00 fuel gauge issues

[ChevLoRay]

I looked at, then drove, a 2000 GMC Z71. The Low Fuel light was on, and the guage was below the "E". Since it belonged to the car lot, I hit them up for some gas money. $10 worth of regular (less than 3 gal) and the guage read past the "F". Drove it about 3 miles and it was down to a half tank. That was all I could find wrong with it. It has 180K miles, and rides/drives very nicely.

Anyway, my son-in-law bought it. He's happy except for the gas gauge. I looked on this forum and found that the sending unit is probably the best place to start. So, where is it physically located? Is it attached to the fuel pump assy? I just need to tell him where to go to look for the component.

I'm thinking that it isn't the fuel pump, nor the float, since the Low Fuel light still works, and goes off when it has enough fuel.

Any help?

I thank you for your knowledge. I spend my time on the '67-72 and 88-98 pages.

[bighaas79]

its the sending unit and it is attached to the fuel pump in the tank.

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by bighaas79

its the sending unit and it is attached to the fuel pump in the tank.

X1000, The sending unit is bad. At 180K I would definitly replace the entire pump module. Buy GM/AC delco or Delphi, Rockauto has pretty good prices.

[ChevLoRay]

Do you drop the tank or pull the bed to get to it? I have read where people dropped the tank. Just need to know so I can pass it on to Son in law. He's so happy to have a running truck that he's almost twins....and, that would be very scary...trust me.

[clinebarger]

I always pull the bed.

[ChevLoRay]

Thanks. I'll let him know.

[bighaas79]

Pulling the bed makes it easy but 90% of the trucks we get in have liners or tool boxes or toppers, 3 tons of crap in the bed, fifth wheel plates, etc. etc., so it takes longer to prep it to get it pulled than to just put it up on the hoist quick and drop the tank. Which most of the time is only like 45 min to hour and a half job to do it that way anyway.

[ChevLoRay]

Gotcha. This truck has a bed liner and probably a half-ton of tools and stuff by now. So, I'll let him know about both plans...he can take his choice.

[clinebarger]

All the bed bolts come in through the bottem, A bed liner would make no difference.

Alot of crap in the bed is another story if your using man power to lift the bed off.

I use my asymmetrical automotive lift to raise the bed so the weight is not a concern.

[bighaas79]

In this case no, the liner doesn't make any difference but we do lots of fords too, and they go thru the top, so there the liner becomes an issue.