My fuel gauge is possesed!

[IBJanky]

Everytime I'm low on fuel (about 1/4 tank left) my fuel gauge acts crazy.

It fluctuates up and down (all the way past the "F" make) over and over.

But when I fill up on gas, it acts normal again. It seems to only do it when I'm low on fuel, like 1/4 tank left.

What could it be?

[Dominic]

Yeah my Firebird and Camaro both have had fuel gauge issues, and sadly its normal.

When I stop my gauge drops 1/4 tank, and when I accel it goes up 1/4 tank if I do it hard [img]smile.gif[/img] cornering left = more fuel, cornering right = left fuel. Not to mention the gauge is a linear gauge and its measuring only the fuel level in the tank... and since our tanks are V shaped, the fuel usage appears to accelerate as you drive.

I wish I could put a calibration circuit on the fuel gauge, and somehow dampen it from reacting so quickly like it does.

[IBJanky]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dominic:
Yeah my Firebird and Camaro both have had fuel gauge issues, and sadly its normal.

When I stop my gauge drops 1/4 tank, and when I accel it goes up 1/4 tank if I do it hard [img]smile.gif[/img] cornering left = more fuel, cornering right = left fuel. Not to mention the gauge is a linear gauge and its measuring only the fuel level in the tank... and since our tanks are V shaped, the fuel usage appears to accelerate as you drive.

I wish I could put a calibration circuit on the fuel gauge, and somehow dampen it from reacting so quickly like it does.<hr></blockquote>

I can understand slight fuel level changes.

But mine is NOT normal.

It shoots from nearly empty, ALL THE WAY UP past the F mark.

That is not normal

[Ike]

Nope, shooting around like that IS normal. Not very pleasing is it?

[IBJanky]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ike:
Nope, shooting around like that IS normal. Not very pleasing is it?<hr></blockquote>

That's normal?!?!?!

How come it didn't use to happen before?

[defrag]

thats def not normal. No F-body ive been in ever has ever jumped around from E to F.

Sure it will jump around maybe half the tank but definetly wont make the full sweep.

somethings wrong, sorry i dont know what

[IBJanky]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by defrag:
thats def not normal. No F-body ive been in ever has ever jumped around from E to F.

Sure it will jump around maybe half the tank but definetly wont make the full sweep.

somethings wrong, sorry i dont know what<hr></blockquote>

yup, that's what it does...a full sweep

I can understand 1/4-1/2 tank sweep, but mine goes from E all the way past the F mark. If that plastic part wasnt there to block it, i believe it would make a full circle [img]smile.gif[/img]

[chas]

you could have a bad ground somewhere but based on your description the fuel sending unit (attached to the fuel pump of course) is going. had the same problem in a ford. read fine until about 1/2-1/3 a tank was left. after that you couldnt trust the gang. it could read practically anything. i just went by the tripmeter. i know about how much i would get every tank.

[Dekay]

This isn't normal at all. There is a sensor on the gas tank. They have to replace the sensor and/or the gas tank. Had this problem on my dad's '97 Astro. Same thing would happen. They replaced the whole tank and the sensor and that fixed it. Costs a fortune though without warranty so keep that in mind. Other than that it's harmless. Just fill the car up when it gets to a quarter tank.

[IBJanky]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dekay:
This isn't normal at all. There is a sensor on the gas tank. They have to replace the sensor and/or the gas tank. Had this problem on my dad's '97 Astro. Same thing would happen. They replaced the whole tank and the sensor and that fixed it. Costs a fortune though without warranty so keep that in mind. Other than that it's harmless. Just fill the car up when it gets to a quarter tank.<hr></blockquote>


I don't want to replace the whole gas tank just to fix the gauge ;)