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Fuel gauge vibration

vindaloo

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vindaloo Enthusiast

vindaloo

Posted
Posted

Ok, I did all sorts of searches and read through many threads where people's fuel gauges would do some bizarre things. However my situation is a little different:

 

1999 Tahoe, 2 door 4x4

 

The gauge does move as I would expect as the fuel level drops. However the needle itself bounces back and forth VERY quickly by about 1-2 mm in each direction. It happens so quickly that the needle itself is blurry. Anyone else seen something like this?

 

Thanks guys,

-colin

BowTieDude Enthusiast

BowTieDude

Posted
Posted

My Mother's '98 Astro is doing the exact same thing! Gauge reads the fuel level properly, but vibrates like mad. The first time that it was doing it when I was driving I thought my eyes were strained or something. Does your gage flip around violently when the key is first turned on? Hers flips completely out of the range then returns to where it's supposed to be, but starts vibrating very fast. Don't know what's wrong, I kinda figured just a bad gauge. At least you know that someone else is having the same problem too, wish I knew the answer.

rdnkcpa Enthusiast

rdnkcpa

Posted
Posted
My Mother's '98 Astro is doing the exact same thing! Gauge reads the fuel level properly, but vibrates like mad. The first time that it was doing it when I was driving I thought my eyes were strained or something. Does your gage flip around violently when the key is first turned on? Hers flips completely out of the range then returns to where it's supposed to be, but starts vibrating very fast. Don't know what's wrong, I kinda figured just a bad gauge. At least you know that someone else is having the same problem too, wish I knew the answer.

 

 

 

 

My wife's 99 Astro does it as well. The gauge worked properly up until the fuel pump died and was replaced. The replacement pump assembly also includes the sending unit for the gauge. I suspect the new sending unit is not sync'd up properly with the gauge. My father (retired master mechanic) told me years ago when you replaced a sending unit you also had to replace the gauge so they worked properly. But this was from eon's ago.

vindaloo Enthusiast

vindaloo

Posted
  • Author
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Does your gage flip around violently when the key is first turned on? Hers flips completely out of the range then returns to where it's supposed to be, but starts vibrating very fast.

 

 

 

Yes, when I start it up the needle goes way beyond F and then comes back to the right level and starts vibrating. I filled it up for the first time yesterday (just got it a week ago) and with a full tank the needle is way past F and in addition to the vibration it was also fluctuating between 'way past full' and 'F' if that makes any sense. I'm a little hesitant to trust this gauge now. It was just hitting the orange "low fuel" bar and when I filled it up it only took 23 gallons, so there was still 7 gallons in there. Very odd...

Jim2002Z71 Enthusiast

Jim2002Z71

Posted
Posted
Does your gage flip around violently when the key is first turned on? Hers flips completely out of the range then returns to where it's supposed to be, but starts vibrating very fast.

 

 

 

Yes, when I start it up the needle goes way beyond F and then comes back to the right level and starts vibrating. I filled it up for the first time yesterday (just got it a week ago) and with a full tank the needle is way past F and in addition to the vibration it was also fluctuating between 'way past full' and 'F' if that makes any sense. I'm a little hesitant to trust this gauge now. It was just hitting the orange "low fuel" bar and when I filled it up it only took 23 gallons, so there was still 7 gallons in there. Very odd...

 

 

 

 

Sounds more like the gauge sending unit is bad...GM blames this on bad fuel...they claim their magic fuel additive ($23.99) from the dealer will fix the problem...you can get same thing from parts store...Chevron Techron PLUS...make sure you get the PLUS as it states it will fix/provent this problem. I ran 1 bottle through my tank and it did help the problem...but not fixed...then I dropped the fuel tank took out the sensor and cleaned it and reinstalled...took less than 2 hours...I also "Bent" the float arm so now the gauge doesn't sit on full until you drive 150 miles...very accurate...want a picture...send me a note...

vindaloo Enthusiast

vindaloo

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Sounds more like the gauge sending unit is bad...GM blames this on bad fuel...they claim their magic fuel additive ($23.99) from the dealer will fix the problem...you can get same thing from parts store...Chevron Techroline(sp) PLUS...make sure you get the PLUS as it states it will fix/provent this problem. I ran 1 bottle through my tank and it did help the problem...but not fixed...then I dropped the fuel tank took out the sensor and cleaned it and reinstalled...took less than 2 hours...I also "Bent" the float arm so now the gauge doesn't sit on full until you drive 150 miles...very accurate...want a picture...send me a note...

 

 

 

 

Jim,

Thanks for the info! I guess I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one experiencing this. If you could send pics, that would be great.

-Colin

Jim2002Z71 Enthusiast

Jim2002Z71

Posted
Posted
Sounds more like the gauge sending unit is bad...GM blames this on bad fuel...they claim their magic fuel additive ($23.99) from the dealer will fix the problem...you can get same thing from parts store...Chevron Techroline(sp) PLUS...make sure you get the PLUS as it states it will fix/provent this problem. I ran 1 bottle through my tank and it did help the problem...but not fixed...then I dropped the fuel tank took out the sensor and cleaned it and reinstalled...took less than 2 hours...I also "Bent" the float arm so now the gauge doesn't sit on full until you drive 150 miles...very accurate...want a picture...send me a note...

 

 

 

 

Jim,

Thanks for the info! I guess I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one experiencing this. If you could send pics, that would be great.

-Colin

 

 

 

 

Pictures on their way...

good luck..

vindaloo Enthusiast

vindaloo

Posted
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Jim2002Z71,

 

I am having this same problem in my 1999 Yukon as well. Could you send me those pictures too? Thanks a million!

 

I PM'ed you my e-mail address.

 

 

 

 

Ok, sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I just noticed you're from Utica. I went to Hamilton College, so upstate NY brings back fond memories :puke: I was a DJ at 96.9WOUR for a while too....ahhh, good times.

HotRodCarts Enthusiast

HotRodCarts

Posted
Posted

I had the same problem with my wifes 97 Astro Van. When the fuel pump went out I figured the new pump/sending unit would correct the problem.

I picked up the pump and when I opened the box there was a new plug with short wires to replace the electrical connection on the pump. After carfully inspecting the original connector I saw no signs of heat or corrosion on it so I didnt change it. After installing the pump the guage did the same thing. I dropped the tank again and installed the plug and wires that came with the new pump and them problem was fixed.

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