Highpower500

I've only had my 2003 Z06 a short time and put gas in the car three times. I had the dreaded "gas gauge dropping to zero" problem during the first tank, so I did some research on this forum and learned about the Techron fix. I had already filled the tank a second time before I found out about Techron, so I drove the car until I had less than a quarter tank and added the first batch of Techron. However, the gas gauge didn't drop to zero even at a quarter tank with the second fill-up.

I just got back from a 70 mile drive and this time the fuel gauge dropped to zero at just above a half a tank.

Here is a summary of what happened:

First fill-up:- 93 octane Kwik fill gas: Gauge dropped to zero at 1/2 tank

Second fill-up: 93 Octane Sunoco gas: Gauge didn't drop to zero with a 1/4 tank left

Third fill-up: 93 Octane Sunoco gas + Techron: Gauge dropped to zero at just above 1/2 tank

I assumed that this problem would happen every time until the Techron took care of the issue. Anyone else have an intermittent problem like this?

Tom Hudson

[QUOTE=Highpower500;1577676397]I've only had my 2003 Z06 a short time and put gas in the car three times. I had the dreaded "gas gauge dropping to zero" problem during the first tank, so I did some research on this forum and learned about the Techron fix. I had already filled the tank a second time before I found out about Techron, so I drove the car until I had less than a quarter tank and added the first batch of Techron. However, the gas gauge didn't drop to zero even at a quarter tank with the second fill-up.

I just got back from a 70 mile drive and this time the fuel gauge dropped to zero at just above a half a tank.

Here is a summary of what happened:

First fill-up:- 93 octane Kwik fill gas: Gauge dropped to zero at 1/2 tank

Second fill-up: 93 Octane Sunoco gas: Gauge didn't drop to zero with a 1/4 tank left

Third fill-up: 93 Octane Sunoco gas + Techron: Gauge dropped to zero at just above 1/2 tank

I assumed that this problem would happen every time until the Techron took care of the issue. Anyone else have an intermittent problem like this?[/QUOTE
My wife’s Cadillac did this a year ago - only fix was to pay my mechanic almost a 1,000 bucks to drop the tank plus sending units?

95BlueBomber

Change this post to Who hasn't had the gas gauge problem intermittently? I am having it now, tried the techron thing, worked for a 1/2 tank. I'm guessing the wire in the sensor is broke at a certain point. It comes and goes but is really starting to get on my nerves, going to install a new sending unit soon.

Boulty1961

SeaFoam may help fix this. Run it in the gas just like Techron. People have posted that they have used both.

rws.1

There are 3 separate possibilities
1. the sensors are fouled.... you need a good fuel system cleaner.
and switch to a better gas.... www.toptiergas.com
I use Shell V-Power and have 135K miles without a gas gauge issue

2. You have a bad ground.... find it and clean it

3. One or both of your sensors is faulty... remove and replace ...
There is at least one forum DIY.... remove rear wheel and access the sensor via the wheel well....

Humy

I have a 97 that has showed this rarely (knock on wood) with Techron treatment once a year. My suggestion is use Mobil premium gas only. It is the ONLY gas I put in since 4k miles to now 70k miles, women want chocolate and flowers - cars want premium gas. 10 years going strong and of course Mobil gas is the most expensive in the Chicagoland area

Tom Hudson

I used both - didn't help in my case - tom

mstromquist

Exactly what I was going to say. Mine took about 2-3 months of using Chevron gas that has the techron in it and the bottle of the stuff to get it to work properly. Haven't had any issues for a while now but I only use the Chevron gas,

SG Lou

Pretty damn expensive here in New Jerseyland as well, along with Exxon and Sunoco !

Vetteman Jack

Sometimes it does take a few treatments to clean the sending units and make the gauge work again. I'd add another bottle at the next fill-up and see if it helps. If not, you may have a case where you need to replace the sending units.

RetiredSFC 97

Yeah, the fuel gauge in these things have a mind of their own. Mine goes up then down then up then down. But it hasn't went to zero yet. I've seafoamed and techroned.

In all my life I have never seen the weird crap like this until I bought a vette. Makes absolutely no sense.

Highpower500

I wasn't sure if this problem comes and goes or if it would happen all the time. I'll make a few more attempts at the Techron fix. The last time, I dumped in two 12 ounce bottles of Techron when I ran out of gas.

For some reason, my car thinks it only holds 13 gallons and won't transfer gas from the second tank. 13 gallons was all I could force into it when I ran out. Luckily, I was close to a gas station. If the second tank stays full and doesn't transfer to the primary tank, it makes me wonder if the Techron is even getting to both tanks.

As far as gas goes, all we have around here are Sunoco, Mobil, and some independent dealers, no Chevron.

art43

Let me just add to your dilemma. I have a 04 with about 140,000 miles it. When I first purchased the vehicle I took it back to the dealer for this problem. They removed the tanks and replaced the sensors. This helped for a while but after the warranty ran out the problem continued. I have of late been burning nothing but mobile gas. I have also put addictions through it multiple times with out much success. I have noticed one thing and that is the problem occurs mostly with warmer temperatures outside.

had2have-it

I've got a 2001, the gauge is slowly but surely getting worse. It now works properely only at around 1/2 tank. I use good gas and have spent alot on Techron additive. Not looking forward to replacing the sensors! I believe I read somewhere that code clearing or some type of DIC reset can buy some time?

RSchleder

Tom, just keep adding the Techron, it'll eventually work and much cheaper than tearing the car apart to replace the fuel sender.

Phanni

I'm going to use some of my slightly perverted logic here. The problem seems to come from deposits on the sensors in the tanks. The failure occurs at 1/2 tank range of a fillup. thus it seems the area that is corroded/depositcontaminated is near the half tank area of the sensor. Adding techron below that level likely doesn't affect the area in need.

Fill you tank add techron and check the results after you run a tank or two out of the car.

Worth a try. good luck, It took awhile for me to put this logic to use, but it worked for me.

minitech

I had the problem and Techron worked after a few months of monthly use.

I wonder if you put a pump on the gas tank to a 25 gal barrel and with Techron in the tank pump in and pump out several times to get the sensor to work the deposits off. Would be dangerous working with fuel so I'm not saying anyone should do it. Maybe some Corvette shop could put a safe setup in the shop to do it?

Phanni

Would it be dangerous?



Oh hell yes it would.
Have you ever seen a gallon of gas ignite?

Big Duk

THIS IS WIERD!! i never had the problem & added techron as a pm thing. BUT the last time i topped off my tank, i filled it till overflow by accident then my gauge went to empty w/ lights etc. if i would snap the steering wheel l&r it would correct itself then come back a min. later! after driving 40 miles it returned to normal if there is such a thing. 04 coupe