[Bowtie_BadGirl]

the fuel gauge in my 01 silverado just started acting up. one minute its fine and the next it just starts going haywire. im thinking it's either the gauge itself or the wiring, don't know for sure though. anybody have any other ideas?

 

[Glenn3451]

probably a bad fuel level sensor. very common for these trucks. its caused by the alcohol in the fuel that corrodes the contacts causing the gauge to drop off and pick up at different levels

 

[DarkCharisma]

Have you noticed anything funny with the other gauges? While I haven't heard it affecting '01's, you may be having a stepper motor problem.

probably a bad fuel level sensor. very common for these trucks. its caused by the alcohol in the fuel that corrodes the contacts causing the gauge to drop off and pick up at different levels

This is very likely.

 

[Southern Pride]

I just took out the cluster on my 95 to clear the needles, and I put it back in and everything works fine except my fuel goes straight to empty when it's in there and secure. If I back it off a little it will work but it's impossible to secure it in that working position sooo now I have clear needles and a gas gauge that sits below empty. I was wondering if there was some correlation between our problems.

All I can think to do is buy another cluster. I wouldn't know how to check and see if just that gauge is broke because it all runs into that electrical film crap on the back that connects to the dash connector. I'm so lost.

 

[wyoming_hunter]

i am having the same problem with my 03 i just got a new instrument cluster in nov. of 2010 and now the gas gauge is about a quarter off but some times is on, i know gas mileage is great but i know i aint getting 100 miles with out my needle moving lol

 

[Lusso22]

Sender unit :imo

Mine has been doing it for the past 6-7 years ow:

I am finally about to break down and replace the whole fuel pump :biggrin:

 

[SSplaytoy]

Either stepper motor but prob the sensor. Either you can drop the tank and replace it or watch your mileage so you know when to get gas

 

[jrluz14]

i am having the same problem with my 03 i just got a new instrument cluster in nov. of 2010 and now the gas gauge is about a quarter off but some times is on, i know gas mileage is great but i know i aint getting 100 miles with out my needle moving lol

Same issue with mine in my 03. I also got a rebuilt cluster. Once it gets a hair below a 1/4 tank and I shut it off then start it back up it will say either 1/8 or empty when it just had a different reading before I shut it off. I have no clue why it does that but being a completely rebuilt cluster I don't think my steppers bad. :shrug:

 

[1MeanC3]

My 2001 does this as well, has for almost the entire time (4+ years) I've owned it. Faulty sending unit. I always know pretty well how much fuel is in my truck, its the bright yellow LOW FUEL light that bothers me, obnoxious at night. I hate to replace the entire fuel pump if it's working properly, because the replacements never last.

 

[jdandchevy4me]

my replacement fuel pump hasnt had any issues so far, been in there for 3 years now.

 

[stone150]

I had the exact same issue, I replace the pump and sending unit. It was ok for a year or so, now it just dosen't read quite accurate, but it is better then it was.

 

[Rollingbowtie01]

I want to say I'm 90% sure it's the sending unit. I have had my fuel needle work great then all of a sudden at idle it goes to empty and back up again. I know the fuel pump will eventually give out but till then I won't change the whole unit. Doubt it's your stepper motor.

 

[Twentyhurtz]

same problem here in my 2000 sierra, bought the truck about 3 months ago, it's pretty stable down to about 1/4 tank, then its everywhere.. but not recently it takes about 5 seconds for my truck to start, was told on these truck the pressure regulator is at the pump too, so i may as well just change it all out soon.

 

[Glenn3451]

fuel pressure regulator is located next to the fuel rail,

sourced google for the image

there is however a check valve in the fuel pump that keeps pressure in the line for the next time it starts, if that pressure leaks out when you turn the key it has to build pressure first. to test what you should try is turning the key to the on position. wait for a minute or two (you should hear a motor running, that is the fuel pump building pressure) then turn the key and if it starts up its a bad check.

 

[[email protected]]

You can replace the sensor without having to replace the pump

 

[scottbullock]

It may be a circuit in the dash panel was broken.

 

[StrokerAce03]

Its the fuel level sending unit. Mine did the same thing, the fuel pump doesn't need to be changed but a most places try to sell you the entire assembly, just replace the sending unit and be done with it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAN...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[Bowtie_BadGirl]

i appreciate everybody's insight but i won't be able to touch my truck for about another month and a half and it's been doing this for about 6 months, do you think it will be fine until then or will it just cause even more problems?

 

[1MeanC3]

The fuel SENDING UNIT, and the fuel PRESSURE SENSOR, are two different things, correct? I ask because my truck is throwing a code for faulty fuel pressure sensor - giving me a CEL just in time for annual inspection...

My sending unit is/has been bad for 4+ years now - so I'd assume they're separate parts, considering the CEL just came on.

If they're separate parts, and I have to drop the tank anyways (for the pressure sensor), would it make sense to throw a new sending unit in at the same time for $15?

Also, the Sender linked on eBay above... It claims to work for Yukon/Yukon XL's w/ a 5.3 - but will it work for 6.0l Sierra's?

 

[Glenn3451]

im going out on a limb, but i think the sender unit does the level of fuel in the tank, the pressure is telling you line pressure after the fuel pump? (could be pressure after the pressure regulator which will drop it to about 58psi).