fuel gauge problem on 00 z71

[4x4chevyman]

anyone had there fuel gauge stop working

i am getting tired of guessing how much gas i have

and have heard it has happened on many of these year models

and it cost $400 to fix it by chaning the sensor(dropping and draining the tank,etc)

anyone know a simpler solution

[sgiangregorio]

This is a common, and recurring problem with these trucks. I have a 2002 that's had it replaced once under warranty. It's now been about 20,000 miles, and it needs another one. I asked the dealer, as I'm out of the warranty now, and they said it's about $700. Nice. Good job General!

[GM-Tech]

There are several TSB's on this issue. Sounds like they're selling you the whole fuel pump module whereas you only need the fuel level sensor, which is $100 or less I believe. Here's one TSB. It's difficult for me to maintain the formatting so the part number section is a mess and hard to figure out here.

 

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Cranks But No Start, Stall, Inaccurate/Incorrect Fuel Gauge Reading, No Fuel, Vehicle Is Out of Fuel and Fuel Gauge Reads Above Empty (Replace Fuel Level Sensor) #04-08-49-018D - (Dec 6, 2004)

 

2001-2004 Cadillac Trucks

 

1999-2004 Chevrolet and GMC Trucks

 

2004-2005 HUMMER H2

 

with Gasoline Engine (VINs Z, X, V, T, U, N, G -- RPOs LU3, LR4, LM7, LQ4, LQ9, L59 or L18)

 

Parts are currently available for vehicles with Variable Fuel (VIN Z -- RPO L59) vehicles. Please refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 04-06-04-012B or newer for Variable Fuel (VIN Z -- RPO L59) vehicles.

 

This bulletin is being revised to include information regarding Variable Fuel (VIN Z -- RPO L59) vehicles. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-08-49-018C (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).

 

Condition

Some customers may comment on the vehicle stalling and will not restart, vehicle ran out of fuel, vehicle appears to be out of fuel but the fuel gauge reads above empty. The fuel gauge may read 1/4 tank.

 

Cause

Contamination on the fuel sending card may cause inaccurate/incorrect fuel gauge readings.

 

Correction

Follow the service procedure below for diagnosis and repair of this concern.

 

Confirm that the vehicle is actually out of fuel. • If the vehicle is not out of fuel but Engine Cranks but Does Not Run, refer to the appropriate Service Information.

• If the vehicle is out of fuel and the gauge does not read empty, test the fuel gauge. Refer to the following information:

• Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative Single Tank (SI Document ID #850196)

• Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative Dual Tanks (SI Document ID #850195)

• Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative HUMMER H2 (SI Document ID #826250)

 

If testing reveals that the fuel gauge is operating correctly, replace the fuel sensor assembly and auxiliary tank fuel level sensor if equipped.

Replace the fuel level sensor. Refer to the following appropriate service information: • Fuel Level Sensor Replacement 4.8L and 5.3L Engines (SI Document ID #1332662)

• Fuel Level Sensor Replacement 6.0L Engine - Front Tank (SI Document ID #1333086)

• Fuel Level Sensor Replacement 6.0L Engine - Rear Tank (SI Document ID #1333087)

• 8.1L vehicles with front tank refer to Fuel Level Sensor Replacement Front Tank (SI Document ID #1333104)

• 8.1 L vehicles with rear tank refer to Fuel Level Sensor Replacement Rear Tank (SI Document ID #1333105)

• HUMMER H2 vehicles refer to Fuel Level Sensor Replacement (SI Document ID #861702)

 

Parts Information

Parts are in limited quantities. Please DO NOT order parts for stock.

 

Part Number

Description

 

89060635

Sensor Assembly, Aux Tank, Rear

 

2001-2003

 

360364 0353, Cab/Chassis, Reg. and Ext Cab

 

with LQ4 or L18 and minus NQZ (with aux fuel tank)

 

89060636

Sensor Assembly, Main Tank, Side

 

2001-2003

 

360364 0353, Cab/Chassis, Reg. and Ext Cab

 

with LQ4 or L18 and without K53 (robust fuel system)

 

89060637

Sensor Assembly, Main Tank, Side

 

2000-2003

 

159259 0636, C/K, Long Wheel Base Utility

 

with LM7 or LQ4 or LQ9 or L18 and without K53 (robust fuel system)

 

89060638

Sensor Assembly, Main Tank, Side

 

2000-2003

 

