crazy gas gauge

silverchevy2500 · August 29, 2004

i have a 2000 silverado 2500. it just started a new thing. If i am sitting in drive with the brake on for maybe a minute the gas gauge goes to empty and the light comes on. and after i get gas it takes 10 minutes to slowly reach full. can anyone help me or does anyone have this problem. thanks

02 Silverado Z71 · August 29, 2004

Get a new fuel gage sender. Is located on the side of the fuel pump module. Yes, you have to drop the tank to do it.

I have done 3 of these in the past 2 months. If you have access to a hoist (lift), you can have it done in 30 minutes.

Don't let the parts guy sell you a complete fuel pump module; that is NOT the problem. The fuel gage sender IS AVAILABLE SEPERATE!

Shaners · August 29, 2004

I agree that it is the sending unit...

ROD1969 · August 30, 2004

I agree with the last two guys it neeeds a sending unit, there fairly pricey if there any thing like the senders in the late 90's

medic550 · September 1, 2004

I have somewhat of the same problem. Ran out of gas when it said i had an eighth of a tank. No warning light or anything. Truck only has 2000 miles on it. Looks like im going to the dealer.

red68camino · September 1, 2004

Same thing happened to me on my 003 . Gauge wacked out at 18 K miles had the sending unit replaced and then Bam !! , at 20 K ,same problem . 2nd sending unit replaced ...No worries now though , Just traded it for a 04 2500 HD ....Which ROCKS !!! Might want to "press" the dealer to warranty it . Lots of people having this problem ......

Gone Pecan · September 2, 2004

I have a 2004 Silverado and so far I have not had a problem with my fuel gauge. But a few of my friends with earlier 2001, 2002 models are starting to have problems. About 3 months ago a Refinery down here in Louisiana had trouble with shipping gasoline that had a high sulfur content which is supposed to be deadly to fuel tank level sensing units. Supposedly the float or what ever the thing is, is silver coated and the sulphur destroys this coating. If not under warranty I hear that the fix is quite expensive ($500 to $700). Lots of lawsuits were filed down here in Louisiana. They say they know where all of the "BAD" gasoline was shipped and although it was produced by a name brand supplier it was also sold by other name brand suppliers under their own name. Obviously this is only one of the possible problems. Could just be a defective part or maybe ethanol or MBTE additives?

maximumrebel1 · September 2, 2004

If you do replace the sending unit I would suggest lifting the bed off rather than dropping the tank. We did this on my brothers 2001 4.8l Silverado when his fuel pump went out, and it was a lot easier than dropping the tank. You don't have to drain the gas out so it doesn't get messy. There are 6 or 8 bolts you take off from under the bed, then take the fuel line that runs to the tank where you fill it up off (can't think of the name). It seems like it would be harder than it was but it only took around an hour. Hope this helps if you do decide to lift the bed. Good luck fixing the problem.