Ok - I love Bonnevilles, I've had 4 over the past 15 years. My 2002 has a messed up gauge. It seems to work until it hits half and then it bounces back up to near full even when tank is almost empty. I now use the trip odometer to tell when to fill up again!

Last week, we inherited a '97 with 110k miles. Fuel gauage showed near full. Because I'm paranoid now, I took it to gas station - it took 16.2 gallons! (what is the capacity?)

Anyway, why are these gauage so messed up? Didn't Pontiac learn anything before they made the last models like my 2002?

Frustrated!

the 97 is 18 gals, mine does the same thing now. works till gauge show half and stays there till about 1 gal left, then falls to empty.

luckily your 2002 can be repaired through trunk access. the 97, you have to pull the tank

Hey, fellow 'Hawker!

The fuel guages are problematic from 1996 and newer Bonnevilles.

In both of your cases, the fuel level sensor is suspect. There'* a thread in the 2000-2005 forum on how to repair the level sensor.

Here'* the thread:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...718&highlight=

My guage acted up in my 99 for about 10K miles. It was driving me nuts so I finally bought a new level sensor assembly and pump.

That was before the "fix" was found.

well I am not sure how many miles are on your 02 se but on my 02 sle it is doing the same thng and started around 95k

It seems to be more age dependant than mileage. Mine started acting up at 110K when the car was 5 years old.

Started at around 98k (I now have 101k on the 2002). Vital49 is probably c orrect that it is mileage and not age related. I read the threads for fixing (thanks Vital49!) and If the whole fix only takes 40 minutes, I may just take it to a local mechanic. He charges $30 per hour and could probably do it fairly quickly.

My gas / temp / oil all bounce around like a alt meter on my 93,the only one that works right is the boost gauge... :P

I didn't take the time to read the linked thread again, but did it mention the GM fuel additive that can be tried for the newer ones to see if it will fix it, before replacing the sender? I understand the additive can be purchaed at your local dealer and just might save a few hundred dollars.

I called GM dealership last night and they wanted $22 for a bottle of fuel additive and they said they didn't know if it would fix the problem...

So I went to Auto Zone (a parts chain in this area) and they had a fuel cleaner for $10 per bottle and it says right on the bottle it can fix clogged fuel- level sensors. For $10, I took a gamble...I'll keep you posted if it works.