Wandering Chevy Fuel Gauge, Possible Fix

[Rhymingmechanic]

2001 Silverado shortbox with 26-gallon tank. My fuel gauge started acting up, but Techron (complete fuel system cleaner, not FI cleaner) seems to have fixed it so far.

I was idling in park recently and noticed the "Low Fuel" light. The needle had swung from just under 1/2 to E and then to F and back to where it started. This kept happening intermittently.

I know the sensor is part of the in-tank pump assembly, and changing it requires dropping the tank or removing the bed. I also remembered Techron claiming to clean malfunctioning fuel level sensors, so I put a 15-gallon dose in.

The gauge acted wacky for another day or two afterwards, but then stopped. I ran it down near E and added a large and a small bottle with a fillup. I'm down near 1/4 now, and the gauge has worked normally the whole time.

 

[demarpaint]

Before I start pulling things apart I would give it another Techron dose. You might get lucky.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Before I start pulling things apart I would give it another Techron dose. You might get lucky.


+1 I would consider doing two tanks of Berryman than two tanks of techron. I had a similar issue with my Equinox that it should show as empty when I would first start it then 1/2 a tank then a 1/4. Also consider changing the fuel filter too if it hasn't been done in some time.

 

[GMBoy]

The Techron cleans the suplhur deposits off the sending unit's contacts and, in my experience, works 90% of the time.

You may want to consider using Top Tier gas to help prevent this from happening again and/or run a maintenance does of Techron every oil change or so.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

I started using Shell again last fall, but went a long time on Kroger gas. I have used Gumout Regane about once per year--I think I'll switch to Techron for periodic cleaning.

The gauge is still working fine near the end of the second Techron-treated tank.

 

[Silverado12]

Seafoam is another product I've had good luck with. It works as advertised.

 

[Trav]

I have had good luck with Techron, I use 2 x treats 20 gallon size bottles in a full 20 gallon tank. Time is your friend, the longer it sits in your tank the better the result.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I have had good luck with Techron, I use 2 x treats 20 gallon size bottles in a full 20 gallon tank. Time is your friend, the longer it sits in your tank the better the result.


I was just thinking about the time factor, since I drove more than usual in the last week.

I'm between 1/4 and E, and got a little wandering this morning when I pulled into a parking space. The needle never hit E or 1/2, where before it swung the whole range of the gauge.

 

[Nick1994]

Those Chevys usually get bad instrument clusters. Yours might be going out.