Service Fuel System - Fuel Gauge Dies
04-09-2005, 12:37 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Service Fuel System - Fuel Gauge Dies
I just filled up my tank this evening and got back into the car and started it up only to get a "Service Fuel System" warning in the DIC and the fuel gauge wouldn't go above empty.
I checked the fuel cap, etc, and restarted the car about 4 times and the fuel gauge eventually started at mid-full, where it was at when I started fueling, and then started moving up to full at about 1/10th of the gauge per 10 seconds. Within a minute, it was full and the warning was gone.
Anyone else had this happen?
I checked the fuel cap, etc, and restarted the car about 4 times and the fuel gauge eventually started at mid-full, where it was at when I started fueling, and then started moving up to full at about 1/10th of the gauge per 10 seconds. Within a minute, it was full and the warning was gone.
Anyone else had this happen?
04-09-2005, 12:56 AM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by DP Dave
I had the same thing (700 miles on the car) happen. It was the Fuel Guage Sending Unit. It was replaced and all is well. I did switch to a Top Tier gasoline.
I'm going to wait for the gauge to take a complete cr#p before I brave the GM service gauntlet. Wish me luck.
Thank you for the response!
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LS WON (04-07-2023)
04-09-2005, 01:07 AM
#4
Safety Car
Originally Posted by DebtCraft
I just filled up my tank this evening and got back into the car and started it up only to get a "Service Fuel System" warning in the DIC and the fuel gauge wouldn't go above empty.
I checked the fuel cap, etc, and restarted the car about 4 times and the fuel gauge eventually started at mid-full, where it was at when I started fueling, and then started moving up to full at about 1/10th of the gauge per 10 seconds. Within a minute, it was full and the warning was gone.
Anyone else had this happen?
I checked the fuel cap, etc, and restarted the car about 4 times and the fuel gauge eventually started at mid-full, where it was at when I started fueling, and then started moving up to full at about 1/10th of the gauge per 10 seconds. Within a minute, it was full and the warning was gone.
Anyone else had this happen?
I've had no further problem in 6500 miles.
...OR, it could have just been a loose gas cap issue...did you have the ignition on while the gas cap was off?
Last edited by ZL-1; 04-09-2005 at 01:13 AM.
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LS WON (04-07-2023)
04-09-2005, 01:11 AM
#5
Pro
About once per month I respond to a "Service Fuel System" thread here in the forum. Here is the deal:
1) This has nothing to do with the quality of the gas.
2) This is a well know issue to GM and they have issued a service bulletin to their dealers.
3) These failures are due to a faulty Fuel Sensor Unit (FSU).
When you take your car to the dealer, do NOT let him remove the tank to check the FSU, they can do that with the tank still installed. Once they have verified it is a faulty FSU, they can order a new one. If they remove the tank before ordering the FSU, your car will sit on their hoist with the tank on the floor for up to a week waiting for a new FSU... I learned this the hard way.
Mine was replaced at 250 miles, I now have 3000 miles and no further problems.
Good luck.
1) This has nothing to do with the quality of the gas.
2) This is a well know issue to GM and they have issued a service bulletin to their dealers.
3) These failures are due to a faulty Fuel Sensor Unit (FSU).
When you take your car to the dealer, do NOT let him remove the tank to check the FSU, they can do that with the tank still installed. Once they have verified it is a faulty FSU, they can order a new one. If they remove the tank before ordering the FSU, your car will sit on their hoist with the tank on the floor for up to a week waiting for a new FSU... I learned this the hard way.
Mine was replaced at 250 miles, I now have 3000 miles and no further problems.
Good luck.
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LS WON (04-07-2023)
04-09-2005, 01:25 AM
#6
Safety Car
Originally Posted by digbyamb
About once per month I respond to a "Service Fuel System" thread here in the forum. Here is the deal:
1) This has nothing to do with the quality of the gas.
2) This is a well know issue to GM and they have issued a service bulletin to their dealers.
3) These failures are due to a faulty Fuel Sensor Unit (FSU).
