Erratic Gas Gauge Readings

[black rhino]

Was driving my old brute when the gas gauge shot up way past full. The gauge had been reading just under 1/2 (high gas prices and all) when it just took off. Do I have some electrical problem, sender problem, or gauge problem? Thanks for any thoughts or answers.

[ryank1]

Most likley you have a sender issue.

[Nytemare]

or the baffles in your tank fell apart and the fuel sloshing around hit your float and sent it to the full position. Seen this happen a few times.

[FASTOYZ]

M fuel gauge spikes to the full mark when I turn the ignition on & always "twitches" while truck is running. I've already changed the fuel pump/ sender & problem persists. So if there is another problem that these trucks experience I'd be interested to know also.

98 silverado K1500.

[ski5144]

Does the gauge return to "e" when ignition is off ?

[FASTOYZ]

Does the gauge return to "e" when ignition is off ?

Mine returns to what ever I have in the tank (actual level)1/2 3/4 etc...

[omegafiler]

I've seen that caused by either the sending unit (pump) or sometimes even just a bad gauge.

[black rhino]

I've seen that caused by either the sending unit (pump) or sometimes even just a bad gauge.

 

 

When I turn the key to off, the gauge does go back down. It also comes back down while I'm still driving. The gauge reads fine, spikes to way past full and then comes down after a few minutes. Real annoying

[Nytemare]

I just read that you have an 81. I was thinking newer trucks, I'll bet you have a ground wire issue. Your gonna have to pull the tank down and clean the mating surfaces, than find all the ground connection points for that gauge and clean them too. If its not this than you probably have a sender problem.

[chucks95ss]

I've also got a 98 z71. The fuel guage bounces around like crazy on startup and moves very quickly while running. It looks like it is sitting still but if you look at it closer it is moving really fast. Any other ideas?

[black rhino]

Thanks Aiden,

 

I'm going to clean up the grounds (electrically, not my yard) this weekend.

[tgroghan]

I too have a 2000 K2500 classic style and it has this problem, replaced the fuel pump twice and the problem persists. It reads accurately but twitches a few degrees to each side, not like it did before I replaced the pump and sender. I'll look at replacing the gauge as suggested

 

 

Thanks Aiden,

 

I'm going to clean up the grounds (electrically, not my yard) this weekend.

[SNARK]

Had the same problem 86 blazer, contacts on back of printed circut are not making a good contact. you have to remove the the gauge panel and remove the gas gauge.(be careful not to touch the the gauge face for it will remove the printing on the face) remove the clips that the gauge contacts go into and bend it ever so slightly to make a better contact with the circut board. This should solve it. DPS

[ryan_thompson87]

I had the exact same problem in my 87 it was the cab ground on the E-brake