The sun was out and the roads were dry for once so I got the Z out of it's nice warm heated garage and headed for a professional meeting about 120 miles from home. I start out with almost half a tank of gas but after driving only 30 miles the low fuel light came on and the fuel gauge went to empty. I knew I had gas but I filled it up anyway and it took about 12 gallons, however, the low fuel light never went off and the gas gauge needle stayed on empty, plus when I paged to "Range" the DIC was blank. I stopped at the dealer and made an appointment to leave the car next month to have the fuel sensors replaced. Then I proceeded on to my meeting but after driving on the interstate for only 10 or 12 miles the low fuel light went off, the gas gauge went up to full and the "Range" indicated over 300 miles. I've read in the forum where others have had problems with the fuel gauge but today was my day. Was it because it was only 1 degree above zero or because it has been sitting for about three weeks, all of the above or none of the above?
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Originally posted by Dragon Was it because it was only 1 degree above zero or because it has been sitting for about three weeks, all of the above or none of the above?
You live in Almost Heaven and it's 1 degree above zero? My almost heaven would be tropical sun and onshore breezes all year long.
You'll see the problem you described in many posts here. Keep the appointment and watch the fuel gauge for more signs of defects. If no problems by the time of the appointment, make the call if you don't want to get the sensors replaced. My $.02.
I had the same problem with my 2003 Tahoe and the fix was the fuel sensor. Be careful it is an intermittent problem and may fool you into thinking you have fuel when you don't.
Greg
Quote:
Originally posted by Dragon The sun was out and the roads were dry for once so I got the Z out of it's nice warm heated garage and headed for a professional meeting about 120 miles from home. I start out with almost half a tank of gas but after driving only 30 miles the low fuel light came on and the fuel gauge went to empty. I knew I had gas but I filled it up anyway and it took about 12 gallons, however, the low fuel light never went off and the gas gauge needle stayed on empty, plus when I paged to "Range" the DIC was blank. I stopped at the dealer and made an appointment to leave the car next month to have the fuel sensors replaced. Then I proceeded on to my meeting but after driving on the interstate for only 10 or 12 miles the low fuel light went off, the gas gauge went up to full and the "Range" indicated over 300 miles. I've read in the forum where others have had problems with the fuel gauge but today was my day. Was it because it was only 1 degree above zero or because it has been sitting for about three weeks, all of the above or none of the above?
I had this problem last week. I know I filled up with gas the day before at chevron. Only second time I've used their gas. I started her up to go to lunch and the check gages light came on. The gas gage went to 1/4 full. I pulled up the code on the dic and reset it. It went away and the gage (after a mile or so) went back up to full. Happened again the next day and reset it again. Hasn't happened since then. I forget which code it was, but it was a pcm code.
Mine just did the same thing on the last tank of gas. I was just about to take it in when the gage started working again. It is still working on this tank, and I have read that "winter" gas blends have a higher sulphur content that effects the sensors. We'll see.
i noticed mine acting a little strange last week. not going to empty but jumping around. not sure if it has something to do with the crap winter gas but i will keep an eye on it.
Mine started doing that with about 7000 miles on it, and started doing it pretty regularly when I'd get below 1/4 tank. This is usually associated with code P1431, thrown when the computer doesn't think the right tank fuel level is changing sufficiently over time. When it throws the code, it sets the fuel gauge to zero, which causes all the other crap. This is to let you know that it doesn't really know how much fuel you've got.
GM has blamed high-sulfur fuel for reacting with silver in the fuel sender, causing the problem. Since I had been buying convenience-store gas, I switched to Phillips 66, and for me this was sufficient to solve the problem .. I'm now at ~17K miles and have not had any recurrences.
I'd try switching fuel first. and if that doesn't work go to the dealer. Unless you just really like your dealer, of course. Still, if the problem is related to the fuel, changing the sender will only work for a while and is more invasive.
__________________
Jerry
'02 Z06, Mill. Yellow/Black, memory, mirrors,!CAGS, Chromies
'93 LT1 Coupe, Red/Tan, Auto
Ready to embrace the aging process, but I can't lift my arms.
I had a 99 FRC and it happened once. I had an 01 Z06 and it happened twice. All three times, after the car sat overnight, the
fuel gauge was fine the next morning. I now have an 03 Z06 but I only have 1200 miles on it and it hasn't happened yet. If it happens and doesn't correct itself overnight then I'll take it in.
Mine did it one time too at about 5000 miles, and it was on a trip on the the Turnpike. Fuel gauge went to nill when I actually had a half tank. No problems since.
i am in the one timer club...about 7000mi. i initially thought i must not have been paying attention because i had just purchased the car and was (and still am ) in the awe phase a little nervous to drive watching everything getting comfortable...i was on the highway first thing i noticed was check gauges then low fuel...i pulled into the first place topped it off...until i read this thread though i didnt want to admit there might have been a problem...i know i had gas...or thought i did...
I had it happen to my Blk 02. I had about 1/3 of a tank and was driving in the twisties... made me real nervous so I filled the car up @ the first station. Happened again with more gas in the tank... took it in for service they "flashed" it (programmed) and the problem never came back, but I sold the car not that long after. I've read a few posts with this problem... I bought my 03 paying sprcial attention to it's build date because they changed the design sometime in late 02, nov??? I read in the C5 registry ??? that this was the first application of a C6 part, a whole new tank assembly. They solved the problem for the new car C6, and made it downward interchangable to the C5's and put it in production after~ 11/25/02?? RPO code was something like FFO, or FFS?
Any other recollection of rpo# or Vin # cut in info out there??
Bob
__________________
Rwdyryd
Red/Blk 04 Z06 SOLD
Blk/Blk 07 Z06 SOLD
CG/BLK 09 Z06
This problem did not happen to me with the Z,but something very similar happened with the old M3.Before taking it to the dealer, I would try BMW(yes BMW) fuel additive.It worked on the M...Use it at least 3 to 4 times in the beginning,then every other fill-up. Good luck
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fuel additive.It worked on the M...Use it at least 3 to 4 times in the beginning,then every other fill-up. Good luck
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