fuel gauge not working

[dh57]

My 2000 venture van fuel gauge is not working. When the tank is filled, it works; however, when the tank starts getting low, the needle bounces up and down erratically. I have to watch my mileage to make sure I don't run out of fuel. The low fuel warning system no longer engages. Have checked the connectors underneath the van for corrosion from water intrustion - appears to be fine. Service engine soon light comes on and off sporadically. Any ideas what may be wrong?

[AOneill]

Originally Posted by dh57

My 2000 venture van fuel gauge is not working. When the tank is filled, it works; however, when the tank starts getting low, the needle bounces up and down erratically. I have to watch my mileage to make sure I don't run out of fuel. The low fuel warning system no longer engages. Have checked the connectors underneath the van for corrosion from water intrustion - appears to be fine. Service engine soon light comes on and off sporadically. Any ideas what may be wrong?

I'm having the exact same problem...engine light is on as well, the van is also starting to act weird while driving seems like transmission trouble but my friend the mechanic and his scanner said the tranny is ok probably linked to the fuel sending unit...I also had a map sensor code as well,,sofar I tried some good quality fuel cleaner 15-20$ stuff. I seems to make the fuel guage work better but it still acts up a few times while driving. On this post you'll read about the fuel sending unit getting corroded by the fuel itself and not making good connections but I'm stuck as to why the van sets the engine light as well as has other problems. The first symptom with all my problems was the fuel guage, then came the other stuff coincidence??? I don't know
Andy

[cdru]

The fuel sending unit operates by varying the resistance between 40 (empty) and 250 (full). If a spot on the carbon wipers is damaged or corroded, it can give an incorrect reading. My bet is that the "empty" end of your sensor is damaged/corroded and makes poor contact, while on the "full" end it is fine. Adding a "cleaner" may provide to be a short term fix, but it probably will return if it is indeed corrosion or physical damage.

The earlier model years, say 2002 and prior, had problems with the sending units. Higher sulfer content in the fuel led to accelerated failures. Canada and Florida have recently (within last 18 month IIRC) have had issue with gas companies having incorrectly formulated fuel with high sulfer content. In one case I beleive the gas company actually paid for repairs for those that had damaged sending units. Later year vehicles as well as replacement parts have been redesigned to use different materials to help prevent the problem.

Replacing the sending unit isn't difficult if you have an empty tank. I did mine twice (defective new fuel pump the first time) and each time from start to finish was under 2 hours and that was doing it myself.

[Melrosettop]

Just had the exact thing on our '01. Would have done it myself but I have some cracked ribs. Dealer got me for about $270 to change the sedning unit out