Fuel gauge sensor recall information

[Effeckt]

So I filled up the gas tank in my new (to me) 01 Tahoe and afterward the fuel gauge has been jacked up. It will be below empty with the LED screen showing the fuel warning and then register and go back to full. This process will go back and forth as I am driving. My pops has a 00 Suburban and said his used to have the same issue and there was a recall for it that took care of it. I am trying to track down information on it just in case the dealer tries to bill me for the fix. I haven't had much success via google yet and wanted to see if any of you were familiar with it and could help me out. Thanks.

 

[MASS-HOE'Z71]

maybe try looking thru here http://www.extendedgmwarranty.com/recalls/recalls.html , i havent really looked thru it too much except for the pdf manuals they have for when i dont wanna go out to my truck to look thru the real manual

 

[JKmotorsports]

I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any recalls or even TSBs concerning the sending units for the fuel level in 01 Tahoes.

 

[Effeckt]

Yeah I have been unable to find anything on it thus far so I think you are right. I think I am just going to call my local dealer and see what they have to say regarding it and hope for the best although I'm sure it won't be covered.

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any recalls or even TSBs concerning the sending units for the fuel level in 01 Tahoes.

I concur.

i tried to get my 99 fixed at the stealership when it was a couple years old and they told me it was not recalled nor were there TSB's for the fixes that they would hvae to replaced the entire fuel pump and wanted over 600 bills to fix it. i dealt with it and sold the truck with the problem still going.

 

[withac]

Mine does the same. I've been told it means the pump is not to far behind yet it's been like this since last winter. You can find a pump on eBay for around $130.

 

[snowjay]

What gas are you using?

I've read of this problem before and some claim by only using a top tier gas that the problem clears up. I believe the problem has to do with sulfur build up on the contacts and the detergents in the top tier fuels clear them up.

 

[withac]

What gas are you using?

I've read of this problem before and some claim by only using a top tier gas that the problem clears up. I believe the problem has to do with sulfur build up on the contacts and the detergents in the top tier fuels clear them up.

i've been running 91 for several months to help address a pinging issue and have seen no change in the fuel gauge. My understanding is that the sender is integral to the pump and they can go out. To fix it you need to replace the whole pump. I was also told, like I said, that my pump was on the way out but so far it's fine.

 

[snowjay]

i've been running 91 for several months to help address a pinging issue and have seen no change in the fuel gauge. My understanding is that the sender is integral to the pump and they can go out. To fix it you need to replace the whole pump. I was also told, like I said, that my pump was on the way out but so far it's fine.

But what brand of fuel? Octane doesn't matter.

Top Tier gas is gas that has a certain amount of detergents & additives in all octane levels. GM, Toyota and 5 other auto manufacturers recommend the use of this over other gas.

Now I always assumed Top Tier mean major brand names... I just found out Mobil/Exxon isn't on the list.

My 94 Dodge, I went though 2 sending units and 2 fuel pumps. Yes the sending unit was part of the in tank pump but it could be replaced separately. Then in my last Toyota I was having driveability issues and had mostly run Mobil gas 95% of the time. It seemed to get better with Shell or the use of Techron fuel additive.

There are a number of GM TSBs on driveability issues recommending using top tier gas and also a GM fuel system cleaner (which is rebranded Techron).


That's not to say it can't be a bad sending unit as well, but they could be going bad because of the fuel being used.

 

[withac]

I didn't know that. Good info. so where can you find a list of the top tier producers?

 

[snowjay]

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:

QuikTrip
Chevron
Texaco
MFA Oil Co.
Conoco
Phillips 66
76
Entec Stations
Shell
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Co.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets
Mileage Stations
Road Ranger
Chevron Canada
Shell Canada
Petro-Canada
Sunoco Canada

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 PM ----------

I'm also not sure if all my previous problems were caused by only running Mobil, it could be a combination of things but now looking back it's pretty coincidental.


I signed up for the Shell saver card where I get 2 cents off every gallon.

 

[withac]

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:

QuikTrip
Chevron
Texaco
MFA Oil Co.
Conoco
Phillips 66
76
Entec Stations
Shell
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Co.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets
Mileage Stations
Road Ranger
Chevron Canada
Shell Canada
Petro-Canada
Sunoco Canada

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 PM ----------

I'm also not sure if all my previous problems were caused by only running Mobil, it could be a combination of things but now looking back it's pretty coincidental.