157 06, C/K, Short Wheel Base Utility

 

with LM7 or LQ4 or LQ9 or L18 and without K53 (robust fuel system)

 

89060640

Sensor Assembly, Main Tank, Side

 

1999-2003

 

100200300 034353, C/K, 2 Dr, 4 Dr and Ext Cab Pickup

 

with LU3 or LR4 or LM7 or LQ4 or LQ9 or L18 and -- K53 (without robust fuel system)

 

2004

 

100 0353, C/K, 2 Dr and Ext Cab

 

with LU3 and without K53 (robust fuel system)

 

89060642

Sensor Assembly, Main Tank, Rear

 

2000-2003

 

259 0636, C/K, Long Wheel Base Utility

 

with LM7 or LQ4 or LQ9 or L18 and without K53 (robust fuel system)

 

88965384

Sensor Assembly

 

2004-2005

 

HUMMER H2

 

 

Parts are expected to be available from GMSPO on December 17, 2004.

 

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

 

Labor Operation

Description

Labor Time

 

L1197

Sensor, Fuel Level (Tank Unit) - Replace

Use published labor operation time

 

 

 

 

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

 

 

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[mcreyaufmiller]

GM-Tech,

 

Thanks for all of the TSB's! Keep them coming! Although some people may try to repair the problems themselves, this will at least give the rest of us the information we need to properly talk to the dealerships to solve a problem if it is beyone our expertise.

[asilverblazer]

GM-Tech, 

 

Thanks for all of the TSB's!  Keep them coming!  Although some people may try to repair the problems themselves, this will at least give the rest of us the information we need to properly talk to the dealerships to solve a problem if it is beyone our expertise.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Sorry but... Welcome to the club.

When I fix my flaky gas gauge I'l move the bed back rather than drop the tank.

[Cranky1]

For 2 months my fuel gage would work some times, then every so often I would get a reading. When it did work, it would be fluctuating.

 

I went to my local GM dealer and I priced the fuel level sensor. The kid behind the parts counter told me try some GM tank cleaner before replacing the sensor, I thought for $12 why not! They said GM will not let them install a new tank sensor under warrenty until they tried 1 litre of this cleaner.

 

Well, it took about 10 miles or 2 hours after putting the cleaner in, I now have a constant fuel reading on the gage. After 190 it has not stuck or fluctuated.

 

It is a GM product, on my invoice it is called $cleaner. The part number is 89020804.

 

The kid also told me to add another litre of cleaner at my forth fill up and not before.

 

I hope I saved my self $500 in parts and labour.

[ken1mod]

Hey Cranky,

 

What brand of fuel have you been using?

 

Ken

[diverlloyd]

fuels nowadays have more sulfur compounds in them which are corrosive to fuel system components. The fuel pump, fuel level sensor, sender card, fuel lines and injectors are all at risk. You should stick to "top tier" gasolines (Chevron, Shell, Phillips/Conoco) because they have a higher percentage of protective additives. GM sells a product called Fuel System Treatment Plus (PN#88861011) that goes into the tank at every oil change and is designed to protect the fuel system. I got some from GM Parts Direct and have been using it from day one on my '06. Al ot of guys have had all kinds of fuel system problems because of this.

[Cranky1]

Hey Cranky,

 

What brand of fuel have you been using?

 

Ken

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I try to use Esso or Sunoco here in Ontario as much as possible. Three weeks ago while off the beaten path I got gas at this little run down station. The fuel gage was fluctuating but alway's working at this point. Well, when I went into pay, instead of chocolate bars and stuff at the counter, they had crack pipes and drug paraphenilia for sale. I just had a funny feeling.

 

A few days later while on a 800 mile road trip the check engine light came on. I found some one to read the code, it came up as miss fire 3,5,7. The only thing I could think of was water in the gas, being common rail fuel injection and every cylinder bank having it's own coil packs and the station I filled up at a few day's prior made sence.

 

So I got 2 litres of "water out" and my miss fire problem was cured. I think the "water out" contributed to my fuel gage problem as well.

 

The truck I had prior to this one was a K-2500 with the 6.5 TDI. I got bad fuel the same way, but this caused a fungus to grow through out my fuel system. You would think that I have learned from my prior mistakes, but not..

[Elwood 2000]

I bought the AC Delco part, pump, sending unit and all on ebay for $130 delivered to my door. I was short on time, so my local repair shop charged less than $100 to install it and my truck and it's fuel guage are fine.

 

I suggest looking at ebay.