Another Fuel Gauge Problem

**SilverGT** · 02-08-2009

I know this is quite common on the Grand Prix's and everyone says the Fuel sending unit. I have searched on a few forums but didn't seem to find someone with the exact same problem and was hoping someone on here might know.

So on to the problem, I have a 2001 Grand Prix GT. The fuel gauge will read correctly no matter how much fuel is in the tank but ONLY if the car is in park. It seems the gauge will sometimes move slightly when I push on the brakes or when I put in into drive. Once I start driving it will slowly hop back up to the top. Then when I park the car, and wait a few minutes it will go down to them correct level.

Is there a chance its an electrical problem, or is it still the sending unit?

Thanks

**Blown97** · 02-08-2009

Hmm that is an interesting problem....It could be a sending unit. Contact Ed Morad and get on from him and throw it in. Seeing as how it is common might be a good thing to try.

**Iron Indian** · 02-08-2009

I know this is quite common on the Grand Prix's and everyone says the Fuel sending unit.

Really? I have two high mileage GTPs i've owned for years and I have yet to have this issue on this particular platform. I haven't heard of it on ClubGP from what I can recall either. Oh well....

**SilverGT** · 02-13-2009

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

Really? I have two high mileage GTPs i've owned for years and I have yet to have this issue on this particular platform. I haven't heard of it on ClubGP from what I can recall either. Oh well....

That was a fairly meaningless post. I have been able to find 5-6 threads on this problem on most GP forums. But I guess I should have just said the Fuel Sending Unit is usually the common failure point when it comes to the fuel gauge acting up.

I was just looking for more input.

**02BlueGT** · 02-13-2009

Sounds almost like a ground issue, just in case, check the connections at the battery

**DanGTP** · 02-13-2009

I ended up re-grounding my sending unit a few years back and it fixed one of my problems until the circuit board decided to unsolder itself from one of the wires...

Pop your pump access cover off in the trunk, find the ground wire and tap it. Ground that new wire to the body on some fresh metal. I ended up using a looped crimp-on end and sliding it over one of the studs for the cover. Make sure you sand away some paint so you get good contact, though. Then, put the cover back on and, hopefully, you'll be good.

There's also a possibility you could have a short with the signal wire touching a ground somewhere. A multimeter and a lot of time will find that if it's an issue.

**SilverGT** · 02-13-2009

Thats a good idea, thanks Dan. I should have thought of that.

Ill try to reground it and see how it goes!

**SilverGT** · 02-14-2009

Where is the fuel sending unit grounded from the factory? And which wire(s) did you tap into?

Im trying to understand what you did. Did you get rid of the factory ground all together (cut the wire and add a crimp connector) or are you grounding it in two places?

Specifics would be awesome

**DanGTP** · 02-14-2009

The black wire coming out of the plug is the ground ( I think there was only one) is what you're looking for. I just tapped into it with a wire tap, so it's grounded in two places.

**SilverGT** · 02-14-2009

Well when I looked, there are two plugs. One for the pump and one for the sending unit I assume. Three wires coming out of the one plug, and four out of the other. The one with 4 wires has two larger black wires on it.

**DanGTP** · 02-14-2009

Umm... I guess I don't remember that much detail. I would guess it doesn't matter which ground you tap? That may be a trial and error thing if it matters which one makes the difference.

**Iron Indian** · 02-15-2009

Originally Posted by SilverGT

That was a fairly meaningless post. I have been able to find 5-6 threads on this problem on most GP forums. But I guess I should have just said the Fuel Sending Unit is usually the common failure point when it comes to the fuel gauge acting up.

I was just looking for more input.

I'm glad I could contribute.

I thought it was very funny that you said quote "I know this is quite common on the Grand Prix's and everyone says the Fuel sending unit". I was calling your bluff that all man. Don't get your panties in a wad. You know more about GPs than me I guess LOL, right.

Just making an honest point, I haven't really heard of this problem (much if any) on this car despite what you've said on your vast GP knowledge. The way you worded it you made it sound like its a very commmon, everyone has it type of problem. I've been around awhile and happen to own one GP with 143,000 miles and another with 165,000 miles. I'm not starting a fight, just giving you some facts I got, thats all.

**SilverGT** · 02-16-2009

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

I'm glad I could contribute.

I thought it was very funny that you said quote "I know this is quite common on the Grand Prix's and everyone says the Fuel sending unit". I was calling your bluff that all man. Don't get your panties in a wad. You know more about GPs than me I guess LOL, right.

Just making an honest point, I haven't really heard of this problem (much if any) on this car despite what you've said on your vast GP knowledge. The way you worded it you made it sound like its a very commmon, everyone has it type of problem. I've been around awhile and happen to own one GP with 143,000 miles and another with 165,000 miles. I'm not starting a fight, just giving you some facts I got, thats all.

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

Fuel level sender. Replace it. Yes it's a common problem.

^^He actually states this in a couple threads.

Originally Posted by cherm45

After using the search function, I have found the sending units are common to go bad.

Is the sending unit part of the complete fuel pump module?

TIA

Personally, I think you should save the sarcasm. All I was trying to say was if you dont have anything helpful to say, why say anything? If I wanted to know who has and hasnt had the problem Id start a poll in a General Discussion and not post in a Tech Discussion, right? Knowing your cars have not had the problem doesnt help me any.

And no, I do not have vast GP knowledge because it is infact my winter beater.

Lets not continue a flame war?

**BrianP** · 09-03-2009

02 Grand Prix GT, 156,000+ miles - I have the same or similar problem with my fuel guage. Guage always reads FULL, except when parked on an incline (front higher than rear, like parked in driveway), and I think with the engine not running. I am strongly considering replacing the fuel sending unit, but what is this about the grouding issue? Can anyone else confirm if the grounding fix worked?

**Liquifire** · 09-03-2009

Originally Posted by SilverGT

Threads I found on this site alone:
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/f...blems-692.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/f...razy-9143.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/g...blem-7368.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/w...e-not-665.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f81/g...esnt-6840.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f17/0...auge-9259.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f71/fuel-gauge-4469.html
http://www.grandprixforums.net/f17/g...uckk-1127.html

Quote from other members about the fuel gauge/sending unit:

^^He actually states this in a couple threads.

Personally, I think you should save the sarcasm. All I was trying to say was if you dont have anything helpful to say, why say anything? If I wanted to know who has and hasnt had the problem Id start a poll in a General Discussion and not post in a Tech Discussion, right? Knowing your cars have not had the problem doesnt help me any.

And no, I do not have vast GP knowledge because it is infact my winter beater.

Lets not continue a flame war?

I am assuming that this is fixed? Was it a bad ground or what did you find?

**carol45** · 06-13-2012

I have a 2001 grand prix se, I am having the same problem, my gas gauge is flucuating, not sure how much gas is in it, can any one tell me how to fix it.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 06-13-2012

You need to research your problem.

This topic has been covered many times over.

The solution is simple, just takes some time to do it.

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