Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

eightyfive · 06-16-2011, 06:59 PM

Hey guys, this seems to be a pretty common problem and im tryin to figure it out but no luck so far. How do you fix your fuel guage being stuck on full? it happened last winter when i got a hole bunch of ice build up on the frame where all the lines and wires are running.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

eightyfive · 06-16-2011, 07:05 PM

BTW, its a 1988 gmc sierra sle 2wd with a 305.

muddyblazer02 · 06-16-2011, 11:03 PM

have you tried to take the sender out and manually push the float around to see if it changes the gauge. sometime they get stuck for whatever reason.
Ken

**Boog** · 06-16-2011, 11:10 PM

Remove and clean the ground wire from the pump to the frame first thing. The sending units are well known for acting up but most I've heard of are on later model trucks. My 97 Burb fuel gauge gives false readings and has since that pump/sending unit was put in some yrs ago. And that is a Delco pump assembly too. I would expect it from a cheapo pump. We keep up with the mileage so not to get stranded.

eightyfive · 06-19-2011, 04:13 PM

okay, which on is the ground? There is one single wire and then 4 other wires on one "junction"

speedygonzales · 06-20-2011, 06:36 AM

The sending unit goes from a low resistance at empty to a high resistance when full. A gauge pegged full usually indicates a "break" in the signal wire. The break is obviously a high resistance thus the full reading.

I would ohm the signal wire from the sending unit back to the gauge with no voltage applied. Obviously.

May take 2 people and a spool of extra wire to do it.

benoit454 · 06-20-2011, 12:39 PM

the ground is the single one, check it for breaks and things like that clean it and the sending unit to make sure it has good contact, also check the fuse. I had one stay stuck on 1/4 once in a monte carlo and it turns out the fuse was blown.

eightyfive · 06-21-2011, 12:16 AM

allright, thanks for the help guys

06-16-2011, 06:59 PM	#1
eightyfive Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Swan River Manitoba Canada Posts: 233	Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! Hey guys, this seems to be a pretty common problem and im tryin to figure it out but no luck so far. How do you fix your fuel guage being stuck on full? it happened last winter when i got a hole bunch of ice build up on the frame where all the lines and wires are running. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! __________________ parts truck- 1982 suburban GMC Sierra Classic first project- 1985 GMC Sierra Classic first truck- 1988 GMC Sierra sle "New" Hot rod 1999 Chevy silverado 5.3L ^^^ Workin my way up the food chain

06-16-2011, 07:05 PM	#2
eightyfive Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Swan River Manitoba Canada Posts: 233	Re: Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! BTW, its a 1988 gmc sierra sle 2wd with a 305. __________________ parts truck- 1982 suburban GMC Sierra Classic first project- 1985 GMC Sierra Classic first truck- 1988 GMC Sierra sle "New" Hot rod 1999 Chevy silverado 5.3L ^^^ Workin my way up the food chain

06-16-2011, 11:03 PM	#3
muddyblazer02 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 50	Re: Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! have you tried to take the sender out and manually push the float around to see if it changes the gauge. sometime they get stuck for whatever reason. Ken __________________ truck junkie

06-16-2011, 11:10 PM	#4
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,513	Re: Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! Remove and clean the ground wire from the pump to the frame first thing. The sending units are well known for acting up but most I've heard of are on later model trucks. My 97 Burb fuel gauge gives false readings and has since that pump/sending unit was put in some yrs ago. And that is a Delco pump assembly too. I would expect it from a cheapo pump. We keep up with the mileage so not to get stranded. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

06-19-2011, 04:13 PM	#5
eightyfive Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Swan River Manitoba Canada Posts: 233	Re: Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! okay, which on is the ground? There is one single wire and then 4 other wires on one "junction" __________________ parts truck- 1982 suburban GMC Sierra Classic first project- 1985 GMC Sierra Classic first truck- 1988 GMC Sierra sle "New" Hot rod 1999 Chevy silverado 5.3L ^^^ Workin my way up the food chain

06-20-2011, 06:36 AM	#6
speedygonzales Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Smithfield, VA Posts: 1,501	Re: Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! The sending unit goes from a low resistance at empty to a high resistance when full. A gauge pegged full usually indicates a "break" in the signal wire. The break is obviously a high resistance thus the full reading. I would ohm the signal wire from the sending unit back to the gauge with no voltage applied. Obviously. May take 2 people and a spool of extra wire to do it. __________________ 99 Z71 (98 body style) Pride and joy

06-20-2011, 12:39 PM	#7
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! the ground is the single one, check it for breaks and things like that clean it and the sending unit to make sure it has good contact, also check the fuse. I had one stay stuck on 1/4 once in a monte carlo and it turns out the fuse was blown. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

06-21-2011, 12:16 AM	#8
eightyfive Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Swan River Manitoba Canada Posts: 233	Re: Fuel guage stuck on full. HELP! allright, thanks for the help guys __________________ parts truck- 1982 suburban GMC Sierra Classic first project- 1985 GMC Sierra Classic first truck- 1988 GMC Sierra sle "New" Hot rod 1999 Chevy silverado 5.3L ^^^ Workin my way up the food chain

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