Fuel level sending unit

yzguy · 09-05-2002, 10:24 PM

I recently got a 97 Blazer... Well the fuel sending unit is not working correctly and it already left me on the side of the road (reading 3/4 tank). Went to the dealer and asked how much, well over $500!!! that is because it is a whole unit including the fuel pump, they don't sell it separately.

Anyone know where I can get a replacement sending unit??

bomber240 · 10-02-2002, 09:52 PM

Man I don't know, but I sure hear you! I have a 1997 Chevy Blazer and the Fuel gauge hasn't worked since 2000, right after my warranty went out on it. Let me know if u find out a good alternative source to fix, because I too took it to the dealer and couldn't believe how much they were askin to fix it... Good Luck

yzguy · 10-02-2002, 10:20 PM

well I dropped the tank and pulled out the fuel sending unit. I found a generic one from summit, that I got to fit and wired it in only to get the tank back in and find out that it is the guage....

dgacioch · 05-08-2003, 10:03 AM

How did you find out it was in the gauge. Ive got a 2000 blazer and mine doesnt work either. I thought it was the sending unit, but it acts like this. When in neutral or park it bounces like mad, when i put it in drive it stays put between 1/2 and 3/4 full. Weird thing is, when i fill the tank it goes to full, and will slowly drop normally down to half a tank. and just stops. If i continue to drive it, it bounces like mad as the tank gets lower, but again only if its in park or neutral.

bowtiebandit · 05-08-2003, 02:28 PM

The park and nuetral thing is normal to a certain degree, these fuel systems use a buffer to stop erratic readings but it only works in drive.
As far as the sticking it sounds like the sending unit has had the fingers worn off, as in a previous post you do not have to buy the whole entire fuel pump assembly on certain years you can just get the sending unit.

RobP3 · 05-27-2003, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dgacioch
How did you find out it was in the gauge. Ive got a 2000 blazer and mine doesnt work either. I thought it was the sending unit, but it acts like this. When in neutral or park it bounces like mad, when i put it in drive it stays put between 1/2 and 3/4 full. Weird thing is, when i fill the tank it goes to full, and will slowly drop normally down to half a tank. and just stops. If i continue to drive it, it bounces like mad as the tank gets lower, but again only if its in park or neutral.

I have a 2000 blazer as well and it does the exact same thing untill I get very low on fuel then it bounces from empty to full. Has anyone determined if it was the gauge or the fuel sender yet?

Flatrater · 05-27-2003, 09:02 PM

As Bowtie put it before you have a sender, a buffer and wiring to run your gas gauge. Any of these parts could cause your problem. Most of the time it is the sender card causing this. The card has little teeth attached to a float arm which runs over a ceramic card that data gets sent to the PCM or buffer and then to the gauge. This sender needs gas covering it to keep it lubed, no lube the fingers get worn off. I have replaced many senders and alos many buffers on this trucks.

nathan058 · 07-19-2003, 05:22 PM

Well i just got this problem....and its really annoying. is it the fuel sender?

My guage stays at 100% full then after 150 miles or so it goes to 75%. then back up when i refuel

RobP3 · 07-30-2003, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flatrater
As Bowtie put it before you have a sender, a buffer and wiring to run your gas gauge. Any of these parts could cause your problem. Most of the time it is the sender card causing this. The card has little teeth attached to a float arm which runs over a ceramic card that data gets sent to the PCM or buffer and then to the gauge. This sender needs gas covering it to keep it lubed, no lube the fingers get worn off. I have replaced many senders and alos many buffers on this trucks.

Where is the PCM or Buffer located? I've read alot of Posts where the Fuel sender was replaced but it never fixed the problem.

Has anyone replaced the PCM to fix this problem?

hcary · 11-22-2003, 10:58 AM

Any idea on the costs involved here? I just bought a used 01' Jimmy and the needle jumps around a lot when below half a tank.

Fortunately I have a 50,000 mile extended warranty, but there is a $100 deductible for each problem.

JOE CLARK · 12-02-2003, 09:16 PM

The fuel guage on my 97 blazer quit about 3 years ago. chevy garage wanted $900 to fix. said it was sending unit. has anyone come up with a cheaper solution? I've check with NAPA, Auto Zone, Advance Auto, and JC Whitney, none of them sell the sending unit. Am I stuck with ordering it from GM and installing it myself?? any advice would be appreciated.

incubus4163 · 12-18-2003, 01:03 AM

I've got a 2000 Blazer in which the fuel gauge does the same as mentioned before, bounce in park or neutral, but stay at full and gradually go down to 1/2 when empty. Any ideas on what to do??? Also, what is a good size tire to put on it, I want something big, but not huge. I was thinking around 31's.

azee · 12-24-2003, 10:54 AM

Same fuel gauge problem on my 97, it works OK until tank is 1/4 full, then starts to read 3/4 full, the closer it gets to empty the gauge starts reading full. It hasn't worked for years. I just reset the trip meter on every fill-up, I get about 250 miles per tank. I've never been stranded.

chale · 03-18-2004, 10:45 PM

I Recently Bought A 2000 Chevy Blazer And Have Had The Same Trouble With The Fuel Guage. Through Some Research However I Have Discovered You Can Buy The Fuel Level Sending Indicator Alone For About $125-$135. Installing It Is Not Too Difficult If You Have A Chilton Manual (although They Do Not Yet Publish A 2000 Version The 1999 Should Work). If You Have The "robust" Fuel System (i Believe An Option) You Will Have To Buy The Fuel Pump And The Fuel Indicator As One Piece $425. If You Take Your Vin To Any Local Chevy Dealership They Should Be Able To Tell You Which Fuel System You Have And How Much The Part Is.

Mad Marc! · 06-04-2004, 06:08 PM

Thanks for the info, ive got a 2000 Blazer (S10) with the same problem and my local mechanic mentioned the combo sender/pump price of $400.00 but that was before he asked for my VIN. I will check with the dealer to see if I have the less expensive fuel system first.

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