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Introduction / Search Function / Gas Gauge / Aftermarket Stereo

B

bobc455

New member
First of all, the introduction: I've been a car guy forever. I just picked up an '04 Grand Prix GT as a daily driver, after retiring a farily-well modded '98 SC Riviera. Before that was my '69 Buick with a 455, nitrous, and port EFI (18 MPG / 11.6@118). But I still consider myself a newbie to the 3800 world. Since I got the GT about a month ago, I've put on new tires, brakes, trans fluid, flushed the brake fluid, replaced the LIM gasket (aluminum), fixed an EVAP system SES light, and lots of little things like wipers and mufflers.

As I browse the forum, I have a bunch of questions but there doesn't appear to be a search function anywhere. Do I have to have a minimum post count before I can search?

One of the problems with my "new" car is the gas gauge. It usually sits on full, but sometimes dives to empty. Never in between. To me this feels like an intermittent wire short somewhere - any common places to look?

I also want to upgrade the stereo. However I see this little security light on the OEM unit. If I replace the stereo, will this cause a problem with the antitheft system somehow?

Thanks,

-Bob C.

p.s. my "hobby" is tires - I worked part time at Sears Auto and National Tire & Battery for about 20 years, and wound up purchasing my own stuff (mounting / balancing) because I liked doing the work and was good at it. If anyone in my area wants some tires mounted & balanced (like from TireRack or whatever) from someone who knows how to do everything right and will take the time, feel free to hit me up.
 


So, the search function is in the middle of the screen at the top...there's a little magnifying glass up there. Fuel gauge is probably a sender issue which is very common. Stereo upgrade requires a harness. GMOS 1 or something like that...maybe it's a 3...IDK off the top of my head. Welcome to the forum and if all else fails, just ask! :)
 
sounds like the fuel level sensor took a dump, its a 20 dollar fix most of the time. pretty sure the 04 cars have no trap door in the trunk and the tank needs to be dropped to get the pump out. pull the trunk carpet up near the back seat, see if its there or not. it maybe the the years after 04 that got screwed.
 
the anti theft system light you see is for the deck itself, my 99 sunfire had it, if you disconnect the battery or take the oem deck out, it will lock, if you install an aftermarket stereo get the harness and boom youre in business, wont mess up any other security systems like ignition etc, wlcome to the forum :)
 
radios only lock when you put it in a different car, in and out of the car it came from does nothing.

if your radio locked every time you got a new battery dont you think people would be loosing there f ing minds all over the net?
 


so you would have to figure out the unlock code? then unlock it? thats f ed up. unless that radio is not originally from your car or something.

ive had mine out a few times and no locking. and my 03 gmc radio, same deal, took it out and back in no lock up.
 
The reason I am having trouble believing that it's the sending unit is that it can go to full or empty, regardless of how much gas is in the tank. Right now I'm using my odometer as my gas gauge.

I would think that a failed sending unit would fail in such a way that it always stays in a single position...? (either full or empty if there is a short or broken circuit, or somewhere in middle if the float got stuck/seized...)

The car does have the access panel in the trunk- that was the first place I looked. I was hoping to see an exposed wire that was worn through the insulation or something like that...

Thanks!

-Bob C.
 
those senders do all or sorts of crazy crap when bad. its cheap and easy to fix. as long as you got the trap door, and you do. so thats good.

search your year car on ebay or amazon for a dorman fuel level sensor.
 


Scottydoggs said:
sounds like the fuel level sensor took a dump, its a 20 dollar fix most of the time. pretty sure the 04 cars have no trap door in the trunk and the tank needs to be dropped to get the pump out. pull the trunk carpet up near the back seat, see if its there or not. it maybe the the years after 04 that got screwed.
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My buddys 04 gtp definitely has a trap door. We replaced his level sensor last night.
 
scotty, it all depends on if you keep the lock set or not, you can turn it off so you dont need to unlock it everytime, after about the 3rd time ( i had my code) i got sick of unlocking it and turned it off then eventually replaced it with aftermarket anyways for stereo competitions
 
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