2000 Silv erado - Fuel Pump/Electrical Problems?

I have a 2000 Silverado 1500SL 5.3L Extended Cab. Mileage is at 180k. I bought the truck used in 2001. The fuel gauge has always been sporadic. There has been slight hesitation over the past 2 years when the truck is at speed. This happens very seldom. Last week while driving the truck hesitated a few times and all 6 gauges jumped - moving at the same time. The warning lights also lit up at the same time. This lasted only a few seconds. About 5 miles down the road it happened again. Approximately 4 days later the same thing happened, but hasn’t happened since then. Please help.

when you say hesitate you mean like the fuel pump dosent pump enough gas and it sputters? to me it seems like it could be an electrical problem, maybe a loose ground/connection.

Yes, it seems like it's not getting gas for just a split second. The fuel pump has also been whining for the past couple of years. Forgot to mention that. How would I check for a loose connection?

well seeing that recently it made the dash spaz out I would check the battery terminals, as for a bad ground :( I think it requires some troubleshooting, I never had to mess with it

How exactly did the cluster gauges jump? Did the peg high, drop to nothing? Did they come back? Are they correct when working? Are you loosing radio presets?

I have a 2000 Silverado 1500SL 5.3L Extended Cab. Mileage is at 180k. I bought the truck used in 2001. The fuel gauge has always been sporadic.

Do you have a GMC or a Chevy? SL is the GMC version of the Silverado. not that it matters.

Your fuel gauge being sporadic is the caused by the sending unit or the instrument cluster. NOw you have introduced a new problem which could be the fuel pump/sending unit going out completely and/or your instrument cluster going out. You have 180K miles on the truck. I would replace the fuel pump/sending unit. chances are you will need to replace it anyways.
If you gauges are still acting up, then replace the cluster.

Do you have a GMC or a Chevy? SL is the GMC version of the Silverado. not that it matters.

Your fuel gauge being sporadic is the caused by the sending unit or the instrument cluster. NOw you have introduced a new problem which could be the fuel pump/sending unit going out completely and/or your instrument cluster going out. You have 180K miles on the truck. I would replace the fuel pump/sending unit. chances are you will need to replace it anyways.
If you gauges are still acting up, then replace the cluster.


Before I would replace a $400.00 part I would test it first. The sending unit works on resistance. Use an Ohm meter set to measure Ohm's. Take the sending unit out, connect the leads from the Ohm meter to the sending unit and work the float arm slowly by hand. The resistance will increase gradually as you move the level arm. If the meter moves as smoothly as you move the level arm then the sending unit is fine. If it all of a sudden hits a spot and goes nuts, you need a sending unit.

Sorry for the confusion, it is a Chevrolet. That was a typo. As far as the gauges - they went back and forth pegging out both ways - and it only lasted a few seconds. I'm sure it probably does need a fuel pump and I'll end up replacing that. I'm wondering if that will solve all of the problems once that is replaced.

You can replace your fuel gauge or sending unit all day long. That isnt going to fix all your gauges jumping around.

1999 Silverado
I changed the fuel pump and still no fuel how doi I prime ejectors

Have you checked the relay for the fuel pump. On my 2000 you could pull another relay to check. If bad replace with a new unit. A plugged fuel filter will cause a no start. Check the fuel pressure regulator. Use a ohm meter and check that you have power to the pump. You should be able to hear the pump.

You can get a new fuel sender on eBay for under $150...if he goes to all the trouble to pull the bed/drop the tank then at 180K I think he should just replace it...don't you?

I was answering the no fuel question as he replaced the pump with no fuel. The other post you are answering I would follow your suggestion. Also the theft system will shut off power to the injectors if it goes bad.

:wink: maybe "don't you" sounds a little strong....maybe I should have put "don't you think that's a good idea" instead.

I would check to see if you have power to the fuel pump relay.
One thing to check is the ignition switch on those vehicles. If the switch has bad contacts, this can cause the conditions you are describing.
A quick check would be to turn the switch to the ON position and look at the SES light..if the SES light is not on, then most likely you have a bad switch