Bouncing Fuel Gauge - WTF?

[vodapas]

Ok,

 

So, I love my truck (2001 Silverado 1500). But, there is one thing I would definitely like to fix about it. The fuel gauge does some weird things.

 

Basically it's very random, but consistently random if that makes any sense. When I get in and start the truck the fuel gague will jump bit by bit up to the current fuel level sometimes exceeding the fuel level but settling back down. Meanwhile the message center runs through it's normal checks. This is where it really starts acting up. With no real consistent pattern "Low Fuel" appears on the message center and the fuel gauge drops to empty. Sometimes warning in the message center will disapear and the fuel gauge will go back to normal level, sometimes it will do this if I hit the gas and other times I actually have to put the truck in park and then shift back to drive and when I accelerate it will go back to normal.

 

Originally I just thought it was just that the sensor was over-sensitive since I had less than a tank of gas. But, today I pretty well filled the tank ($50 worth) and it still did it the same thing.

 

I checked the manual to see if there was a way to reset the low fuel light and of course found nothing. So, I'm thinking maybe the sensor or relay from the float (or whatever modern vehicles use) in the tank is crapped out and needs replaced.

 

I would really appreciate any help anyone can provide. Definitely want to know I can count on my fuel gauge.

 

Thanks!

[Z71Adrenaline]

My other 2001 did the same thing. It would show LOW FUEL whenever you filled up for about 25 miles, then it would jump up to full and it would go to LOW FUEL whenever I would stop at a light or stop sign. Its really common in these trucks. It seems like I heard something about a recall on it a while back, so you may want to do some research on that. I'm sorry you've got a faulty gauge!

[asepgrad98]

The fuel sending unit in the gas tank is most likely bad. The cause is high sulfur content in gas and a poor design.

[dino688]

yea mine does the same, if i take a quick turn or go over a big bump, my gauge will go to E for a few minutes then come back up. I cope with it by knowing how much gas i filled it with.

[vodapas]

yea mine does the same, if i take a quick turn or go over a big bump, my gauge will go to E for a few minutes then come back up.  I cope with it by knowing how much gas i filled it with.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Yeah, I agree it's not such a big deal that I don't really know how much gas I have. But, eventually I'm looking to fix it so I can have complete trust in my fuel gauge.

 

As was contributed above it looks like it's the fuel sending unit or pigtail running from it that causes this problem.

 

So, it's not gonna be that big of deal to fix. Just need to decide which will be easier, removing the bed and working from the top or dropping the tank altogether.

 

Thanks for everyone's help.

[97chevy350]

I have a similar problem, though mine is a 97. It usually only does it around half tank. When i hit the brakes it will drop and then come back up when i accelerate. And it has a brand new sending unit and pump, only about 3 months old.