Question about fuel level sending unit

[U-Bob]

The usual problem. Gas gauge jumps around on my 98 Blazer.

My searches leave me with a couple of questions. Is the unit on this year able to be bought separate, or do you have to buy the pump/level sensor as a package?
Anyone have the P/N? I THINK it might be 19121304, but if I order I want to be sure.
How bad is this to replace? Dropping the gas tank sounds like fun. If the pickup is attached to the tank, how easy is it to drain it? I can't trust the gauge to tell me when it's low.

bb

[SmokeeJay]

My gauge floats really bad on my 01 Blazer. If I put the truck in neutral and hit the brakes, it goes up about a 1/4 of the gauge. Every chevrolet I have ever owned did this. My Camaro's did it really bad.

[96blazer]

Just to add some info, make sure you get the correct one. The 2drs and 4drs each have their own, they are different.

[pack of q tips]

the problem with the newer trucks isnt so much that it jumps around its that it stops sending a signal at idle i'll drop to completly empty and then when i start moving it goes back to where it should be i think you have to replace the whole sending unit i havent done it yet cause its like 300 bucks and i can deal with a jumpy gauge

[U-Bob]

Thanks for the replies, but I still didn't get any of the original questions in my post answered.

Verify correct P/N for 98 2 door 4wd.

Anyone replaced it lately and can give me some helpful hints on how difficult it is.

It's my wife's Blazer so I'm willing to spend the cash on the part to make sure she doesn't get stranded somewhere.

[cpolaris502]

i just changed out my entire sending unit on my 99 2dr. its not too bad to do but ive had y tank out before so i knew how it came out. it helps a lot to have the tank emtpy, there really is no way to drain it though.

first thing to do it disconect the filler neck from the body, then put a jack under the tank and take off the straps from under the tank. then as you lower the jack down you will need to wrestle with the filler neck and once the tank get low enough where you can reach above it you will need to disconnect the fuel lines and wires. have a wrag handy because gas will come out of the lines since it is pressurized. then lower the tank down all the way and remove it from the truck. the pump is held in with a single ring on top, you will see how it works. then reinstall in reverse order.

you may know some of that stuff already but i just made sure to make it detailed to not leave stuff out, plus, maybe i can link this post in the future for others.

i got my pump on ebay for 150 bucks, ive had in in for close to 1000miles and theres nothing wrong with it yet. i got it to fix my gas gauge and it works great now.

[U-Bob]

Cory,
That's excellent information, thanks! Knowing the information and having someone that has done it is two different things. All of that was very good.

So you replaced the pump and the fuel sensor. Was your fuel pump bad? I'm also wanting to verify that on our vehicles (yours should be the same) that the sensor can be purchased as a separate part.

[cpolaris502]

the fuel pump always worked just not the gas gauge. Im not sure if the parts can be bought separate, ive always seen them together.

i did figure out how they go bad while i had the old one out. You know how slot car remotes have that piece of metal that slides across the coil? It's somewhat like that on the float. as the float goes up and down, on the opposite side there is some metal that slides across a plate that reads the resistance, kind of like the slot car remote. Well the bushing that the float rotates on gets worn out and then it wobbles too, causing the opposite end to come off of the plate, so it looses the connection.

[Zeke]

Quote: Originally Posted by cpolaris502

i just changed out my entire sending unit on my 99 2dr. its not too bad to do but ive had y tank out before so i knew how it came out. it helps a lot to have the tank emtpy, there really is no way to drain it though.

first thing to do it disconect the filler neck from the body, then put a jack under the tank and take off the straps from under the tank. then as you lower the jack down you will need to wrestle with the filler neck and once the tank get low enough where you can reach above it you will need to disconnect the fuel lines and wires. have a wrag handy because gas will come out of the lines since it is pressurized. then lower the tank down all the way and remove it from the truck. the pump is held in with a single ring on top, you will see how it works. then reinstall in reverse order.

you may know some of that stuff already but i just made sure to make it detailed to not leave stuff out, plus, maybe i can link this post in the future for others.

i got my pump on ebay for 150 bucks, ive had in in for close to 1000miles and theres nothing wrong with it yet. i got it to fix my gas gauge and it works great now.

Im in the process of changing my pump/sender at the moment. Im stuck though because my fuel lines have the "quick fittings" connectors on them. Manual says I need a special tool. Will something besides that special tool work to disconnect the fitting?

[cpolaris502]

you dont need a special tool although im sure it would make it easier. I think i used a needle nose on mine to squeeze in the tabs.

[dak]

my index finger and thumb did the trick lol

[blackandblue]

The only way to get the 2 pieces seperate is to go to a dealership. Wich is still cheaper than $300. As mentioned above, make sure you get the one for your truck, the 2dr and the 4dr are diffrent due to the size diffrence in the tank, and the design of the tank.