Fuel gauge is more like a tilt gauge

[Yukes]

Hi everyone. First off, I used to read the shit out of the TahoeForum before it closed down. Now that a new one opened I've decided to finally try and answer a super annoying problem I've been having.

When my tank is less than 3/4 full, and I brake, the fuel guage will go down, as the fuel in the tank rushes towards the front. Likewise, when I accelerate, it goes way up, as the fuel goes back towards the rear. The lower on fuel I am, the worse the problem gets. By around 1/2 tank, if I stop at a light or stop sign, the gauge goes nearly into the red. Any lower and it will peg out in the empty position.

Basically, the guage reads the tilt of the car rather then fuel level when the tank is any less than 3/4 full. It makes it kind of hard to tell how much fuel you have unless you're on a flat surface. Can anyone help me out?

 

[JKmotorsports]

It may be the sending unit/pump assembly hanging loose. You'll have to drop the tank to get access to find out if that's the case or not.

 

[wmgood64]

mine doesnt move much!!

 

[hardwarz]

It may be the sending unit/pump assembly hanging loose. You'll have to drop the tank to get access to find out if that's the case or not.

+1

Sounds like the sending unit is bad.

Hardwarz

 

[AtomicHoe094]

mine does the same thing.. : /

 

[chevyguy3766]

mine does the same thing. i was told it was because it has a "floating" needle and not a computer sensor to tell you exactly how much fuel i have. another thing that i wish GM had put wast a "low fuel" light in the dash. i just know when i hit about 450 miles to start looking for a gas station.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

450 miles!!!!!!!!!! holy damn i start looking for a gas station at like 270.. 300 if im feeling daring.. damn!..

 

[Grebbler]

If they are getting that much to a tank then they can put up with a bouncy needle and the chance of running out of gas during a crippling snowstorm in a bad neighborhood.

Screw 'em!

 

[Yukes]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Next time I take 'er in I'll have them drop the tank and fool around a bit.

Also, 300 MILES to a tank? Rediculous. Now that I'm at university again I only drive in the city, so I start looking at 350 Kilometers, or 218 miles. At about 400 km I'll run out .

 

[bsamoul]

I maybe can hit 400...but usually i **** out and get gas at 300 lol. Don't want to increase the chance of the fuel pump burning up

---------- Post added at 06:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:26 PM ----------

PS, if anyone can figure out how to fix this, it would be greatly appreciated because mine fluctuates +- 1/4 tank once I hit 3/4. Is it really a bad sending unit?

 

[AtomicHoe094]

i wish i got 400.. i would be soo happy. lol..

 

[DJTricky]

well you got to pay to play i only get 250 to a tank all highway them horses are thirsty. All 422 or more of them

 

[Black_Rain]

I had to install a new fuel pump, and the fuel gauge still does that. I get about 320 miles per tank.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

I had to install a new fuel pump, and the fuel gauge still does that. I get about 320 miles per tank.

fuel gauge does what? the swaying of the needle when you go around turns and brake hard??? that has nothing to do with the fuel pump.. All that is, is when your gas in the HUGE tank it has, moves side to side because the baffles aren't doing a good enough job in there. Baffles are like little walls inside the gas tank that help the sending unit get a good reading to where your gas level actually is. if anything i would replace the sending unit and gave that a whirl, but i dont have 300 bucks to blow off something that works.

 

[Black_Rain]

Mine does the vibrating violently.

 

[mikeykey]

fuel gauge does what? the swaying of the needle when you go around turns and brake hard??? that has nothing to do with the fuel pump.. All that is, is when your gas in the HUGE tank it has, moves side to side because the baffles aren't doing a good enough job in there. Baffles are like little walls inside the gas tank that help the sending unit get a good reading to where your gas level actually is. if anything i would replace the sending unit and gave that a whirl, but i dont have 300 bucks to blow off something that works.

While I'm not 100% positive, I do question weather its the fuel pump or not. I concede that it may not be the actual pump itself, but could be caused by the grounding strap off the fuel pump and gas tank assemble. A couple guys mentioned this on the old site. Mine starting doing this after replacing the fuel pump. Weather its a direct connection with doing it or just by chance is still up in the air since I have never attempted to fix it.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

is yours the rapid?

 

[hapyspaz]

Mine fluctuates between a slow bounce, as if its dancing to the music, and a violent vibration, all depends on the level. My oil pressure gauge does the same thing though, so I think I may have a cluster issue....

 

[AtomicHoe094]

yea sounds like your cluster.. mine would do the real slow wave to me thing.. then i swapped out the gauge (individual ones) i have a ton of pics during the process if you want em.. or ill make a thread about replacing individual ones.. LMK

 

[350VortecSSCT]

Inside your tank is the fuel pump, big plastic thing with a spring and bolts and just random stuff connected to it...There you also have the sending unit but inside is like a bobber...nothing is electric except the fuel pump...I feel that if your gonna do a electric fuel pump, maybe electric gauge? hahaha, idk. Make sure everything is strapped down tight, becareful taking the fuel pump out, be gentle on the top of it or you'll have to change the sending unit