fuel guage goes way beyond full at start up

[cashflow50]

2003 GMC Yukon V8 SLE

 

When I start my yuke, the fuel guage jumps way past and beyond the full mark to about where the gas pump picture is at on the dash cluster (see attached photo). Sometimes during my commute from house to store, to another store, then back home, guage goes back to a normal reading. What is causing this intemittent reading on my fuel guage? Please help. Thanks.

[fondupot]

Maybe the fuel level sensor is going bad.

[cashflow50]

will that be an easy remove and install for a gmc yukon? Do i have to drop the tank to get to it?

[txab]

Drop the tank

[Jsdirt]

Nothing is easy on a modern auto. Even spark plugs are a pain in the ass these days ...

 

My '89 S10 Blazer started doing this after it sat out back for a couple months. I suspect a short caused by rodents.

[MikeNH]

Almost certainly a bad sending unit. You will have to drop the tank, but that's the same as pretty much every full frame SUV ever made so don't let the bad info about working on on new vehicles above dissuade you.

[Jsdirt]

It's not bad info - it's a fact. Working on cars today SUCKS. You still a mechanic, Mike? Not many stay in it for life like they did back in the day.

 

Doable? Sure - any problem on any car is fixable. Fun? F*** no!

 

In case your reading comprehension sucks just as bad, MY problem is a short due to rodents - not his.

[tbarn]

My money is on bad cluster. Scan it. (PCM)

If it is a bad sender it should have a code P0461 - P0463. Will not turn the SES light.

[MikeNH]

It's not bad info - it's a fact. Working on cars today SUCKS. You still a mechanic, Mike? Not many stay in it for life like they did back in the day.

 

Doable? Sure - any problem on any car is fixable. Fun? F*** no!

 

In case your reading comprehension sucks just as bad, MY problem is a short due to rodents - not his.

 

No. I only worked in the shop for a little over two years. And working on cars today is FAR better than it was in times past. I'd rather chase electrical faults any day over a pinhole vacuum leak in the miles of vacuum tubing older cars had. Never mind that cars today are far more reliable than cars in the past.

[Jsdirt]

Who leaves the vacuum lines? That was the first thing we ripped out of those cars. All that stuff got tossed in the trash where it belongs.

 

Since you think these vehicles are so great, I'll sell you my truck for $18k.

[cashflow50]

I hope this not a stupid question but, Is the fuel level sensor and sending unit the same thing? And where are they located in the means of in the tank or on the tank? Be nice guys. noob here and dont want to bring yuke to the stealership. Thanks again.

[cashflow50]

another thing is that the stealership just installed a new one in my yuke about 3-4 years ago. Spent 1g on the whole thing. It would be still good to go right knowing its only 3-4 years old.

[Jsdirt]

Sensor, sending unit - same thing. Out west they called an adjustable wrench a crescent wrench - out here, we call it an adjustable. Petrol in England ... gasoline in the USA. Different strokes for different folks.

 

Genuine GM is mostly made in china these days, so an aftermarket sender will be a better, cheaper alternative.

[tbarn]

Cheaper maybe. But better? I doubt it. Unless cheaper = better

[Chevor]

Had that happen once. Under -30 gelled the fuel. Once things warmed up it went back to normal.