01 Venture Gas Gauge

[geh888]

The gas gauge travels all over. Does not matter where the actual level is. Was curious if anyone has experienced this?

[rockwood84]

it sounds like the sending unit which is on the side of the fuelpump inside the fuel tank is going out . could be also bad connector on top of the fuelpump especially if it has the square type connector. usually when the fuel gauge starts to get erratic it isn't long before the fuelpump will either pump unsteady pressure or just run without pumping pressure. the new pumps come with a bigger connector that you splice to your wires.a good f/pump will cost around $330.00. been there done that i have a '99 silho.

[geh888]

Thanks for the insight.

[base11]

Yes my 2001 does this too. Basically the gas gauge does not work. Rumour has it this was due to some bad gas from shell a few years back that clogged the sensor / sending unit up.

I just added some very exspensive GM fuel cleaner to see if it will help.

In my opinion another GM global deficiency, much the same as the manifold gaskets and the windshield wiper module problem.

[rockwood84]

the fuel pump and fuel gauge wires come out of the tank and go to a pass-thru connector in the floor board right below the drivers side sliding door.you can follow wires from top of gas tank to the connector that they go thru.pull the connector apart and see if it is green inside it. if it is then this could be where your problem is with the fuel gauge. you can try some electical cleaner but might end up scraping the connector .it seems the weather seal g. m. used does not seal after all as water still gets in.i ended up putting a $55.00 end on the wires. the traction control, wheel speed sensors ,abs wires all go thru the connectors[there are two right next to each other.]also the wires could be apart under the drivers seat carpet as they run under it to the dash and pcm

[thunderbirdrob]

I have a friend who has a 99 venture that had the same problem, he poured some additive or something in the tank from GM specifically for this problem and his guage works perfect. might be worth looking into for about $5.00

[chevymaniactn08]

does ne one knows the name of this product and where to find it...i have the same problem with my 97 venture....gas hand is all the way past the full mark...never moves....is this my problem too?or is mine sumthin else?

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by chevymaniactn08

does ne one knows the name of this product and where to find it..

GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS, P/N 88861011 (for U.S. ACDelco®, use 88861013) (in Canada, 88861012). Can be purchased at your local GM dealer's parts department. Make sure the container has the word "PLUS" on it as they revised the cleaner but kept the same part number, the word "PLUS" denotes the new formula. The new improved cleaner is supposed to clean the deposits and keep the parts protected. It is recommended to use it at every oil change for optimum benefit.

[chevymaniactn08]

now how does this work exactly.....wuts in this stuff thats going to make my gas gauge even work.....kinda sound iffy to me

['97ventureowner]

The GM cleaner contains what is called a "filmer" It coats the parts of the sending unit to prevent the sulfur in the gas from corroding the parts. Corrosion causes a disruption in electrical continuity and the gauge becomes erratic. The cleaner cleans the sulfur contamination from the sending unit, and prevents further corrosion to the electronic components. It also coats th metallic surfaces of the fuel system and removes harmful deposits left from poorer quality gas.

[fjclaus]

I haven't has this experience, but I did notice that my gage seems to be going down too fast. Almost like I have a leak, but I don't smell or see gas anywhere.

[base11]

The additive up in canada is $25, and I did try it but did not notice if the plus was on the container or not. Wife usually drives the van and I was in it last week after one new fill up and it seemed to work better but still not accurate enough to trust the tank gauge. Will be using the van this weekend for a ski trip and will watch to see how the gauge works. In my opinion GM should fix this problem for everyone under good will and maybe we might buy GM again. At this rate I doubt if I ever buy GM again. e.g. manifold gasket problem that went on for years, windshield wiper problems, ABS wiring problem and now the gas gauge doesnt work!! Unacceptable.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by base11

In my opinion GM should fix this problem for everyone under good will and maybe we might buy GM again.

I highly doubt they would do this after this:http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?..._74000_us_wor/

[fanta2]

base11 - I agree 100%. We're all having the same problems - coolant issues, wiper blades, power lock switch wires, leaking windshields, rusting rockers, dead bulbs in the radio, yellowing headlight assemblies, ...the list goes on and on. I have an 87 Regal that doesn't have 1/10 of these problems! I consider myself a GM guy, but this experience has me saying I will not be buying GM again. My wife now drives an Odyssey.

[base11]

Gas additive from GM did not work. $25 down the drain. Mine also floats and shows full a lot then empty etc. Basically inaccurate.

Yes if GM fixed these chronic problems that everyone knows is inherant to certain models, we would be more likely to buy GM again in the future. The new 5 year warranty is a step in the right direction but maybe to late.

Also i find it amazing that the new 2008 Malibu is getting praised as such a great car when it is brand new. Lets see what happens in 4 years to the reliability and what goes wrong with this model.