fuel guage Not Working Properly

rkn2903 · April 26, 2004

I have a problem with my fuel guage on my 99 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT jumping around, from empty to 1/2 full to full, does anyone have a solution to this problem.

Shaners · April 26, 2004

A guy at work just bought a used Silverado, and his gauge does the same thing... The dealer told him that they recieved a memo from GM about the the problem, but they don't have a fix for it yet.

I don't know if they were feeding him some BS or telling the truth...

rkn2903 · April 26, 2004

A freind of mine also have a 99 Seirra 1500 5.3L, and he's experincing the same problem, anyone have an ideal what it could be before I take it to the dealer. Thanks

gmcjoe · April 26, 2004

Very common problem on 99-00 FS trucks. Fuel sending unit is going bad

Not a cheap fix if your truck is out of warranty. I have gone by my trip odometer for over 60K miles now

c5vetteman · April 26, 2004

Very common problem on 99-00 FS trucks. Fuel sending unit is going bad

Not a cheap fix if your truck is out of warranty. I have gone by my trip odometer for over 60K miles now

Its the fuel sending unit. I had it replaced on my old truck. Luckily, I had an extended warranty to cover the bill.

2k3TahoeZ · April 26, 2004

I'm about to have my thrid one installed on my 03.

rkn2903 · April 27, 2004

How much does a problem like this cost to fix.

kengelz71 · April 27, 2004

To replace a fuel pump, which happens to be where the fuel gauge sending unit is located also, it will cost you around $355.00. And the sending unit is NOT available as a separate item. My 2000 Xtended Cab Z71 fuel gauge was hopping around for the past year and a half, but after dropping the tank and unscrewing the fuel pump from the top, all is well once again.

gmcjoe · April 27, 2004

To replace a fuel pump, which happens to be where the fuel gauge sending unit is located also, it will cost you around $355.00. And the sending unit is NOT available as a separate item. My 2000 Xtended Cab Z71 fuel gauge was hopping around for the past year and a half, but after dropping the tank and unscrewing the fuel pump from the top, all is well once again.

I have a part number (at home of course) for just the sending unit portion. I haven't ordered it yet because, frankly I'm too lazy

GnatGoSplat · April 27, 2004

My 99 does the same thing.

My solution: Ignore it and go by the odometer.

I figure the fuel pump will go out one of these days, then I'll kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

rkn2903 · May 1, 2004

How many gallons of gasoline does the GMC 99 Sierra 5.3l holds, because I don't have a manual to tell me. Thanks

Tucson_02Silverado · May 1, 2004

There's suppose to be a GM Techline bullentin saying that it is bad practice to replace the fuel level sender, but rather to use a repair kit. If you're wanting to attempt this yourself, MountaineerTom wrote a couple of articles on replacing the entire sender, but will still apply as you'll still need to remove the sender from the tank for repair. Finding MountaineerTom's article It's not specific to the NBS trucks, but it'll give a good idea of the labor involved.

From another thread... my entry

FUEL GAUGE, DROPS TO EMPTY

Part number they used on my '02 was 25345176 Sensor Kit 3.107

Don't know the cost of the kit nor how long it takes, it's all $0.00 warranty on my invoice. PartsZoneOnline.com shows it list for $121.94 after discount $83.97. Also can't say if the kit works on other than '02 26 gallon tank. I took my truck in at 11:00 and by 15:30 was called saying it was finished. And it had a 1/2 tank of fuel in it.