Odometer and Fuel Guage Elec. problems

[smcelhe]

I'm having some electrical problems with my1999 Silverado......Sometimes the odometer/shift indicator LCD lights up so you can see it....other times it doesn't.

My fuel guage....sometimes it stays on "E" and the low fuel light is on....even though there is gas in the tank. Then , just like that it will start working.

Any ideas?

[bim]

Sounds like a bad ground to either the gauge cluster or the sending units.

To check the ground remove the gauge cluster and look for a thick black wire or group of wires connected to the body of the truck. Usually this is the easiest fix to try before spending money at the dealer.

[lilyorkie]

for the cluster and sending unit, mine is doing it also.

[smcelhe]

Bim.....

I sent you an email.

[lilyorkie]

I can shake the truck while sitting inside it and the guage will go from "E" with the low fuel light on to the correct level instantly, looks like the sending unit is shot.

[Petestruck]

I'm having the same problems. It just started recently and the truck has about 103K for milage so I guess I've done well so far. However, How do you take the dashboard apart to get at the cluster. I just want to be sure so I don't break something. I usually find the last screw the hard way, snap! Any help would be appreciated.

[USN Jim]

Originally Posted by smcelhe

I'm having some electrical problems with my1999 Silverado......Sometimes the odometer/shift indicator LCD lights up so you can see it....other times it doesn't.

My fuel guage....sometimes it stays on "E" and the low fuel light is on....even though there is gas in the tank. Then , just like that it will start working.

Any ideas?

yellow

I am having similar problems!! Mine will act up when I fill my tank. it will go to empty (with the low fuel light on) then I can put it in neutral and it will go back to the correct reading. it acts up only when it is full. After running some fuel out everything is normal.
Jim

[kmoney67954]

The reason the fuel gauge is acting like that is because you have a bad fuel sensor. Unfortunatly they cost around $300 to replace. Mine does the same thing but I dont want to spend that money when it works most of the time.

kmoney67954

[Petestruck]

Thanks Kmoney but I'm not sure that's my problem. I never had the issue with the fuel gauge until recently. I first had a problem with the odometer display going out and then comming back on later. Only a day or two later, with the odometer still intermittent, did I experience my first issue with the fuel gauge. I'm not saying that your wrong but the common denominator hear appears to be something with the dash board. I won't know for sure until I can get into the dash board to check out the cluster but I need help trying figure out how to get the dash board apart without braking anything. Does anyone know how to get the dash apart so I can get at the instrument cluster?

[jeverett]

To get the dash off, I pull the outside part right above the radio to get it started, but dont pull too hard until you go all the way around it and make sure all of the clips are out. It also helps to set the park brake, tilt the steering wheel all the way down, and turn the key to the "RUN" position and put the gear selector into 1st gear. I also learned 2 places to be careful.

1. Around the steering column. You will tear the rubber around the gear shift lever.
2. There are long plastic pins at the top part that you are removing. Be sure not to break these.

I've done this a million times, but I might not have explained it very well. I'm better at doing it than describing it.

[Petestruck]

Thanks,

If the weather is nice this weekend I'll give it a try.