I signed up for the Shell saver card where I get 2 cents off every gallon.

Thanks. I had a Shell card too but the local Shell station changed brands. I live in a rural area so my choices are limited.

 

[snowjay]

When I get home I'll see if I can't find the TSB number and some of the other forum posts about it.

Who knows if it's hog wash or not but I'm only going to try and fill up at TTG stations from now on and keep a few bottles of Techron on hand in case I can't.

 

[Effeckt]

Well hopefully mine will clear up then as I use QuikTrip primarily. Who knows what the previous owner put in it though.

 

[snowjay]

I found one of the TSB's so you know I'm not making it up.

The GM stuff is Techron as mentioned above. If you are using a Top Tier fuel then it's really not necessary as you probably won't have this issue.


Bulletin No.: 05-00-89-078B
Date: February 06, 2008
INFORMATION
Subject:
GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS Fuel Sending Unit Corrosion and Fuel System Deposits

Models:
2008 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks (including Saturn)
2008 and Prior HUMMER H2, H3
2005-2008 Saab 9-7X

Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-00-89-078A (Section 00 - General Information).
The GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is not recommended for use with diesel fuel. The GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is specially formulated for use in gasoline and/or E85 fuels.
GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS P/N 88861011 (for U.S. ACDelco(R) use 88861013) (in Canada 88861012) is now available for use in gasoline engines.
Added Benefits and Uses
The PLUS portion of GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is the addition of a filmer additive that when used regularly can protect fuel system sending units from the corrosive effects of certain sulfur contaminants found in some of todays gasoline.
Sulfur contamination can disrupt electrical continuity of certain fuel sending units and lead to erratic or false fuel gauge readings. With scheduled usage GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS protects against the effects of harmful sulfurs in gasoline.
The Four Benefits
Just pour in one bottle of the GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS into the fuel tank when refueling around each oil change interval:
Cleans - Sulfur corrosion from fuel gauge sending units.
Prevents - Harmful sulfur components from attacking sensitive fuel system electronics.
Protects - By coating metallic surfaces of the fuel system.
Removes - Engine deposits left from use of poor quality fuels.

 

[Crazy Al]

My dad and I only ever use Chevron, unless of course it's unavailable on a roadtrip. Then we carry techron. Something to be said for good gas. He just bought an 05 Xterra, no clue what the lady put in it before he got it, but his first few tanks were mid 14mpgs, on about his 3rd tank of Chevron he's up to an 18 city average and 22+ hwy.

 

[snowjay]

If you can look up the text for TSB 03-06-04-030G it's for driveability, DTC and clogged injectors and it recommends TTG as a long term solution. Short term they are doing an injector cleaning.

---------- Post added at 04:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:20 PM ----------

My dad and I only ever use Chevron, unless of course it's unavailable on a roadtrip. Then we carry techron. Something to be said for good gas. He just bought an 05 Xterra, no clue what the lady put in it before he got it, but his first few tanks were mid 14mpgs, on about his 3rd tank of Chevron he's up to an 18 city average and 22+ hwy.

Nice. I don't have 1000 miles on the Tahoe so I don't have a huge MPG history to look back on yet with only 3 tanks of gas.

I can't get Chevron or Texaco around here so it will be Shell for me.

I think my days with Mobil are over.

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

on my 99 i always used 91 octane from Quicktrip (TTG) and I still had a failing sending unit for a couple years until i sold it.

Pat

 

[rdtahoe]

i've been running 91 for several months to help address a pinging issue and have seen no change in the fuel gauge. My understanding is that the sender is integral to the pump and they can go out. To fix it you need to replace the whole pump. I was also told, like I said, that my pump was on the way out but so far it's fine.

The guage on my '00 Tahoe LT 5.3L went out in 2005, and it was the sending unit, which was replaced under extended warranty I had on the truck. Was seperate from the fuel pump.

 

[RKitagawa]

What up fellas, I've been following your posts because I too have been experiencing the same issue. My fuel gauge jumps from empty to full all the time and it's very annoying. I am hesitant to drop the tank without checking the dash first and looking at the gauge. Reason being, if my pump was bad wouldn't I be experiencing car performance and also when starting. Car seems to be working fine

Let me know what you all find