Whacky fuel guage

sroney · 08-07-2006, 11:58 PM

Hello,

2000 LS, 3.8L, roughly 125K miles

I am having a problem with the fuel guage. It started about three weeks ago. When it gets around 1/2 tank or below, it acts very erratically. It will drop to nearly empty, then go back up to 1/2. then it may drop to 1/4, stay there for awhile, then go up (or down). It triggers the low fuel message when it drops low enough. It tends to really only move up or down while the car is moving.

It seems to act correctly when it is full to a little more than 1/2 tank.

Any ideas?

BNaylor · 08-08-2006, 04:43 PM

Classic symptoms of a flaky fuel level sending and float unit. You can replace the sending unit by itself without having to replace the whole fuel pump pod and spend big bucks needlessly. See pic below:

Fuel Pump Pod with Level Unit

sroney · 08-09-2006, 06:39 PM

Thanks bnaylor,

I've looked into doing this, and it appears as though this can be done by going throught the trunk and spare tire area, is that correct?

SR

BNaylor · 08-09-2006, 06:56 PM

Behind the rear passenger seat and in the trunk should be an access cover you can remove. You'll have to move aside the trunk carpeting material. The fuel pump pod is held down onto the tank by a big c-clip retainer. There will be two electrical connectors. One to the pressure sensor and one to the fuel pump/level sensor. Then there will be a fuel pressure and return line. One evaporative emissions line. They have a disconnect like the fuel filter. After those are disconnected you pull up and carefully snake it out. Then you can replace the level sensor or the whole pod. Re-install is reverse of above. The pod must be centered over the opening in the gas tank just right or it will be hard to re-install that c-clip. Use vaseline on the big o-ring seal. The seal is important because if not installed properly you will get gas fumes into the cabin and possibly get an evaporative emissions error code.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

hawkeye1956 · 08-14-2006, 03:50 PM

I am experiencing the same problem with my wifes 01 Impala 3.8 with 87k miles on it. I have pulled the truck carpet back, removed the plate and access seems to be very straight forward. The only thing I am a bit nervous about is working with fuel and ensuring that there is no fuel pressure when I start to take things apart. If I simply remove the fuel pump fuse and run the car till it quits, then remove the fuel cap, is that good enough to guarantee that fuel wont go everywhere when I take this apart?
Second question is parts availability. My local Chevy dealer has told me that I must purchase the entire "sending unit" and the part alone is $180, plus they want another $200 for labor. Seems like a lot of money for something that appears relatively simple. I am going to call Napa and others but is this a dealer only part? Can the fuel sensor switch be obtained by itself as it appears that is most likely the problem here.
Thanks in advance for any help.

BNaylor · 08-14-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkeye1956

I am experiencing the same problem with my wifes 01 Impala 3.8 with 87k miles on it. I have pulled the truck carpet back, removed the plate and access seems to be very straight forward. The only thing I am a bit nervous about is working with fuel and ensuring that there is no fuel pressure when I start to take things apart. If I simply remove the fuel pump fuse and run the car till it quits, then remove the fuel cap, is that good enough to guarantee that fuel wont go everywhere when I take this apart?
Second question is parts availability. My local Chevy dealer has told me that I must purchase the entire "sending unit" and the part alone is $180, plus they want another $200 for labor. Seems like a lot of money for something that appears relatively simple. I am going to call Napa and others but is this a dealer only part? Can the fuel sensor switch be obtained by itself as it appears that is most likely the problem here.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Pulling the fuel pump fuse and letting the engine run it out is fine. You will still get a little residual fuel out of the pressure and return line at the fuel pump assembly. Also, when the pod comes out of the hole do not tilt it. There will be fuel in the pod so have plenty of rags around that area. Also, disconnect the battery negative before doing any work back there.

Yes, it is GM dealer only. You can get the sensor for around $80 - $90 at sources other than the GM Dealer. Authorized AC Delco Parts dealers are cheaper and checkout GMPartsDirect.

I replaced one in a '01 Impala LS a few months ago. Pretty straight forward DIY job. Send me a PM and I will provide a reliable source.

Even if you take your time it is no more than a 2 hour job.

hawkeye1956 · 08-20-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Pulling the fuel pump fuse and letting the engine run it out is fine. You will still get a little residual fuel out of the pressure and return line at the fuel pump assembly. Also, when the pod comes out of the hole do not tilt it. There will be fuel in the pod so have plenty of rags around that area. Also, disconnect the battery negative before doing any work back there.

Yes, it is GM dealer only. You can get the sensor for around $80 - $90 at sources other than the GM Dealer. Authorized AC Delco Parts dealers are cheaper and checkout GMPartsDirect.

I replaced one in a '01 Impala LS a few months ago. Pretty straight forward DIY job. Send me a PM and I will provide a reliable source.

Even if you take your time it is no more than a 2 hour job.

bnaylor,
Thanks so much for your advice. My experience with this process was just as you described. Start to finish was 1.5 hours and I am certainly glad that I got just the sensor as it only added about 10 minutes to the whole job. Not only did I save $300 on this repair, but I will also never have to take my local GM dealers answer for parts as the final answer ever again.

sroney · 09-02-2006, 02:55 PM

Bnaylor and Hawkeye1956,

Would that part be the Sender/Connector unit that is around $83?

I have a PN from gmpartsdirect.

BNaylor · 09-02-2006, 03:44 PM

Thats about right though them. Of course, a GM dealer is alot higher.

The AC Delco part number is: SK1051, Sensor Fuel Level

See PM I sent you.

sroney · 09-02-2006, 04:49 PM

Thanks Bnaylor.

I'll post the progress of my repair. Hopefully, it will be the same as
Hawkeye1956.

Gems · 09-02-2006, 07:29 PM

Is the fuel pump fuse in addition to the fuel pump relay?

BNaylor · 09-02-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gems

Is the fuel pump fuse in addition to the fuel pump relay?

It is technically part of it. Circuit wise it is before the fuel pump relay. If it is blown the fuel pump relay would not energize.

sroney · 09-17-2006, 10:04 PM

Just an update. The replacement of the fuel guage sensor took me a little over an hour to complete. Everything seems to be working properly. Thanks for the advice and information.

luarg2 · 09-20-2006, 09:50 AM

can someone get me a part number and where to find this part, because i'm having the same issue with my fuel guage.

BNaylor · 09-20-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luarg2

can someone get me a part number and where to find this part, because i'm having the same issue with my fuel guage.

The GM Part number is 89060197, Fuel Tank Meter Sender, GM List $160.00.

Send me a PM for a GM/AC Delco parts source.

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