I filled up with gas 3 days ago and have drive just over 300 miles the gauge has finally started to show less than 1/2 a tank...somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 but closer to 1/2. I did a lot of expressway driving and I suppose I could 3-4 gallons top left in the tank maybe only 2 gallons.

GM lists the sender at $55- GM partsdirect at 1/2 that, Auto Zone $200. not cheap!

1. it seems like my sender/fuel level control is working but is out of range. Is there a way to adjust the gauge itself?. When I fill up all the way it reads way past full..so it'* like it'* a 1/4 of a tank off to the gauge form the get-go.

2. If I put a new or even a salvage yard sender in..what are the chances I'll have the same problem? mybe niot as bad but still rather inaccurate

3. Is there any benifit to cleaning the sensor/wiper and re-installing it. Has anyone had any luck with anything along the line of cleaning the sensor?

I have been plannig on dropping the tank and pullling the sender this weekend..I guess I having some second thoughts on what I can accomplish buy doing it.

Spit

If it is just starting with a problem, you could try the fuel system treatment from GM listed in this technical service bulletin.

Fuel System - GM Fuel System Treatment Plus(R)

I'm thinking you're beyond the stages of non-intrusive repair of the fuel level sensor based on the information you've provided, but I guess it would be worth a try first before removing the fuel tank and all that. Actually, thanks Archon for reminding me, I should pick up some of the fuel additive for my rig as preventive maintenance.

I'm thinking that it may be too late for that, too as I don't think anyone has reported back that it solved their problem, even though GM indicates that it may in their TSB. Me being the lazy sort, would find it worth the $5 or so (a guess) to have to keep from dropping the tank.

I have to remember to pick some up, also. I've been to the dealer 3 times recently for some parts, and I have yet to remember.

I got a used sending unit with a fuel pump from a Salvage yard on Saturday for $20. Using the information I got from this site about the 0 to 90 ohm range on the sensor, I checked it with a Volt-Ohm meter before I bought it and it seemed to be pretty darn accurate in terms of the range of movement of the float arm to the Ohms readings I was getting. I reused my existing fuel pump as I knew it was good and I didn't want to take a chance on the Salvage yard one. As soon as I got it installed I started to get a near empty reading on the gauge...first time I had seen that in a few weeks!! I fillled up the tank and the gauge seemed to move gradually to Full.

I guess I'm going to reset my odometer and watch it for the next few days...but it looks like a successful operation. Many thanks to everyone who responded to my posts, and many thanks to all the great topics already on this site. This is the best auto repair info site I have ever visited The qualiy of the information is fantastic.

You know one thing I did notice as I was switching over the fuel pumps was that the wide gray do-nut type seal at the top of the pump,that seals the pump to the aluminum tube appeared to have a split, so I switched the seal from the salvage pump which was not split. Now it seems like the fuel system holds it'* pressure much longer after shutting the car down than it did before. I wonder if this seal was a problem maybe letting gas back through the supply line into the tank after the car was shut off?


Spit