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C5 fuel level sensor questions

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Old Jul 17, 2008 | 01:37 PM
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Default C5 fuel level sensor questions

Hi everyone, my dad has a 1998 vette. Here is his problem... his gas gauge is all over the place. It jumps from full to empty and back all in one trip. This happens on a regular so the only accurate way for him to measure how much fuel is left is to go by the mileage.

He wants to take it to the dealership so he can get ripped off some more. When he caleld they said they needed to change to sensor and that required a few hours of work, which included dropping the gas tank, etc. Its going to cost him a couple hundred dollars to take it there but i have a feeling he doesn't need to go there and spend a lot of money. If i can do this job myself it'll save us a bunch of money.

Any info would be appreciated.
-Anthony
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Old Jul 17, 2008 | 06:59 PM
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Some guys will try to run some cleaner to get some of the deposits off of the fuel level sensor....it usually doesnt work and will require a fuel level sensor....its a common problem. Have him check the codes using the DIC and see if you pull a P0463. Do this by turning key to on position (engine off), clear any messages by pressing RESET, hold the OPTIONS button down then press the FUEL button 4 times. This will display any codes stored every 3 seconds. If so then its probably the sensor.
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Old Jul 18, 2008 | 05:12 PM
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thanks for the info.. what kind of cleaner do most use?
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Old Jul 19, 2008 | 09:28 AM
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Run a couple of tanks of Chevron gas (with techron) through it and it may clean up and start working again...we have done this on a couple of cars and it worked...other wise he is going to have to spend the $$$ and the tank will have to be dropped to be fixed..

Last edited by slt200mph; Jul 21, 2008 at 03:10 PM.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 02:32 PM
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why chevron gas? should he be always using that kind?
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 03:08 PM
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It sure won't hurt to use it the chevron gas has a chemical called techron that helps clean the deposits off the sensors
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 10:15 PM
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oh nice to know, now i just need to find one
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 11:26 AM
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idk where the sensor is but i can tell you first hand the pump is accessiable without removing the tank on pre 02 or 03 cars. there is a safety plate under the car right by the exhaust u pull it off and access to the pump which appears to be in the bottom of the tank, id assume sender is part of that.
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Old Jul 23, 2008 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by pentavolvo
idk where the sensor is but i can tell you first hand the pump is accessiable without removing the tank on pre 02 or 03 cars. there is a safety plate under the car right by the exhaust u pull it off and access to the pump which appears to be in the bottom of the tank, id assume sender is part of that.
Thanks, ill take a look when i get a chance
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