dancing fuel guage 99 burb

My fuel guage loves to bounce around.The needle vibrates very quickly and it will move from 3/4 full to 1/2 full.It doesn't appear to be moving due to the fuel sloshing around in the tank.I have had issues with the guage not registering the propper fuel level,then now the quick vibration with radical movment.Would this be the guage itself??Are the fuel guages replaceable in the cluster?Any help would be appreciated.
chuck's

This is extremely likely to be from the sending unit inside the fuel tank. Due to alcohol in the gasoline, all these senders do not last as long as in the old days. Replacement requires dropping the tank for access, and the sending unit is expensive as well, figure about $600 total if a mechanic does it, and mechanic will likely recommend to replace fuel pump as well while in there. I might recommend using the trip odometer, as we did on our 1994 Suburban and now do on our 2005 Yukon. Article/explanation of this in just-out Popular Mechanics auto questions section, and may also be online on their site.

True, GM has had a ton of instrument cluster problems, too. Currently our 2005 tachometer can either be OK, or read zero or 6000 rpm at idle; and the voltmeter frequently reads greater than 19 volts when it's only doing 14 volts (correctly) while running. Thanks GM.

There were recalls on the dash cluster, but mine has too many miles on it (we got ours in August) and yours is too many years out for that.

My fuel guage loves to bounce around.The needle vibrates very quickly and it will move from 3/4 full to 1/2 full.It doesn't appear to be moving due to the fuel sloshing around in the tank.I have had issues with the guage not registering the propper fuel level,then now the quick vibration with radical movment.Would this be the guage itself??Are the fuel guages replaceable in the cluster?Any help would be appreciated.
chuck's

the wandering fuel guage is from sulphur in the fuel. this causes the in tank reostat to develop a resistive film. the use techron injector cleaner helps REDUCE this problem. It has been reported the new units are more reliable.

On the rapid vib's of the fuel guage or all gauges this a dash cluster issue. this is part of GM'S top secret circuitry. there are some web sites that claim to be able to correct this.

My fuel guage loves to bounce around.The needle vibrates very quickly and it will move from 3/4 full to 1/2 full.It doesn't appear to be moving due to the fuel sloshing around in the tank.I have had issues with the guage not registering the propper fuel level,then now the quick vibration with radical movment.Would this be the guage itself??Are the fuel guages replaceable in the cluster?Any help would be appreciated.
chuck's

sounds like the float in gas tank or a grond wire but i'll say the float and you have to drop tank to get to it?

the wandering fuel guage is from sulphur in the fuel. this causes the in tank reostat to develop a resistive film. the use techron injector cleaner helps REDUCE this problem. It has been reported the new units are more reliable.
I'm just reporting what Popular Mechanics just wrote. If "new units" means 2005, mine is still not good.

On the rapid vib's of the fuel guage or all gauges this a dash cluster issue. this is part of GM'S top secret circuitry. there are some web sites that claim to be able to correct this.
If you can link me to web sites that claim to be able to correct the gauge issue, that would be great. I don't exactly know what to search.

Thanks for some input.Maybe it means that I may have to bite the bullet and repair it.For now I do use the trip odometer to determine when it is time to refuel.
chuck's

Thanks for some input.Maybe it means that I may have to bite the bullet and repair it.For now I do use the trip odometer to determine when it is time to refuel.
chuck's
That will work for now.
But.
If you have high mileage on the fuel pump.
The fuel pump some day will quit.
If so that will be a good time to repace the fuel pump module with a good Delphi { like SAY NO NO to AIRTEX OR AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS}
The fuel pump module comes with a new fuel sending unit .
Kills two birds with one stone.

I'm just reporting what Popular Mechanics just wrote. If "new units" means 2005, mine is still not good.

If you can link me to web sites that claim to be able to correct the gauge issue, that would be great. I don't exactly know what to search.


The sulphur was actually causing so many total failures out in california many years ago the fuel supplier paid for vehicles to be repaired.

the exact date of these fuel picks is not known when it was changed to resist the oxidation created . you think the defective units where discarded ? most likely not , given the cost .. so 2005 may still have the older material ..

see if this guy has the dash repair . post back how it worked out . http://drspeedometer.com/services-i-offer/suburban-speedometer-repair (http://drspeedometer.com/services-i-offer/suburban-speedometer-repair)

call your local napa store they have the fuel sender only. but if your truck is highmilage you mite want to replace the fuel pump too.

napa stoped selling the fuel sender. going to check at the other stores in town. acording to there websites they sell them. its a dorman product part number 911-005. mite be worth looking in to trying one.

see if this guy has the dash repair . post back how it worked out . http://drspeedometer.com/services-i-offer/suburban-speedometer-repair (http://drspeedometer.com/services-i-offer/suburban-speedometer-repair)

i took a look at that guys site. he may have a good service but his site sucks. its got a popup that locks you out.

i took a look at that guys site. he may have a good service but his site sucks. its got a popup that locks you out.

I had no issues with viewing this site. I have my computer on max secuity, and blocking etc...I did not see any pop ups or any that were blocked !

If you have phone just call the 800 number. I have read many customers posting the great satisfaction with this company.

thats good. if a lot of persons are haveing good things to say about them. i just mite be a java problem. its his popup to down load the how to remove the dash. that keeps locking me out. he has a spot ro two on his site to get the down load. dont realy see any need for it to block the site with that popup. it just comes up and will not go away so you can read his hole site.


oh found the fuel Level Sensor at O'relly auto parts, you must order them 35.99 plus 6.12 shiping and handling. napa stopped carrying them.

The fuel pump demon bit my vehicle.Fuel pump died on a return trip home.Replaced the unit and hoped my vibrating needle would disapear.As I was putting the fuel back into the tank,at about 1/4 of a tank,the needle wasn't vibrating.As I added more fuel,to just under a half,the needle started to vibrate.I am going to suspect the guage may be possessed.I will check if the vibration goes away as the level begins to drop below 1/4.After 12 years of operation,I guess a new pump is due.We will see how this sending unit works.Just a postscipt.Rear brake line began to leak,so back in the garage to replace the brake line.You know, the one that connects to the rear flex line.
chuck's

looks like you have a bad guage.

The fuel pump demon bit my vehicle.Fuel pump died on a return trip home.Replaced the unit and hoped my vibrating needle would disapear.As I was putting the fuel back into the tank,at about 1/4 of a tank,the needle wasn't vibrating.As I added more fuel,to just under a half,the needle started to vibrate.I am going to suspect the guage may be possessed.I will check if the vibration goes away as the level begins to drop below 1/4.After 12 years of operation,I guess a new pump is due.We will see how this sending unit works.Just a postscipt.Rear brake line began to leak,so back in the garage to replace the brake line.You know, the one that connects to the rear flex line.
chuck's

you fuel guage has more electronics to it than you an most think. it is more than a in tank reostat and wiring and an analog guage.

the high frequency vib's is in the , dash console most likely..there are electronic components in it , that send signals to the PCM and warning lamp circuit.