When you take your car to the dealer, do NOT let him remove the tank to check the FSU, they can do that with the tank still installed. Once they have verified it is a faulty FSU, they can order a new one. If they remove the tank before ordering the FSU, your car will sit on their hoist with the tank on the floor for up to a week waiting for a new FSU... I learned this the hard way.
Mine was replaced at 250 miles, I now have 3000 miles and no further problems.
Good luck.
1) This has nothing to do with the quality of the gas.
2) This is a well know issue to GM and they have issued a service bulletin to their dealers.
3) These failures are due to a faulty Fuel Sensor Unit (FSU).
When you take your car to the dealer, do NOT let him remove the tank to check the FSU, they can do that with the tank still installed. Once they have verified it is a faulty FSU, they can order a new one. If they remove the tank before ordering the FSU, your car will sit on their hoist with the tank on the floor for up to a week waiting for a new FSU... I learned this the hard way.
Mine was replaced at 250 miles, I now have 3000 miles and no further problems.
Good luck.
04-09-2005, 01:38 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
High sulphur gas. Had 5 sending units changed in my C5's before I switched gas. Just switched to the cheap stuff this week, having a hard time justfying 3.05 a gallon so will wait for the fuel gauge problem. You can change all the sending units you want but it's the sulfur in the gas.
04-09-2005, 01:53 AM
#8
Pro
Originally Posted by jimman
High sulphur gas. Had 5 sending units changed in my C5's before I switched gas. Just switched to the cheap stuff this week, having a hard time justfying 3.05 a gallon so will wait for the fuel gauge problem. You can change all the sending units you want but it's the sulfur in the gas.
I am unsure about the C5 problems but the C6 issues have NOTHING to do with high sulpher gas. My unit failed at its first fill-up. This is totally due to a bad batch of FSUs.
04-09-2005, 03:57 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by digbyamb
I am unsure about the C5 problems but the C6 issues have NOTHING to do with high sulpher gas. My unit failed at its first fill-up. This is totally due to a bad batch of FSUs.
04-09-2005, 10:40 AM
#11
Racer
Member Since: Dec 2004
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Ouch! Sorry to hear about your guage. I'm hoping I can dodge the Fuel Sending Unit bug-a-boo.
Not that it matters but, I had the same issue with one of my bikes, the V-Rod. It is a known issue with that model of Harley. After reading posts about FSU's in bikes and cars I'm getting the feeling that it's more common a problem than I thought.
I'd schedule the fix at the time you take the beast in for an oil change.
Most of the time I rely on the tripometer or distance to empty guage to check my fuel level.
Not that it matters but, I had the same issue with one of my bikes, the V-Rod. It is a known issue with that model of Harley. After reading posts about FSU's in bikes and cars I'm getting the feeling that it's more common a problem than I thought.
I'd schedule the fix at the time you take the beast in for an oil change.
Most of the time I rely on the tripometer or distance to empty guage to check my fuel level.
04-09-2005, 10:47 AM
#12
Pro
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Clovis California
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Below is my post from last Saturday, same thing happened. TEAShea also suggested the FSU may be bad. I unscrewed the gas cap and put it back on and haven;t had a problem since. I am not convinced this was the fix and am watching this closely. This is happening to many other members as well. Probably the FSU and I am waiting for the service bulletin to come out so I understand this a little better.
Great drive today. Left San Diego, after filling up with Chevron 91, north to Orange County. Then down the coast through Newport and Laguna Beach. Back to Highway 5 to the Ortega Highway. Over the top of the mountain and back to San Diego. About 200 miles. Car ran great, lots of waves as we saw about 5 or 6 C6's.
On the way back home the Service Fuel System indicator kept coming on and the Fuel gauge would register empty then come back to life and register correct fuel level and the Service Fuel System would disappear from the DIC. When I got home I recycled the fuel cap in case I didn't secure it properly in the morning. Weather was between 74 and 82 degrees with a 3,000 foot climb (or whatever the elevation is on the summit of Orteg Highway).
Any ideas what is going on. 6,257 miles on the ODO.
Great drive today. Left San Diego, after filling up with Chevron 91, north to Orange County. Then down the coast through Newport and Laguna Beach. Back to Highway 5 to the Ortega Highway. Over the top of the mountain and back to San Diego. About 200 miles. Car ran great, lots of waves as we saw about 5 or 6 C6's.
