Thread: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty.

Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1 Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    30
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Like the title says this just happened 20 minutes ago. We filled the tank with fuel and drove away and within 3 miles the fuel needle was floating between a half tank and full. The message center is doing the same thing it goes to 498 miles to empty to 187 miles to empty to 367 miles to empty. I called our mechanic who answered his phone and told me the fuel level sensor is bad. I read somewhere that there is a sensor in the fuel pump and the whole pump needs to be replaced but our mechanic said its the fuel level sensor and said the part is $130 and he grand total with part and labor he is charging us $195. I just want to get your opinions before I have him replace the wrong part. Thanks guys!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Rogers, MN
    Posts
    21,022
    Thanks (Received)
    21
    Likes (Received)
    45
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    he is right, its called the fuel level sensor, but its not really the sensor that goes bad, its the fingers the drag across the sensor as the float moves up and down. The finger wear off over time and thats the issue you now have. The part is only like 18 bucks off ebay and you can do it yourself if your a little handy.

    there are a few threads on this topic and some video's on youtube of a guy doing one in his bonneville, which is almost exactly the same as the grand prix, maybe 1-2 differences.

    SMGPFC Member #1
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    30
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Great! thanks alot. I forgot to mention he said he will take the gas tank out which is why im not going to mess with it.

    P.S fivefingerdeathpunch Her car is missing that front license plate cover that says pontiac so there is just a big hole there and it looks tacky so where can I get one in silver?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Rogers, MN
    Posts
    21,022
    Thanks (Received)
    21
    Likes (Received)
    45
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    There is no need to have him drop the fuel tank, if you open the middle pass-through door in the back seat, lift the carpet up and you will see the access door to the fuel pump, its a little tight if you got really big hands, but its fairly simple to do.


    As for the plate filler, I bought it off of another member here on this site. You can see if a dealership sells them but they will charge alot for one. Your best bet is to try and find one for sale on here or even ebay.

    SMGPFC Member #1
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    GXP Level Member txslow6's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    2,652
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Click the link in my sig. I have some pictures of when I replaced my fuel pump. You will see the access panel and float etc.
    85 Corvette
    01 TA
    03 Z06
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    GT Level Member AdamBall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Wausau, WI
    Posts
    450
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    PONTIAC Front License Plate Cover - GPEXT - PFYC.comor the plate filler if you wanna spend 60 bucks and still have to get it painted.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    1
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Thank God for this forum, I was fixing to go buy an instrument cluster and change it out. thanks to u dudes i'll do this!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    kansas
    Posts
    3
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    where is this diy link i am having the same issue with my fuel gauge... thanks
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: Full tank of fuel gauge floats between full and empty. 
    It's Slow LS1GTP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Clarkston, MI
    Posts
    708
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. Gas Gauge Not reading right-goes to empty
    By fixit10101 in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-07-2011, 12:33 AM
  2. gas gauge floats?
    By Verry8806 in forum Introductions/Noob Questions
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-10-2010, 10:16 PM
  3. better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full
    By azmattaz06 in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-07-2010, 09:53 AM
  4. Top of LIM full of oil
    By BDEGhost in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-05-2010, 11:11 PM
  5. gas gauge stuck on full
    By 94GTRoyalty in forum 3.4L V6 (LQ1) DOHC
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-13-2008, 02:10 PM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •