fuel sensor replacement?

brady · January 11, 2007

I have a stock 2001 Duramax 2500 HD diesel and have found that the fuel level sensor that is inside the fuel tank is bad. When my gage reads about 1/2 tank the gage pegs empty and the low fuel light comes on, then when I fill the tank everything goes back to normal, intil is use enough fuel to get the gage back to 1/2 and then it starts over again. My question is, If a shadetree mechanic tackles this task by themself, would it be easier to drop the fuel tank or raise the truck bed to get at this sensor that is inside the tank?? Pro's and Con's either way?

95Sierra2500 · January 11, 2007

It really depends on the equipment on hand. With a lift available to lift the box, it's easier to go that route. It's only a few bolts and a couple wiring connections and the box will lift right off. It's much nicer than working on your back, and you don't have to fight with fuel lines and the tank. If you don't have a lift you're fairly limited to dropping the tank, which is a pain with an empty tank, much less if it is more than a quarter full. You have to undo the straps and support the tank, then start dropping it. As it comes down, you have to disconnect the wiring and fuel lines, and sometimes they don't give you enough slack to make it easy. Putting it back isn't exactly easy either.

JOE2003 · January 11, 2007

It really depends on the equipment on hand. With a lift available to lift the box, it's easier to go that route. It's only a few bolts and a couple wiring connections and the box will lift right off. It's much nicer than working on your back, and you don't have to fight with fuel lines and the tank. If you don't have a lift you're fairly limited to dropping the tank, which is a pain with an empty tank, much less if it is more than a quarter full. You have to undo the straps and support the tank, then start dropping it. As it comes down, you have to disconnect the wiring and fuel lines, and sometimes they don't give you enough slack to make it easy. Putting it back isn't exactly easy either.

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I WOULD JUST LIFT THE BED ON DRIVER SIDE LOOSEN PASS SIDE BOLTS SO IT WONT SLIDE WHEN YOU LIFT IT IT ONLY TOOK ME 1.5 HOURS TO CHANGE MY FUEL PUMP THAT WAY BLOCKED IT WITH 4 OR MORE STACKED 4X4'S BOARDS

tcas1355 · January 12, 2007

I'm having this same problem, except my needle is dropping down when the tank is full, or if I idle for a couple minutes. Is this any indication of the fuel pump going as well?

95Sierra2500 · January 12, 2007

It really depends on the equipment on hand. With a lift available to lift the box, it's easier to go that route. It's only a few bolts and a couple wiring connections and the box will lift right off. It's much nicer than working on your back, and you don't have to fight with fuel lines and the tank. If you don't have a lift you're fairly limited to dropping the tank, which is a pain with an empty tank, much less if it is more than a quarter full. You have to undo the straps and support the tank, then start dropping it. As it comes down, you have to disconnect the wiring and fuel lines, and sometimes they don't give you enough slack to make it easy. Putting it back isn't exactly easy either.

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I WOULD JUST LIFT THE BED ON DRIVER SIDE LOOSEN PASS SIDE BOLTS SO IT WONT SLIDE WHEN YOU LIFT IT IT ONLY TOOK ME 1.5 HOURS TO CHANGE MY FUEL PUMP THAT WAY BLOCKED IT WITH 4 OR MORE STACKED 4X4'S BOARDS

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I still wouldn't trust this. It's possible but I don't recommend it, since the chances of bumping the truck too hard and knocking the bed down increase dramatically.

icecoldtexan · January 12, 2007

I have a stock 2001 Duramax 2500 HD diesel and have found that the fuel level sensor that is inside the fuel tank is bad. When my gage reads about 1/2 tank the gage pegs empty and the low fuel light comes on, then when I fill the tank everything goes back to normal, intil is use enough fuel to get the gage back to 1/2 and then it starts over again. My question is, If a shadetree mechanic tackles this task by themself, would it be easier to drop the fuel tank or raise the truck bed to get at this sensor that is inside the tank?? Pro's and Con's either way?

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I tied my bed off to a tree limb and hoisted it up, drove the truck from under it and replaced the sending unit on my fuel pump assembly. Total job took a couple hours.

ssjeff · January 12, 2007

I have a stock 2001 Duramax 2500 HD diesel and have found that the fuel level sensor that is inside the fuel tank is bad. When my gage reads about 1/2 tank the gage pegs empty and the low fuel light comes on, then when I fill the tank everything goes back to normal, intil is use enough fuel to get the gage back to 1/2 and then it starts over again. My question is, If a shadetree mechanic tackles this task by themself, would it be easier to drop the fuel tank or raise the truck bed to get at this sensor that is inside the tank?? Pro's and Con's either way?

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i just replaced my fuel pump on my 2000. with help from others i tilted the bed up on drivers side. i took all 8 bolts out and disconnected the wires. now that i had done it i would have just taken the drivers side 4 bolts out and run the passengers almost all the way out to pivot the bed. i propped it up with 3 4x4's

ChevyTech007 · January 13, 2007

The bed can be lifted on the drivers side as mentioned. Go slow and be sure to put something between the bed and frame before getting under the bed. I use a battery but 4X4s would work. All I can say is go slow and be careful.

GSXR_RCR · January 13, 2007

I just did this on wednesday, just called my neighbors and told them they owe me favors and theyhelped take the bed off. Changed my pump and while it was off i addressed a few areas that were beginning to rust and undercoated the frame. I also took some semi-flat black spray paint and painted the entire rear portion of the frame. It looked factory fres then i put the bed back on. Now it looks clean and all is working correctly. By doing this with the bed off now no one can tell i touched it all. Just mask off the areas and cober the bed thats nearby with a tarp or drop cloth.

brady · January 13, 2007

I just did this on wednesday, just called my neighbors and told them they owe me favors and theyhelped take the bed off. Changed my pump and while it was off i addressed a few areas that were beginning to rust and undercoated the frame. I also took some semi-flat black spray paint and painted the entire rear portion of the frame. It looked factory fres then i put the bed back on. Now it looks clean and all is working correctly. By doing this with the bed off now no one can tell i touched it all. Just mask off the areas and cober the bed thats nearby with a tarp or drop cloth.

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asilverblazer · January 15, 2007

Anyone try replacing a fuel pump on a truck with a body lift? Just curoius if it gives enough clearance, with out removing the bed.

95Sierra2500 · January 15, 2007

Unless you had greater than 12" of body lift I wouldn't think you'd gain enough clearance. The problem is that when you take out the snap ring that holds the pump in the tank, the newer style pumps will pop up (they're spring loaded), then you have to lift it and tilt it...I just wouldn't think there'd be enough room...It would probably give you enough room to disconnect everything before dropping the tank if you were going that route.