same thing, I knew I had 3/4 tank of fuel

 

but needle showed empty. After putting the Techron in for a couple tanks it started working properly again. This was about 4 years ago

 

and it hasn't happened since. Like I said, shot in the dark but that's what I'd try first.

[Dubins]

Yeah the low fuel light does come on if i bang the tank or even hit a bump it fixes it self, the previous owner (my father) changed the fuel pump not to long ago im not sure if it was a cheap one or not.

[skooby]

i agree with grumpygmc but i used shell premium seems to help maybe a cheap fix good luck

[jhm]

had same problem sending unit in tank is bad. I replaced both pump and unit since it was at about 80k.