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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Midland Texas
Posts: 51
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Gas guage problems..
I thought I remembered seeing a thread on troubleshooting gas guage problems, but cant seem to find it so I thought I'd run my question by ya'll.
I have a 1987 silverado and the gas gauge shows 1/4 to 3/8 full when the tank is completely full. This is for both tanks. When it shows empty the tank is empty. Any idea where to start? Thanks for any help. Ryan |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Gas guage problems..
This topic has a lot of discussion here, but it all boils down to:
Check the grounds from the sending units. Check the selector switch. Check the fuel gauge. If your gauge reads identically on both tanks, then I say go for the gauge. My take - remove/replace the gauge without getting dirty (takes about 20 minutes to check) - cost about $50-$60. Assuming you don't find any loose wires under the truck, this is the way I would go. |
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#3 |
Getting Old; Going Broke
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Owasso OK
Posts: 2,764
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Re: Gas guage problems..
Sounds like a good time to replace the sending unit to me. Your truck will probably thank you for the new pickup filter in the tank anyways. Just my .03 though (inflation).
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Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette? There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good." When the going gets tough, switch to power tools. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Whiteside, Missouri
Posts: 25
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Re: Gas guage problems..
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Midland Texas
Posts: 51
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Re: Gas guage problems..
Sending unit is what I'm afraid of lol. Lots of money to be spent on those. Thanks for the help guys, hopefully next weekend I can start trouble shooting.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lafayette, IN
Posts: 621
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Re: Gas guage problems..
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Gas guage problems..
Both sending units go bad at the same time? If so, maybe it is the gauge. If you can get your hands on a known working gauge to temporarily replace yours, that will save you the hassle of dropping the tanks (assuming the sending units are OK.) Of course, check the grounds on the sending units first.
Aftermarket Spectra brand sending units are about $40-$50 each, but they cause the gas gauge needle to bounce on acceleration, stopping, turns, etc. AC Delco gauges don't do that, but they are about $140-$160 each. |
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#8 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,287
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Re: Gas guage problems..
check the grounds before you do anything those are the usual culprits on stuff like that
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#9 | |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,950
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Re: Gas guage problems..
Quote:
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Gas guage problems..
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#11 | |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,950
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Re: Gas guage problems..
Quote:
Here's a link to some discussion on an electronics board about building a simple anti-slosh circuit for a 1960's Italian car. http://www.discovercircuits.com/ubbt...er=6590&page=1 I would guess GM used mechanical damping on the actual movement of the sender arm. F*&d used a simple circuit on the gauge panel with cheaper senders. |
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