Fuel Gauge Reading Incorrectly

[tcestes]

I've got the same problem with my fuel gauge reading incorrectly. I have a 2001 Grand Prix GT. Has anyone bought a fuel pump assem from this website? Would this work for my car? Also is this the best price?

http://www.wbodystore.com/grandprix/...ump-p-254.html

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by tcestes

I've got the same problem with my fuel gauge reading incorrectly. I have a 2001 Grand Prix GT. Has anyone bought a fuel pump assem from this website? Would this work for my car? Also is this the best price?

http://www.wbodystore.com/grandprix/...ump-p-254.html

Welcome to AF.

Why not just replace the fuel level sending unit. Its cheaper.

BTW - Your post has been moved to the regular part of our forum for discussion.

[CrazyHorst]

Depending on mileage, it might be a smart idea to replace both level sensor AND fuel pump in a single job despite the extra part cost. The labor time or labor cost would be nearly equivalent I'd think.

The fuel pump can leave you walking if it goes down just right, although there seem to be some warning signs first or it refuses to start.

My personal advice is to stick with a GM-OEM or AC Delco fuel pump despite wide availability of other less-expensive alternatives.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by CrazyHorst

Depending on mileage, it might be a smart idea to replace both level sensor AND fuel pump in a single job despite the extra part cost. The labor time or labor cost would be nearly equivalent I'd think.

Thats depends on what the meaning of extra cost is and whether the OP has DIY (Do It Yourself) capability. True the labor costs would probably be the same but replacing just the level sensor is very effective as far as cost savings. Around $80 versus well over $300+ for the complete Delco fuel pump assembly.

Many of our members including me have taken that approach and it worked out fine. I am not a fan of arbitrarily replacing parts unless proven bad. Therefore, really no need to replace the complete fuel pump assembly unless there is a fuel supply issue.

[tcestes]

I just bought the car on Monday of this week. It has about 105k on it. I'm having no problems as far as I can tell with the fuel pump itself. Just the pesky problem of not knowing exactly how much gas I have left. Other than going by the mileage.

I wasn't aware that I could buy just the fuel sending unit. Where can I?

[tcestes]

Also, what kind of warranty does the AC Delco full assembly have on it? There's a 1 year or 12k warranty on the part I posted the link to. I hate to spend $400 just so I can read the fuel gauge if I can avoid it. I can do the work myself I believe. And would rather go the route of just replacing the fuel sending unit. Then when/if the whole thing goes bad, I'd look at replacing the entire thing, obviously.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by tcestes

I wasn't aware that I could buy just the fuel sending unit. Where can I?

Just send me a PM message and I can direct you to a reputable and reasonably priced AC Delco/GM parts supplier. Plus they will answer any questions on parts warranty.

Here is the one that I did.


................^^^^Level Sending Unit

[JonJon68]

Agreed, I just replaced my fuel sending unit last summer and my fuel pump was and still running strong.

[wlkjr]

I replaced my fuel pump last year and it still doesn't read correctly, but it is not erratic. I have taken the time to pull the pump out and adjust the float arm. I just reset the odometer every fillup and be sure to fill up again around 350 miles. I sure wouldn't spend the extra dollars just for the labor, since it is definitely a DIY project.

[CrazyHorst]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Around $80 versus well over $300+ for the complete Delco fuel pump assembly.

Agreed there is no "right answer" and there opens the possibility of causing more issues when multiple repairs are attempted concurrently, but one has to ask themself if they potentially get stranded by the fuel pump would they rather have the ~$240 in their hands or have spent the ~$240 and still be going.

Obviously this theory could be extrapolated to include everything on the entire vehicle and so you'd have to rebuild it every time you drove it

However, if you read the AF and see what common problems are out there, the fuel pump is fairly high on the Pareto chart after a certain range of mileage.

My personal belief is that I'm doing pretty well cost-wise with DIY repairs and while cash is tight, paying a tow bill or trying to quickly source and replace a fuel pump roadside to get back on track with normal daily activities is ultimately more costly....and an unexpected cost at that...

On my GTP, the fuel pump was replaced this spring by the previous owner (my brother) who used an "anypart" and a local independent mechanic where he got stranded. My plans are to run this 2 years and replace with a Delco as long as the car is still on the road.

[tcestes]

Can someone post a pic of what the fuel sending unit looks like? And what would be involved with just replacing it? I've seen the writeup on replacing the entire fuel assembly part. I'm having no problems fuel pump wise. Just the gauge not reading correctly. Would rather just buy the sending unit and replace it. If and when the time comes when I'm actually having fuel problems, would look at the other options then.

[tblake]

see the pic in post #7 by Bob (bnaylor) Thats the sending unit.

[tcestes]

Is that the sending unit on the ground to the left of it? How difficult is it to just replace the sending unit? Do I still have to replace seals, or is it just a bolt-on operation?

[doctorhrdware]

The one on the ground and the one on the side are both the fuel sending units. They have the yellow square foam.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by tcestes

Is that the sending unit on the ground to the left of it? How difficult is it to just replace the sending unit? Do I still have to replace seals, or is it just a bolt-on operation?

It is not difficult to replace the fuel level sending unit which will include the float and metal arm seen in the pics. Obviously, the first step is to remove the fuel pump assembly. That guide is located at our Tips & Maintenance forum. It is recommended to replace the o-ring seal for the fuel pump assembly to gas tank but not necessary if the o-ring is serviceable.

Here are a few better pics of the sending unit. Front and rear. All you have to do is push on the forked retainer shown and then pull assembly down and off the fuel pump pod assembly. Also, the unit will come with the (wiring harness) two purple wires and the electrical connectors which are located at the top of the fuel pump pod. The defective unit shown below had the wiring harness removed so it is not depicted.