Gas Guage Fluctuates

[covetsthesun]

Hi all, Just got back from a 10 day trip. The last 2-3 days the gas guage started fluctuating from full to zero and points in between. We resorted to relying on the trip meter to let us know when to fill up. This happened years ago when Shell put some additive in their gas that messed up sensors or sending switch or something like that... but the result was the same.. gas guage fluctuation.

Not sure what happened this time. Going to the dealer tomorrow for OC and to check this out.

I'd really appreciate some advice before going to the dealer in the morning. DH wants to ignore it and just use the trip meter. I like things to work like they're supposed to.

So..what could this be and what costs could I be looking at?

Thanks all!

cts

[covetsthesun]

It's only the gas gauge at this point. Sometimes it works..and then suddenly it doesn't. It goes from empty to half to full... depending on how much gas we put in.

At this point I'm hoping for a loose wire...

thanks

cts

[carringb]

ib516 wrote:
Try googling the term "stepper motor". Might be your truck's problem. It's a common issue with that vintage of GM truck.

I agree. If only one gauge is erratic, and it's moving to the extremes, that stepper motor is bad.

There are a few companies that will rebuild them. If you send it in, its best to rebuild it fully, as others will probably follow suit.

A GM reman cluster is only a little bit more, once they get the core back. This is the route I took for customers.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

It may be as simple as a bad ground wire for the dash cluster.

[covetsthesun]

I was afraid this was going to be expensive. What causes this? Can cold weather or bad gas cause this kind of problem? Seeing the dealer tomorrow and not thrilled at shelling out a bunch of bucks at this point. Wondering if it would be better to go to an independent of some sort.

cts

[1oldtruck]

Sounds like the fuel gauge sending unit. Mine went bad several years ago and did the same thing. Replacement requires dropping the gas tank or removing the bed.

My stepper motor also went out. It affected the speed odometer. I took my gauge cluster to a local repair shop for $125 and had it rebuilt.

[ib516]

Try googling the term "stepper motor". Might be your truck's problem. It's a common issue with that vintage of GM truck.

[covetsthesun]

Miles Away wrote:
Year, make, & model of vehicle would be helpful in answering your question.

Wow is my brain fried from this trip! 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500 over 200k miles.

sorry...cts

[Miles_Away]

Year, make, & model of vehicle would be helpful in answering your question.