Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..??

thepunkerguy · 01-05-2008, 07:50 PM

Alright, well I have a '96 blazer and the fuel gauge was floating horribly, it would go up when on the gas (as the fuel sloshes back) and down when i stopped (as the fuel sloshed forward) and then sometimes the gauge would just short out and go all the way to full. I then bought a new fuel level sensor and float and installed in on the sending unit, put it all back together and it still floats like crazy! I'll have 3/4 of a tank one minute when on the gas and then when i stop i am back down to 1/4 of a tank. What the heck?? Is this just the way the 95-97 trucks are, even with new sensors? I know my 98 doesn't float like that. I thought the computer was supposed to compensate for quick changes in fuel level like that and average it before it sent a reading to the gauge... confused

- Mike

chevyrules05 · 01-05-2008, 11:49 PM

It is not the sensor it the whole fuel pump my blazer was doing that and had to have the whole fuel pump system replaced for about $420.

thepunkerguy · 01-06-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by chevyrules05

It is not the sensor it the whole fuel pump my blazer was doing that and had to have the whole fuel pump system replaced for about $420.

The fuel pump was replaced about a month ago with a brand new one. I think you are referring to the entire sending unit assembly, but I don't see how that makes any difference considering it is just plastic and has 1 emission sensor on the top of it. The connector for the fuel level sensor plugs into the top of the sending unit, but all that does is strait transfer those wires to the plug on the top of the sending unit. I am really confused on this one!
- Mike

***philntx*** · 01-07-2008, 12:37 PM

Try cleaning your grounding connections to the unit.

thepunkerguy · 01-07-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by philntx

Try cleaning your grounding connections to the unit.

Good Idea, I'll give that a shot
- Mike

cpolaris502 · 01-07-2008, 12:55 PM

most likely its the sending unit, its a very common problem. mine did it and i got a whole new unit from ebay for $150 new. been running it since june.

thepunkerguy · 01-07-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cpolaris502

most likely its the sending unit, its a very common problem. mine did it and i got a whole new unit from ebay for $150 new. been running it since june.

There is nothing to the actual sending unit, it is just a piece of plastic, the entire sensor and pump (everything not plastic) has been replaced on it. I dont understand how changing a piece of plastic would make a difference....
- Mike

cpolaris502 · 01-07-2008, 09:12 PM

oh, ok. i wasnt sure what all the different parts of it are.

01-05-2008, 07:50 PM	#1
thepunkerguy Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,256 Location: St. Augustine, FL User is: OffLine	Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? Alright, well I have a '96 blazer and the fuel gauge was floating horribly, it would go up when on the gas (as the fuel sloshes back) and down when i stopped (as the fuel sloshed forward) and then sometimes the gauge would just short out and go all the way to full. I then bought a new fuel level sensor and float and installed in on the sending unit, put it all back together and it still floats like crazy! I'll have 3/4 of a tank one minute when on the gas and then when i stop i am back down to 1/4 of a tank. What the heck?? Is this just the way the 95-97 trucks are, even with new sensors? I know my 98 doesn't float like that. I thought the computer was supposed to compensate for quick changes in fuel level like that and average it before it sent a reading to the gauge... confused - Mike
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01-05-2008, 11:49 PM	#2
chevyrules05 it happens Age: 20 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,115 Location: Disney World FL User is: OffLine	Re: Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? It is not the sensor it the whole fuel pump my blazer was doing that and had to have the whole fuel pump system replaced for about $420.
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01-06-2008, 01:36 PM	#3
thepunkerguy Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,256 Location: St. Augustine, FL User is: OffLine	Re: Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? Quote: Originally Posted by chevyrules05 It is not the sensor it the whole fuel pump my blazer was doing that and had to have the whole fuel pump system replaced for about $420. The fuel pump was replaced about a month ago with a brand new one. I think you are referring to the entire sending unit assembly, but I don't see how that makes any difference considering it is just plastic and has 1 emission sensor on the top of it. The connector for the fuel level sensor plugs into the top of the sending unit, but all that does is strait transfer those wires to the plug on the top of the sending unit. I am really confused on this one! - Mike
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-07-2008, 12:37 PM	#4
*philntx* Build them right....Mod Age: 54 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,123 Location: Plano TX User is: OffLine	Re: Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? Try cleaning your grounding connections to the unit.
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01-07-2008, 12:52 PM	#5
thepunkerguy Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,256 Location: St. Augustine, FL User is: OffLine	Re: Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? Quote: Originally Posted by philntx Try cleaning your grounding connections to the unit. Good Idea, I'll give that a shot - Mike
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01-07-2008, 12:55 PM	#6
cpolaris502 The Dreamsicle Age: 20 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16,052 Location: Rogers, MN User is: OffLine	Re: Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? most likely its the sending unit, its a very common problem. mine did it and i got a whole new unit from ebay for $150 new. been running it since june.
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01-07-2008, 01:22 PM	#7
thepunkerguy Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,256 Location: St. Augustine, FL User is: OffLine	Re: Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? Quote: Originally Posted by cpolaris502 most likely its the sending unit, its a very common problem. mine did it and i got a whole new unit from ebay for $150 new. been running it since june. There is nothing to the actual sending unit, it is just a piece of plastic, the entire sensor and pump (everything not plastic) has been replaced on it. I dont understand how changing a piece of plastic would make a difference.... - Mike
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01-07-2008, 09:12 PM	#8
cpolaris502 The Dreamsicle Age: 20 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16,052 Location: Rogers, MN User is: OffLine	Re: Fuel gauge floats badly even after putting in a new sensor..?? oh, ok. i wasnt sure what all the different parts of it are.
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