2008 Silverado 1500 Fuel level Issue

Fast Glass · February 6, 2017

Been a long time since I've been here.

Anyhow, my trucks fuel gauge has been acting up for the last couple years. First time I noticed was when I ran out of gas showing 1/4 tank. It's been slowly getting worse since. Now around 1/2 tank showing is when I know it's going dry.

Watching my trip meter works most of the time except in the winter when the truck idles for warming up.

So it's a 2008 1500 4x4 5.3 flex. Most everything I've read or known goes to the fuel level sensor in the tank. Ordered a new one, and checked the resistance from full to empty. It reads 38 on full, and 180 on empty. Read out the one in the fuel tank, and it reads the same. 38-180 ohms. So I'm ruling out the fuel level sensor in the tank. Checked the wiring under the truck and nothing rubbing or shorted.

From the wiring diagrams I've seen the fuel level sender info goes to the ECM then to the intsrument cluster.

Has anyone had similar issues? Does it sound like a cluster fault? Any tips on cluster repair?\

Thanks for any help.

Daryl LBZ · February 6, 2017

My guess would be of it's not the fuel level sensor it's probably the stepper motor for the fuel gauge.

Fast Glass · February 6, 2017

Thanks Daryl.

Quick search shows steppers for up to 2006 models. Anyone know a part number for 2007 NBS and up?

michigan2500hd · February 6, 2017

I had this same problem on my 07. Ran out of gas at least 3 or 4 times because it progressively got worse. Never fixed it because I thought it was something on the fuel pump and ended up trading it in on my '11.

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Fast Glass · February 8, 2017

Another question. What turns on the low fuel light in the gauge and the message in the DIC? Does that come from the ECM?

Neither one of those come on when it gets low on fuel either.

MaverickZ71 · February 8, 2017

Before you 'tear into it' mechanically, run some bottles of Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner (not fuel injection cleaner, which they also make) through 2 or 3 tanks of fuel. That stuff isn't cheap (but it's cheaper than the other parts), but it has been known to free up sticking sensors in the fuel tank. That just worked for a friend of mine on his old car.