On the way back home the Service Fuel System indicator kept coming on and the Fuel gauge would register empty then come back to life and register correct fuel level and the Service Fuel System would disappear from the DIC. When I got home I recycled the fuel cap in case I didn't secure it properly in the morning. Weather was between 74 and 82 degrees with a 3,000 foot climb (or whatever the elevation is on the summit of Orteg Highway).
Any ideas what is going on. 6,257 miles on the ODO.
04-09-2005, 11:22 AM
#13
Safety Car
The car is upward of $50K, can't GM solve this problem 
My C5 was plagged with erratic fuel readings due bad fuel sending units (FSU). I thought this problem will be resolved with the C6. BTW what sulfur content, and how come only the C5/C6 have that problem, my other two cars which cost less have FSU without this problem.
My C5 was plagged with erratic fuel readings due bad fuel sending units (FSU). I thought this problem will be resolved with the C6. BTW what sulfur content, and how come only the C5/C6 have that problem, my other two cars which cost less have FSU without this problem.
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LS WON (04-07-2023)
04-09-2005, 12:42 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
HERE IS THE LATEST BULLETIN FROM GM ON THIS PROBLEM!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SERVICE - ALL CHEVROLET & CADILLAC DEALERS
Subject: 2002-2005 Chevrolet Corvette and 2004-2005 Cadillac XLR Fuel Gauge Is Erratic
Message #: VSS20050445
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Chevrolet Corvette and 2004-2005 Cadillac XLR (Y-Body) Fuel Gauge is Erratic
General Motors is in the process of redesigning the fuel tank sending units in both of the subject vehicles. A new part number has been released but it is not yet in stock. Some dealers have attempted to order the new parts 88967315 or 7316 and they have been told that the parts are not yet available. The new parts have an improved ink coating which will provide improved resistance to fuel contamination and correct fuel sender over travel which is the primary cause for the fuel gauge being erratic. Fuel Modules should not be replaced for complaints of erratic fuel gauge. The fuel sender card is the only part required.
Until the new fuel sender cards are available, the 2004 card is available and can be used. Part number 10310028 left side and 10310103 for the right side will operate in all 2002 through 2005 applications. However it does not have the improved ink path. In cases where a customer insists on a replacement part, the 2004 part can be used although it is the same part that is currently in their car. Availability is expected by the end of April. A bulletin will be released with correct part numbers as soon as the parts become available.
BOB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SERVICE - ALL CHEVROLET & CADILLAC DEALERS
Subject: 2002-2005 Chevrolet Corvette and 2004-2005 Cadillac XLR Fuel Gauge Is Erratic
Message #: VSS20050445
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Chevrolet Corvette and 2004-2005 Cadillac XLR (Y-Body) Fuel Gauge is Erratic
General Motors is in the process of redesigning the fuel tank sending units in both of the subject vehicles. A new part number has been released but it is not yet in stock. Some dealers have attempted to order the new parts 88967315 or 7316 and they have been told that the parts are not yet available. The new parts have an improved ink coating which will provide improved resistance to fuel contamination and correct fuel sender over travel which is the primary cause for the fuel gauge being erratic. Fuel Modules should not be replaced for complaints of erratic fuel gauge. The fuel sender card is the only part required.
Until the new fuel sender cards are available, the 2004 card is available and can be used. Part number 10310028 left side and 10310103 for the right side will operate in all 2002 through 2005 applications. However it does not have the improved ink path. In cases where a customer insists on a replacement part, the 2004 part can be used although it is the same part that is currently in their car. Availability is expected by the end of April. A bulletin will be released with correct part numbers as soon as the parts become available.
BOB
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LS WON (04-07-2023)
04-09-2005, 01:03 PM
#15
Racer
Thread Starter
Thank you Bob! 
The thing is working again on my car after just driving it a bit, but I'm going to make sure that I reset a trip odometer with every fill just in case.
Hopefully, this will be available by my first oil change.
The thing is working again on my car after just driving it a bit, but I'm going to make sure that I reset a trip odometer with every fill just in case.
Hopefully, this will be available by my first oil change.
Yikes! 
