Problems with pump gas and fuel tank sending units

[S10Wildside]

Last week I started my Silverado SS and it beeped at me while displaying "Low Fuel" in the convenience center. This was strange because I filled the tank the day before. Seconds later, the gauge jerkingly went up to full tank. I started logging how much gas I was using and noticed that the gauge didn't move from full until I went through about 9 gallons of gas. Now it fluctuates between 3/4 and full tank.

I called my local GM service department and was told that GM is having a problem with the newer fuel tank sending units and today's gasoline. The gas is eating away at the contacts on the sending unit. He told me that GM is working with the fuel manufacturers to come up with a solution. In the mean time they'll replace my sending unit with one that will eventually go bad again. My truck has 11,000 miles on it. He told me this because I wanted to keep the bad part (for the high pressure fuel pump), but was told is has to go back to GM for "investigation".

Anyone else hear about this? This is news to me.

[FLATOP08]

Very common problem with the trucks. Did they replace the whole fuel sending unit or just the fuel level sensor on the fuel sending unit?

[S10Wildside]

Originally posted by FLATOP08@May 10 2004, 07:33 AM
Very common problem with the trucks. Did they replace the whole fuel sending unit or just the fuel level sensor on the fuel sending unit?

I'll be taking it on on Wednesday. Hopefully the level sensor is serviced separately. I know on my 97 Sonoma the whole unit had to be replaced.

[goshawk23]

i have this problem too in my truck. it is very very very aggrivating(sp) to say the least. mine basically bounces around and hovers on E when i am at idle. when in motion it does (for the most part) what it is supposed to do. i was gonna replace it, but i'll wait for a good part that won't go bad on me come out.

[fullthrottledan]

same here, my sending unit never worked right, and then the pump just went out the other day, so i replaced them together and its not cheap either--->no warranty

[goshawk23]

how much did it end up setting you back for both things. i know i am gonna be doing the fuel sending unit soon and kinda want an idea to the cost. thanks ia

[Dark Knight]

I think that they are feeding you some BS about the gas eating away at the contacts. I think it is more likely that they are useing the wrong materials for their sending units. Cuz if it were the gas then why isn't it eating other things up on its way to and through the engine??? Oh and further proof that it is all GM is the fact that they have had this problem for a while across the entire truck line. Hell even my Blazer's sending unit hasn't worked in two years.