Thread: Fluctuating gas gauge problem!

What could be causing my gas guage to fluctuate? I will fill it up to say a half tank, I pull in my driveway and it will go up to saying its Full. Then next time I leave it will go down to half, back to full and then down to empty before it goes back to where its supposed to be. Any ideas what my problem would be? I have an extended warranty that came with the car when I bought it but its pretty picky on what it covers. I was hoping to get some ideas before having to take it in.

Is your driveway flat? or slanted?

My gas gauge is acting up to, it goes down when im in park or not moving.

Originally Posted by nikkigpgt00

What could be causing my gas guage to fluctuate? I will fill it up to say a half tank, I pull in my driveway and it will go up to saying its Full. Then next time I leave it will go down to half, back to full and then down to empty before it goes back to where its supposed to be. Any ideas what my problem would be? I have an extended warranty that came with the car when I bought it but its pretty picky on what it covers. I was hoping to get some ideas before having to take it in.

bout 99% sure its yur sending unit for the fuel. its in your tank and holds your pump.

It doesnt just do it in the driveway though. The other day it said I had a quarter tank. I drove a ways then the fuel light came on. A few more miles it went off. It went on and off for awhile. Its like it has a mind of its own. Im just concerned because it makes it hard to tell how much gas I actually have.

thats because the float on your sending unit is giving false readings. ive run into this lots of times and almost everytime its the sending unit. its possible that the gauge is faulty. youve got 2 options. replace the unit or fill your tank up and start using your trip meter to tell you how much youve drivien on a tank...

Originally Posted by DaytonaGTP

thats because the float on your sending unit is giving false readings. ive run into this lots of times and almost everytime its the sending unit. its possible that the gauge is faulty. youve got 2 options. replace the unit or fill your tank up and start using your trip meter to tell you how much youve drivien on a tank...

i just found this it might help you...

http://www.grandprixforums.net/f17/f...ing-17836.html

Ive tried the mileage thing but I dont always have enough money to fill my tank everytime I need gas. I think I may have a broken tie rod so I guess as soon as I can get my car in for that I will ask about the gas gauge. What a pain!

If you take it to a shop they will try to convince you that the whole fuel pump assembly needs to be swapped out. ($$$)

Its just the fuel sending unit that is dead.

Originally Posted by SuperSport

If you take it to a shop they will try to convince you that the whole fuel pump assembly needs to be swapped out. ($$$)

Its just the fuel sending unit that is dead.

Ok for someone not good about mechanics what options do I have? Im good with modding but not this stuff

Originally Posted by nikkigpgt00

Ok for someone not good about mechanics what options do I have? Im good with modding but not this stuff

What I meant was, if you take it to a shop, they will tell you the whole fuel pump and sending unit need to be changed, which would be 500 bucks plus labor, when the only thing that needs to be changed is the float that clips to the side of the fuel pump unit which is only 90.

If youre good with modding then its not that bad of a job to do yourself. Im not good with modding and I changed the sending unit myself. Took me 30 mins.

Also if you take it to a shop, they will also insist on dropping the gas tank when there is an access panel in the trunk to make the job 1000 times easier.

what is the part number?

Part number for the Sending Unit: 89060197

Picked up mine from GMPartsDirect.com