Gas Gauge

[labsnducks]

This really isn’t an “SUV” but rather a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette, van, anyway it’s the wife’s and the gas gauge is going crazy, it started when it was about half full, she said it went up to full, then down to below empty then back to ¾, this was all in about a 30 mile drive, she has filled up twice since this happened watching her mileage. THEN... she decided to tell me about it!!!

Well my question is will this require that the tank be dropped to fix the problem or there an easier way to fix it??? :beatsme

Thanks!!!

[Alan]

Well my question is will this require that the tank be dropped to fix the problem or there an easier way to fix it???

Ummm, couple tracers from 50 yards, maybe?

Seriously, check the tank ground, I think it's actually part of the harness that comes off the sending unit and gets grounded somewhere away from the tank, not a braided strap like in the days of yore.

[Pickering Snow]

Labs

The fuel tank sending unit is faulty you can purchase just the sending unit board and install it on the fuel pump module price from gm about 122.00 dollars and yes you have to drop the tank to change, the sending unit board came aval about 8months agao prior to that it required the whole mu module unit about 450.00 dollars. Gm is really having alot of troubles not just with the U vans but the trucks and suvs. If you drop the tank let it get down to about a 1/8 and its not a bad tank to pull and install probley a couple hour job for someone that hasnt done one . It takes about 1/2 hour here in the shop if the guys arnt bsing.

[labsnducks]

I kinda figured that I may have to drop the tank, but thought I'd ask first, I will check the ground first, but... as my luck is... it won't be that simple.

Thanks for the heads up on the sending unit board, thats one of the reasons this fourm is awesome!!!!!!

Thanks :usa

[wyldman]

Well that's news to me,as GM still sells them as a fuel module only up here.May have to call the US next time I get one with a bad sending unit.

I have also been keeping the old units that we have replaced due to bad pumps.Sucks to have to shell out $700 for a new fuel module when just the board is bad.

[Pickering Snow]

Chris

Labs did say U-van they are aval for U van C&H body and G body. I have never seen a Bull for C, K S, or T which is funny has you know has well has i that those are the worse at fluc fuel guages of course the fuel pumps are too.

Something i did when i was still at the dealer and will do for people i know is look at the board on the actual ip portion were it turns black take a pencil eraser and clean up the will work again you can take a dvom and test them on the bench or use the snap on fuel gauge tester if you prefer. I honestly belive IMO the build up comes from crappy fuel and a combo of poor design but ill tell ya why Gm hasnt recalled those things is beyond me.

Case in point 96-98 Jeeps had the same problem and people would run out of fuel with a 1/4 still showing DC went threw a class action and recalled them i think GM needs to step up to the plate has well there are tons of GMs doing the same thing.

[drbean]

If you need the ckt board I think I may have them in my tool box Ill check today.You arent that far away Maybe save some payup

[labsnducks]

Thanks DRBean, that would be awesome if you had one available, Fred I don't know which style it is I NEVER drive it and only get into it to do the maint. on it !!! But it is the Olds. Silhouette Mini van, kinda like the Chevy Venture.

the thing only has 125,000 miles on it and shoud last her a while longer, she wants a new full size suv but she drives way too much and the Olds. gets around 24 MPG, I just replaced the right front wheel bearing and now this!!!

Thanks for the answers guys!!!

[Pickering Snow]

Labs

You have a U van Gm uses letters to identify the vech platforms

Example U van is Olds Silo, Chevy venture, pont montana transport

C&H body Buick lesabre, olds 88, olds 98, pont bonniville, buick parkave

G body Olds aur buick riv

S&T S-10 blazer 2wd and 4wd
C&K chevy gmc 2wd and 4wd full size truck

Just examples we use letters in the repair buss quicker to refer to than nameplate.

[labsnducks]

Thanks for the info. Fred... Thats the reason I asked this question here, to get these kinds of responses, this forum has such a wide varity of expertise, its nice to know that I or anyone coud ask a question and get such an indepth answer.

Thanks Gents!! :notworthy