My gauge cluster is crazy

[andresco50]

Maybe 2 years ago my cluster began to measure different... When I´m running at 1300 rpm it mrks 4000 and the speedometer is crazy too it marks 120 mph every time ..in my 2003 4wd 1500 silvy ?

[Joe67]

Very common issue with the 1999-2003 trucks, fuel sending unit is going out.

Have that replaced and you'll be in business

[bwood]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=293567

Check out this thread, what you describe is exactly what happened with outs at work. We would be running along at about 1300 rpm and then it would jump up and show something crazy like 4k or higher. The speedo began to do the same thing.

[Blue_71]

how many miles do you have on it? 03 and 04 trucks have a special policy warranty on them untill 70,000 miles. tell the service advisor your speedometer is fluctuating

[andresco50]

I replaced the cluster yesterday ($420) and the fuel gauge is dead, I installed a new fuel pump and a new fuel level sending sensor to be sure!!! it have 120k miles

[Ironhorse]

Read this posting with some interest as I am having problems with the fuel gauge on our '99 Tahoe with the 5.3L and 81,000 miles on the clock. When fuel gauge is reading low at the 1/4 mark or maybe little less adding $20-$30 worth of gas will bring it way past the 3/4 mark and settles down to a lower reading as you drive. I know that doesn't buy that much gas nowdays at $3.90 a gal. Local Chevy dealer says new sending unit which I can agree with but also says replace fule pump at same time? Good advice or just trying to sell us both pump and sending unit? Should I get a pump/sending unit from local O'reilly's or go with dealer unit at a higher price? These newer trucks aren't what this ol' wrench bender is accustomed to.

[andresco50]

Yea.. maybe.. now i have a new cluster and a complete new fuel pump... I'll check the wiring on the truck

[Blue_71]

ironhorse; on a 99, you should be able to get a seperate fuel level sender. a sending UNIT however, only comes with the pump made to it

[Ironhorse]

Blue_71, Since it is a '99 with 81,000 on the clock should I spring for just a fuel level sender or the complete unit with the pump attached. Never had much experience with the newer style trucks so am learning as I go. In your experience with a situation like an eratic fuel gauge, would you recommend just the sender or the sender/pump combination?

[bwood]

I am thinking the 99 Tahoe is the same body as the 88-98 trucks and it should have a 5.7L. If so, it has been my experience with these that the sending unit is removable from the pump, but if you are going to that much trouble just replace the whole thing with a pump from the dealer. Aftermarket pump are too hit and miss and with it being a Tahoe, you have to drop the tank to get to the assembly. The sending unit on my 98 did the same thing so I replaced the whole assembly with an aftermarket unit and replaced it again with an OEM unit.

[Blue_71]

honestly if its still working, just because of the shear price of the pump "module" (pump and sending unit assembly) i would just get the fuel level sender.. thats what i did on my moms 2000 jimmy with 96,000 miles when the fuel gauge went nutty