gas gauge dead

1775 Views 19 Replies 12 Participants Last post by bcubed, Jul 29, 2007

bigredmudder

Discussion Starter · Jul 8, 2007

I replaced my fuel pump exactly a year ago on the 4th because I had a bad sending unit so i just replaced the whole thing so i wouldnt have to screw with it again. Sure enough exactly a year later im driving my truck and the gas gauge just falls to empty and will not move.
Before i replaced my pump the first time, the gauge would sweep back and fourth while stopped so i hope its the gauge so i dont have to replace the pump again...
What do you guys think? The truck idles fine, doesnt stall at all like it use to. My gauge is just always on empty. Do i need a new cluster or what?

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

TheChronic

· #2 · Jul 8, 2007

I doubt it's your cluster. Those sending units just plain suck.

That happened to me before, I replaced my pump once and it fixed the behavior of the gage for a while. But a couple years later, it is starting to act up again.

It did this on my stock cluster, and it didn't stop when I put the escalade cluster in.

The only thing I have noticed is that whenever I would add ANY kind of gas additive (FI cleaner, BG stuff, etc.) it seemed to damage that sender. I since have not added anything to my gas and it has remained at a halfway-functional state.

Stealthdump

· #3 · Jul 8, 2007

....I can change a pump and sending unit in less than 20 minutes. Of course I have the cheater tool that removes and replaces the bed in one minute at the flick of a switch.

bigredmudder

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 8, 2007

Stealthdump said:
....I can change a pump and sending unit in less than 20 minutes. Of course I have the cheater tool that removes and replaces the bed in one minute at the flick of a switch.

thanks for the help lol but im not that lucky. i had to get 4 of my buddies to come over on their 4th of july last year to help me lift the bed off. it seemed like a better idea than trying to drop the damn tank. it wasnt too bad. i just dont wanna do it again.
is there any way to figure out exactly what the problem in my fuel system is before i buy a new sending unit?

TheChronic

· #5 · Jul 8, 2007

There's no problem in your fuel system. The sending units just suck.

wyatt_450

· #6 · Jul 8, 2007

When my gas gauge acts up, I put the truck in neutral and the gas gauge goes back to where it should be in my truck.

bigredmudder

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 8, 2007

ya thats what i use to do but it doesnt work lol. i guess its time for a new sending unit.

i dont know why GM can't figure out that they need to make their pumps last longer. my brother use to have to beat on his tank to get his OBS to start sometimes.

Covah

· #8 · Jul 9, 2007

Gm gauges, and all included in their function, blows. after about 50K they go nuts.

bigredmudder

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 9, 2007

well i stole the cluster out of my brother's tahoe tonight and plugged it in mine to see if it was the gauge or in fact the sending unit...his cluster's fuel gauge didnt work in my truck either. sounds like i have to replace the sending unit...

GMracer

· #10 · Jul 9, 2007

you must be running your truck low on gas, theyre cooled by the fuel in the tank, try to keep it above 1/4 tank and you'll be fine... if you're low and take a corner exposing the pump to air it has nothing cooling it, couple of those can burn one right out

nightrider

· #11 · Jul 9, 2007

wyatt_450 said:
When my gas gauge acts up, I put the truck in neutral and the gas gauge goes back to where it should be in my truck.

my 00' gmc sierra does the exact same thing, the guage jumps all over the place but when i throw it in neutral it goes to where it should be. why does putting it in neutral correct the guage? and i always have at least a 1/4 tank in mine. guess i will have to get on that and fix it. how much is the part?

Bearcatz24

· #12 · Jul 14, 2007

Make sure you cleant he whole tank out good,the dirt and fuel nasties get on the magnetic strip of the sending unti and mess it up. Oh and make sure you get a good brand of pump not an off brand.Delco ftw...

bcubed

· #13 · Jul 19, 2007

Mine just started jumping all over the place .. I did not try the nuetral thing but will .... I have a little more than a half tank .. and it will move around and go to full, then back down and repeat ....

Also, truck has gotten hard to start, you have to give it some gas or it will just sit and spin, but I used to be able to just put the key in and turn and it cranked after a turn or two ... could this be a clogged filter, or a fuel pump going bad?

el semental

· #14 · Jul 19, 2007

bcubed said:
Mine just started jumping all over the place .. I did not try the nuetral thing but will .... I have a little more than a half tank .. and it will move around and go to full, then back down and repeat ....

Also, truck has gotten hard to start, you have to give it some gas or it will just sit and spin, but I used to be able to just put the key in and turn and it cranked after a turn or two ... could this be a clogged filter, or a fuel pump going bad?

put a new filter on, only $10 if the problem still there then a good pump from ebay $120 (which i bought last year) will fix that problem. btw check your plugs as well and maybe some seafoam?

bcubed

· #15 · Jul 19, 2007

el semental said:
put a new filter on, only $10 if the problem still there then a good pump from ebay $120 (which i bought last year) will fix that problem. btw check your plugs as well and maybe some seafoam?

Good ideas, my truck only has 54,000 miles but it is 7 years old .. so I thought about going through it, new plugs, plug wires, new fuel filter (might have been replaced before by oil change place) .. I have seafoamed other vehicles, but not this one yet, might be worth a shot.

Once its running it is fine, and strong .. just gotten a little hard to start.

DWright

· #16 · Jul 19, 2007

I have the exact same problem, have for a while now. It'll work correctly I would say 60% of the time. I just have to go by my mileage. Is it possible to replace the sending unit itself or do you have to replace the sending unit and pump? I have never gotten a clear answer on this. Any part numbers for a 5.3 2001 Sierra?

killerado

· #17 · Jul 19, 2007

my truck does the same thing. it will work fine when the tanks is above 1/4 tank, but any lower and it jumps around.

wyatt_450 said:
When my gas gauge acts up, I put the truck in neutral and the gas gauge goes back to where it should be in my truck.

i used to be able to do that and it fixed it but now its to the point it only works sometimes.

Duda said:
...Is it possible to replace the sending unit itself or do you have to replace the sending unit and pump? I have never gotten a clear answer on this. Any part numbers for a 5.3 2001 Sierra?

wanna know the same thing. i've been told its only the sending units that are shit not the pumps.

el semental

· #18 · Jul 19, 2007

killerado said:
my truck does the same thing. it will work fine when the tanks is above 1/4 tank, but any lower and it jumps around.

i used to be able to do that and it fixed it but now its to the point it only works sometimes.

wanna know the same thing. i've been told its only the sending units that are shit not the pumps.

as far as i know it comes all together. i replaced mine last year.

DWright

· #19 · Jul 20, 2007

Part number? :think: Thanks man

bcubed

· #20 · Jul 29, 2007

Dammit, got in my truck tonight and the gas guage read empty, Low Fuel light came on .... sat there about 45 seconds, finally it moved to half a tank ....

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

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