'01 Intrigue: Gas Guage Not Working....

[vanhalen1979]

Anyone else see this problem? I have a '01 Intrigue w/ 125K on it and the fuel guage stopped reading accurately. Non-dealer mechanic told me that the tank had to come out, replace the fuel filter and sensor - about a $600 job. Anyone have any issues with this? Cheaper solution? Thanks!

[LittleHoov]

Its fairly common, mine has been this way for at least a year and a half or so.

The thank shouldnt have to be dropped, there should be an access port in the trunk underneath the carpet to access the fuel pump.

The fuel level thing is built into the pump assembly I do believe. But dont quote me on that.

The fuel filter is not even located near the pump, its on the driver side around the rear wheel-ish. Unless the mechanic was referring to the strainer on the pump.

Cheapest solution is to fill up everytime and keep track of your mileage Ive been doing it for a long time.

[dtownfb]

My gas gauge hasn't worked since 60k miles. I'm at 166k miles. I keep track using my trip odometer. On another forum, someone mentioned that the fuel sending unit is actually separate from the pump assembly. Check www.gmpartsdirect.com or www.rockauto.com and see if they sell the fuel sending unit separately or not.

[phewop118]

I have had a similar problem since about 110k miles on the odo. My gas gauge works fine when the tank is close to full, but as the volume of fuel in there drops, the gauge gets erratic. It's ok if I'm sitting still and on level ground, but if I accelerate or am going event slightly uphill, it begins to climb, sometimes even showing a full tank when it's close to empty.

The sending unit is located underneath the spare tire in the trunk and from what I've heard, isn't all that hard to change yourself, provided you are cautious and don't create any sparks near your gas.

[1982regal]

i just did a car and it turned out to be the gauge behind the instrument panel--always showed a quarter tank--works fine now

[dtownfb]

How did you fix it? New gauge?

[harmankardon35]

real common GM problem, in fact of all the GM's ive owned (2002 sierra, 1998 sonoma, intrigue) the intrigue is the only working gauge Apparently the sulfur or something in the fuel messes with the sending unit in the tank, and it stops reading accuratly. Now you can buy the sending unit seperate from the pump, so it should be about $100 in parts instead of $500 for the entire pump before they began selling them seperate.

[1982regal]

dtownfb i acually got one out of the wrecking yard 10 dollars--just the gaugeharmankardon35 is right you can buy just the sending unit--our cost threw the shop was 135.00--but that did not fix this one--it was the gauge--

[Nadinest]

Ok here it goes...a woman's reply to this post.

I have a 99 Intrigue and 2 summers ago the same thing happened to my car. Fuel gauge didn't work. I came to this forum and found the answer.

I went to a GM dealer and bought a ???? I don't remember the name...and my huisband is sleeping right now.... we also asked for a diagram about how to fix it. According to GM, it would take them 2 and 3/4 hours to fix this problem. i brought the part home and my husband fixed it in 1/2 hour. Pop the trunk and pull the mat towards you. Next flip open the back seats and under there is the thing that you have to change...it's at the entrance of the gas tank.

GM would have soaked someone with the labor costs when a handyman can do it himself.

Sorry, if this makes absolutely no sense to you men out there. Look in the past posts and you may find the name of the part.

Bye

[Tobey]

Nadinest, I do believe the part you're referring to is the fuel sender.

Originally Posted by phewop118

The sending unit is located underneath the spare tire in the trunk and from what I've heard, isn't all that hard to change yourself, provided you are cautious and don't create any sparks near your gas.

Actually, it's under the rear seat. I remember seeing the access panel when I took the seat out to change my speakers. There's nothing below the spare tire.