Hello-

My 96 has an erratic fuel gauge. I have read that it could be a couple things- 1, that the sending unit is going bad, and 2, that the stepper motor behind the gauge itself is going bad. Also heard that there is a baffle in the tank that keeps the sloshing to a minimum, which I guess would help the gauge from bouncing.

I am leaning toward the sending unit being bad, simply because it isn't randomly bouncing around, but it doesn't appear accurate. It showed 3/4 of a tank the other day, and when I filled it up, it took 11 gallons- and the gauge went well past full. Not sure what size my tank is, but if it showed 3/4 and I put in 11 gal, then that would mean a 44 gal tank- and I think these only came with either a 25 gal or a 34 gal tank.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

Anyone? Anyone?

 

Almost all the time, it is the sending unit that is bad. GM did have problems with the stepper motors but that was 03-06. The ones in 96 were pretty reliable.

 

Thanks for the response. My son had a 2001, and I think we put at least 2 pumps/sending units in that one. Pain in the backside, but at least I know what I'm doing.. probably a good idea just to replace pump and sending unit anyway, since I don;t know how old this pump is..

Thanks again-
Brady

 

they arnt too hard to replace if you have someone to help. just unbolt the bed unhook the filler neck/ground and tail light wires then lift and move it down a few feet or a car lift works real good