Jumping Fuel Gauge, Whats the deal???

8100 Power · March 9, 2005

Check sig for my truck.....

My gas gauge jumps from what ever level I have in the tank to E, most commonly when the truck is at idle, when you give it gas and go, it stops and returns back to fuel level...help me

dbajaer · March 10, 2005

I filled the tank to very full, and when going around corners it does the same, goes to empty!!! Not sure why. Perhaps someone has found the answer...

GMCTech · March 10, 2005

Both trucks need fuel send units.

I'm surprised your dealers didn't have a fix for you. It is a VERY well known and documented concern.

Hope this helps.

KurtMcMouth · March 10, 2005

My truck started doing this just a few minutes ago. It's quite annoying.

8100 Power · March 11, 2005

price on that?

silverado3500 · March 11, 2005

Hope you can get it seperate from the fuel pump, or it will be pricey I had to replace the sending unit in my 2000 C3500, and luckily the sending unit was available seperate from the fuel pump. Took about 20 mins to change.

8100 Power · March 11, 2005

Can anyone maybe get me a part number? Price would be good to....

496 CUBIC INCHES · March 11, 2005

I have the same issue with my '99. When I looked into getting it fixed,the dealer said the sending unit and pump was one piece,and it was over $800 for the part. Add in the labor and it was over $1000. I'll keep using the odometer thank you.

8100 Power · March 11, 2005

$1800 For a freakin fuel gauge....

It still works just jumps at idle, i think i can deal with that for that kind of price

asilverblazer · March 11, 2005

Hope you can get it seperate from the fuel pump, or it will be pricey I had to replace the sending unit in my 2000 C3500, and luckily the sending unit was available seperate from the fuel pump. Took about 20 mins to change.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What was your fix on just the sending unit? That only took 20 minutes, we need a how 2.

swilliams1005 · March 13, 2005

Hope you can get it seperate from the fuel pump, or it will be pricey I had to replace the sending unit in my 2000 C3500, and luckily the sending unit was available seperate from the fuel pump. Took about 20 mins to change.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What was your fix on just the sending unit? That only took 20 minutes, we need a how 2.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes tell us how you changed in 20minutes mines bad too

silverado3500 · March 13, 2005

Well mine was on an obs 3500 (2000 model vortec 454)

All I do is remove all the driver's side bed bolts out, and loosen the passenger side (unbolt fuel filler line from bedside. Use a floor jack to raise the bed on the drivers side. Make sure all wires (taillights specifically are not stretched, or disconnect as necessary There is a metal retaining ring around the fuel pump assy that holds it to the tank, remove this and carefully pull the assembly out from the tank. The fuel level sending unit is a rheostat (not positive on the terminology) with a float attached to it. The sending unit snaps in on the side of the pump assembly. (I did this about a year and a half ago so I don't remember the exact way, but when you look at the pump assembly it was pretty straight forward. The hardest part was getting the whole assembly sealed around the o-ring, and getting that metal retainer back in place.

I'm sorry, but I didn't think to take any pictures when I did the project. In my case the sending unit was $81 from parts.

But at $800, I would have stuck to the trusty ole odometer as well.