my truck's fuel guage reads empty when i actually have around 10 gallons left, is this normal if not can it be calibrated

did you pull a tree out or yank something out that will break the sending unit off...

no, its been like that since new. its driving me crazy:eek:

I had my fuel gauge go from showing a full tank to showing MT in about 2 nano seconds while driving on the freeway. I noticed that the gauge does in fact move ever so slightly when I start it up but the yellow light comes on and always shows MT regardless of amount of fuel in the tank.

As such I figure the gauge and the sending unit is fine, but the float assy and sensor pkg is hooped. Went to the Stealer here in town and he was gonna bend me over for $ 360.00 CAd + 13% tax for the sensor alone..!! I don't think so Jack.!

I asked him for the PN and then left...without being Hosed. Checked on the internet using the PN and found a place in Tx that shipped a fuel sending unit sensor (float assy), new to my home in Barrie, Ontario for $149.00 USD shipping incl. and about 9 bucks for Broker fees... Hell of a deal. It gets installed in the AM. at my local good guy garage for about $250.00 for labour. Yea, I coulda done it myself..I just don't have the time...or could have let the stealer work on it for likely 750+ uhuh. was born at night...just not last night or the one before.

PN: 19148811

Website is:http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214727

Hope that helps..

stk

I just had the same thing done, mine would show empty and when I would go to fill it up I could only put in 19 gallons max. I took it to the dealer and they said it is a bad leveling sensor and replaced it under waranty.

did you pull a tree out or yank something out that will break the sending unit off...

maybe this is my problem, my gauge has been reading wrong since my truck was rear ended (hard, caused 22k worth of damage). is the sensor that delicate? it takes like 140 miles for it to move from full. a couple times, it dropped to 0 and the light came on for a few seconds then it went back to where it was. by 1/4 tank it was bone dry. ask me how i know....
seriously, don't run one of these out of fuel at 1am in the middle of new hampshire. and don't pay 12 bucks for a cheesy 2 gallon tank from the gas station, it takes 4 gallons to prime if it's on a slight incline... ask me how i know, lol!

maybe this is my problem, my gauge has been reading wrong since my truck was rear ended (hard, caused 22k worth of damage). is the sensor that delicate? it takes like 140 miles for it to move from full. a couple times, it dropped to 0 and the light came on for a few seconds then it went back to where it was. by 1/4 tank it was bone dry. ask me how i know....
seriously, don't run one of these out of fuel at 1am in the middle of new hampshire. and don't pay 12 bucks for a cheesy 2 gallon tank from the gas station, it takes 4 gallons to prime if it's on a slight incline... ask me how i know, lol!

That sucks man i feel sorry for you. It always sucks to run something out of fuel and it always happens in the middle of nowhere.

I would replace or check the sending unit before i went to thinking about replacein the floater.

I had a similar problem. Mine always read 3/4 tank. Took it to the dealer they thought it might be the guage in the instrament panel. They said that they have seen them go out. Turns out that I broke the whole pickup sending unit off. It was just hanging by the pickup hose. They replace everything under warranty.

See is you can disconnect the connector at the tank gauge-- then turn on the key-- should go way past full. If you ground it, it should go to empty. If it works like that, it is probably the tank unit. Also check the grounds at the tank.

If you have to replace the tank unit, buy some beer and invite some big guys and lift the bed-- yes, it is the only way to replace the tank unit IMHO.

The dash gas gage has a stepper motor - along with all the gages, they sometmes go bad. GM has a warrany program to replace the complete speedo housing.:cool:

maybe this is my problem, my gauge has been reading wrong since my truck was rear ended (hard, caused 22k worth of damage). is the sensor that delicate? it takes like 140 miles for it to move from full. a couple times, it dropped to 0 and the light came on for a few seconds then it went back to where it was. by 1/4 tank it was bone dry. ask me how i know....
seriously, don't run one of these out of fuel at 1am in the middle of new hampshire. and don't pay 12 bucks for a cheesy 2 gallon tank from the gas station, it takes 4 gallons to prime if it's on a slight incline... ask me how i know, lol!

Yes they are affected by a major impact, replaced many for that reason, also seen lots of fuel tank baffles break, and ruin a sender due to a major crash.

Finally got the sensor installed...it was a bit tense..filling up the tank the first time after. Put the key on and started filler her. Well for one thing, I found out I had a lot more room so to speak to run if it ever showed empty cause it took a long while for the needle to move. But it finally did and to my relief.!!

All good.

Bottom line, if you are getting fuel then the sending unit itself is good. If the needle moves a bit on start up but does not show the exact amount of fuel in the tank, it is likely the sensor in the sending unit as opposed to the gauge. Not 100% positive, but a pretty good indicator that it is indeed the sensor. All kinds of things can happen to that puppy: dirt etc can get between the "dial" and the sensing platelets on the sensor and that could be plenty to mess with it, truck could get smooshed - whatever. The gauge however is to my mind much less of a mechanical item and should not really present an issue.

in my opinion only of course. never taken a gauge out/apart nor looked at one...but to me it is just a gauge with a cpl of wires feeding it info...no.??

cheers,

stk