Fuel gauge suddenly drops to E w/ low fuel light

SpreadHead · April 15, 2005

Having a strange problem with my 2000 Silverado, 5.3 V8

On several occasions in the last few weeks, I will be idling with the truck in "Park". I will notice that the low fuel light comes on and the gauge drops to Empty. No change in the engine performance. I have tried a couple of different things at that point. Turning the truck off, cranking it back up, the gauge might return to normal or not. If I just sit there it will return to normal after a minute or maybe a few. I got out one time and tightened the fuel cap and it returned to normal, don't know if that was the reason.

Any idea why this is happening and what the fis is?

Mark

Elwood 2000 · April 15, 2005

Others say here it is the fuel sending unit. Mine does the same thing and started a couple months ago. I now have 88k on my truck.

Some have said it is about $450 to have fixed at the dealership. For now, I am just watching my miles. When spring planting is over, I will probly try to fix it myself.

Shaggnasty · April 15, 2005

just got my fixed yesterday...it is the sending unit. Not sure how much since it was done under warranty (67 miles before it expired). Seems to be a fairly common problem.

496 CUBIC INCHES · April 15, 2005

IMO its the sending unit. My wifes Blazer started doing the same thing yours is,and the dealer said it was the sending unit. I asked how much to fix and they quoted me $1000.The sending unit/fuel pump was about $600 just for the part. They have to drop the tank,blah,blah,blah. I about crapped my pants. My wife keeps track of mileage by the odometer now.

kosb · April 15, 2005

I had the same problem with mine at about 80k it was the fuel sending unit I paid right under $ 500.00. I tried to watch my odometer but that stupid orange low fuel light would light up the whole truck at night. It drove me frickin crazy.

az'03Silverado · April 15, 2005

Is it hard to drop the tank? 'Cuz, you could probably get the part at a Carquest store or NAPA and change it out yo'seff if it's not a real chore to drop the tank. Has anybody done this that can ring in?

volfan · April 15, 2005

im still not sure if the sending unit and fuel pump come as one unit on the nbs trucks 99 and up my gauge is flaky to but i dont want to repace it if it is separated from the pump. unless of course it is one unit and then i may go ahead and have it fixed.does someone have a part# for this assy or could clarify if the sending unit and pump come together

99-2door · April 15, 2005

On the new body style trucks you can only buy the part at a dealership.

My uncle had a truck with the same problem. Also one of my friend's replaced their's because the pump quit. I took the 2 units and made one working one from them. The assembly will come apart and you can swap the pump or sensor only, but you can only buy them as a unit. Hopefully the aftermarket will step up like they did on the OBS trucks.

whtlhunter · April 16, 2005

. Part #89060640 fuel level sensor. WWW.GMPARTS DIRECT.COM $75.00

GMCTech · April 16, 2005

It is the level sensor and it is pretty simple to do.

If you have a couple of buddies to help you out, take the pick up bed off the truck assuming it is a pick up and not a yukon/suburban.

It sounds silly, but it is MUCH easier to take out the 8 bolts on the bed, the three screws on the filler neck behinnd the fuel door, and unplugging the rear harness. Then just lift the body and set it on the tires and back bumper.

Using the above method, we get them done in the shop in under 45 minutes start to finish. It will take you longer, because I'm guessing that you haven't had the good fortune of doing a hundred of them!!

Hope this helps.

volfan · April 16, 2005

you guys are the best with part #s and directions on how to do things!!!would almost like to try this myself but am a little hesitant but i would not care to pay a fair price for someone else to do it to have my fuel gauge working properly again but then again nowdays i usually fill up with more gas at a quarter of a tank than empty which its better on the fuel pump to keep more gas in the tank so the pump does not have to work as hard right !!!

99-2door · April 16, 2005

Glad to see the sensor is available now instead of having to buy the whole unit. I know tons of people that want this done, but didn't want to spend the huge $$$.