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Fuel Gauge failed, Potential "Workaround" ... thoughts?

I

iamteeg

New member
Hey all!
This is actually my first post since getting my Grand Prix, but I haven't had time (and daylight) to take any pics. Anyway, the fuel gauge on the main cluster is not showing up correctly, and obviously I haven't had time to replace the fuel sensor sending unit thing yet, but while driving around this evening looking for dinner, it occurred to me that I might be able to use the "fuel used" feature on the minidisplay above the radio... It doesn't appear to use the same sensor as the fuel gauge, it almost appears to add up the amount of fuel injected in each cylinder each time ............. but that seems a little strange to me, maybe not?
If that's the case, I'm figuring I can get a pretty good estimate (and maybe even more accurate than the analog dial) of how much fuel is left in my tank by subtracting the fuel used from the tank size and reset IT instead of (or in addition to) the trip odometer each fill up.

The way the readout changed over time seemed to match with what I'd expect from my drive after resetting the "fuel used," also.
Other note is that I reset the MPG calculator feature as well at the same time... and IT ALSO behaved as I would expect so far...

Does anyone KNOW what readout that comes from? Now I'm just plain curious ...

I'll continue testing no matter what and let you guys know what I find out ...

Thanks,
Tom
 


it would help to know what year we are dealing with.

in either case the Driver Information Center (DIC) is a trip computer. It uses inputs from the PCM like run time and other parameters to track milage.

why not fill the tank, then figure an average of 18 mpg and a 17 gallon tank. Fill it up when you get to 240 miles and you'll still have some gallons in reserve.
 
PCm computes volume of fuel injected, assuming all conditions/sensors/injectors/pump are nominal.

fairly accurate, fuel density/tempurature isnt accounted for. use it, i just figure 200miles on my ****G since the gauge doesnt work below 1/2. not worth it to fix since its just a beater keeping my new donor engine comfy and broken in
 
Looks like the trip computer is probably more accurate than the analog gauge, FOR SURE.
It's within a gallon of "correct" based on fillup (which I imagine can vary a bit just by the gas pump's nozzle alone).





Also, it's a 1999 Grand Prix GTP 2D Coupe. Didn't think that was relevant for general trip computer info.
 
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