Fuel gauge question

[withac]

I have a 2000 ‘Ho with the 5.3. My gas gauge has been acting squirrelly but it’s not consistent and it’s not all the time. A few weeks ago it dropped but not to empty, just from maybe ¾ to ¼, or something like that, then it would slowly make its way back up. This happened more than once. Now, with about a ¼ of a tank it will drop, not till it hits rock bottom, but it will get to the E and the Low Fuel light will come on. In a post in a thread somewhere it was stated that the fuel gauge sender is integral with the fuel pump on these things and when the sender is going out your pump will too. Even when the needle drops and the Low Fuel light comes on it runs fine, no hesitation, no codes thrown or anything to indicate it’s not getting enough fuel. I suppose if there was a problem it would only show if the vehicle were scanned while it was exhibiting the problem, right? I ask because I just had my cable tune done by Justin two weeks ago and the pre and post tune data didn’t indicate any problems with fuel pressure. Is it possible for just the sender to go out and the pump to continue to be fine? Is it possible that it’s not the sender at all but the gauge?

Thoughts, ideas?

Thanks.

 

[withac]

Just now when I started it up the gauge jumps to 1/4, then worked it's way up to half, then wandered back down to 1/4 then worked it's way back to 1/2, then back to 1/4. It's not a smooth movement, it kinda moves a little and slows or stops then moves a little. I feel pretty safe in thinking it has about 1/4 of a tank in it.

Waddya think?

 

[DarkTahoe00]

Hey Withac, Yes it is intergraded with fuel pump. When it starts doing that its only a matter of time before fuel pump gives on you!I've got 2000 Hoe as well and BB tune I went to Minn to meet Justin to have it done now mind you mine had been doing this for long while,Justin did my tune and he told me everything check out perfect,now on my way home it started to give on me started spitting sputtering and then it gave 45 miles from home!!! So I replaced the fuel pump and Bam it took care of the fuel gauge problem and I could really tell the difference in throttle response!

 

[withac]

Hey Withac, Yes it is intergraded with fuel pump. When it starts doing that its only a matter of time before fuel pump gives on you!I've got 2000 Hoe as well and BB tune I went to Minn to meet Justin to have it done now mind you mine had been doing this for long while,Justin did my tune and he told me everything check out perfect,now on my way home it started to give on me started spitting sputtering and then it gave 45 miles from home!!! So I replaced the fuel pump and Bam it took care of the fuel gauge problem and I could really tell the difference in throttle response!

Damnit, that's not what I wanted to hear, but what I was afraid of. I really can't afford a fuel pump right now, I looked, they don't give those away. So the fact it seems to run just fine, even under heavy acceleration when the gauge is on E and the Low Fuel light is on doesn't really mean anything?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[DarkTahoe00]

Unfortunately no it could last you another few days to couple weeks or months! Just remember its electronic and we all know how unpredictable electronics can be! Sorry I know how feel it sucks something bad!

 

[withac]

Looking at pumps on Checker online one of them has this description

Module Assembly; Includes Fuel Pump, Sender, Float, Strainer and Fuel Reservoir; w/ Module Code TDB; w/o Robust Fuel System Sender

What is a "Robust Fuel System Sender"?

 

[withac]

It sounds like this is a common problem. I don't suppose there is a recall or service bulletin or anything relating to it is there?

 

[DarkTahoe00]

Not that I know of! You can check the stealership to see if they got any info on it!