I am having trouble with the fuel gauge on my 2000 Chevy Venture. It has a mind of it's own! The only time it reads accurately is when you fill it up. It sometimes even behaves like the speedometer, going higher when you accelerate. It has me puzzled. We also no longer enjoy the same mileage and power that we did when we purchased it second hand last year. I have been told that it could be from using Shell fuel in the past (additive problem for GMs). Is this possible? Any suggestions/advice out there?
some one is blowing smoke up your tail pipe, if you know what i mean. A Shell Additive???? I don't think so. that would not have anything to do with a sensor in the tank.
There is some truth to what you were told. Your problem is probably the fuel level sending unit card contacts gone bad. It is somewhat of an old design potentiometer with spring contacts on the float arm. Some fuels or especially additives are known to attack the card, harming the connection.
Had the same problem. Took about 2 hours to r&r the tank. The fix was to clean the contacts on the sending unit. I have a power point with additional info to do the job if any one is interested. The readings from the sending unit were 40 ohms empty and 250 ohms full after cleaning. Before they were all over the place.
I had the exaxt same problem....it started around 110,000 KM....was told it was Shell gas as well. I was SOLD a cleaner from GM to correct the problem, and it did fix it.
Had the same problem. Took about 2 hours to r&r the tank. The fix was to clean the contacts on the sending unit. I have a power point with additional info to do the job if any one is interested. The readings from the sending unit were 40 ohms empty and 250 ohms full after cleaning. Before they were all over the place.
My 2000 Venture has the same problem. I took the tank out, but I wasn't quite sure how to get to the sending unit. If you still have that Power Point, I'd sure be interested in seeing it.
Thanks,
-Kurt
I had the exaxt same problem....it started around 110,000 KM....was told it was Shell gas as well. I was SOLD a cleaner from GM to correct the problem, and it did fix it.
I have the same problem with my 2000 Venture. I did some online searching & ran across several articles mentioning sulfur in the gas. I also read about a "fix" from GM that could be poured in the tank to clean the contacts. I went to my local dealer to buy the "fix" & they laughed at me. They said the only "fix" was to replace the sending unit. Do you recall the name or part number for this stuff?
I had the EXACT same problem as described in the original post, only at about 60,000 mi. I never heard about a gas additive causing problems, but I suppose that could make sense. I was not able to repair the broken sending unit, as the "fingers" on the level float were all broken off.
Took about 45 mins to remove gas tank. From there the sending unit is a screwed on cap on the top of the gas tank. Removed and replaced sending unit (new sender about $75 from dealer; BONUS you get 2 in the package, but with different connectors. You could remove the connectors that DON'T match yours and alter that sending unit to work with your car for next time).
Had the same problem. Took about 2 hours to r&r the tank. The fix was to clean the contacts on the sending unit. I have a power point with additional info to do the job if any one is interested. The readings from the sending unit were 40 ohms empty and 250 ohms full after cleaning. Before they were all over the place.
I have a 2001 Montana with the same problem. I would be interested in receiving any info to help me correct it. By r & r do you mean you have to remove and replace the sending unit in the tank?
Alex
Fuel Gauge
The only time it reads accurately is when you fill it up. It sometimes even behaves like the speedometer, going higher when you accelerate. It has me puzzled. We also no longer enjoy the same mileage and power that we did when we purchased it second hand last year. I have been told that it could be from using Shell fuel in the past (additive problem for GMs). Is this possible? Any suggestions/advice out there? 
