Fuel Gauge Sporadically Sticking?

Tiny
JOSEPHTOOTALL1450
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 49,000 MILES
I have a sporadically sticky fuel gauge on my '06 Buick Rendezvous. Any idea what the fix is for this problem? I've noticed several others with same issue but have not found solution. Thanks
Monday, January 12th, 2009 AT 2:54 PM

29 Replies

Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
Here is some info:Some customers may report the fuel gauge fluctuates or operates erratic on their 2006-07 Buick Rendezvous equipped with the (LX9) engine. Engineering has determined that the PCM (Power Control Module) calibration needs to be updated.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Reprogram the PCM with the latest calibration available on TIS2WEB for the appropriate (Delphi or Siemens) EGR valve and retest.

Note: This new calibration will address fuel gauge fluctuation concerns for customers who typically park their vehicle on an incline.

Post back with any other questions.
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Monday, January 12th, 2009 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
ALISONSMOM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
Electrical problem
2006 Buick Rendezvous Engine Size unknown All Wheel Drive Automatic 33000 miles

I just bought an '06 Rendezvous a week ago. It has been in the shop twice already to fix that gas gauge- still not fixed. It bounces all over the place so I don't know how much gas I have. I finally called directly to GM this morning and was told this is a design flaw and it cannot be fixed. They told me that if I park on a flat surface and don't move, I will get an accurate reading. If I am moving, I will NOT get an accurate reading. First of all, that is HORRIBLE and totally unacceptable that is was designed to not work properly (and has been since 2002 without being re-designed). But, my issue is that I don't think everyone with a Rendezvous is having this problem which means it isn't a design flaw. It is just a problem with my vehicle (any many others) but I'm hoping it can be fixed. Let me know if you own a Rendezvous that has a gas gauge that works properly. I'd love to think that this can be fixed. Other than not knowing how much gas I have, I love this vehicle and don't want to have to return it. Thanks!
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUICK DAVE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My rendevzous does the same thing all we do is watch the drivers info center and see how many leters of gas we have burned. Just keep track when you fill vehicle and reset gauge to 0
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARAHMARIE08
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I just got an 06 Rendezvous a month ago and am having the same problem. I replaced the sensor/sending unit which was extremely expensive and am still having the same problem. It can go from half a tank to empty in 10 mins. How can this problem be fixed? This is crazy!
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAPYINHARNED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 2004 and my guage never worked. I write down amount in gallons each time I fill up and use my gas used meter, reseting every time to 0.00
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PHILLIP AYERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
Dealer, replaced gas tank, still having fluctuation in gas gauge. Then updates software at a price of $115.00. Still, having original problem. Now they tell me, gauge gets better after driving for hour or so. And it won't be accurate when you first start up, even if your on level ground. You have to drive it for awhile to be accurate.
Question: have they been robbing me of money and time and now feeding me bull crap?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Chances are they are not sure what to replace. Why was the tank replaced? It has nothing to do with the fuel gage. Also, was the fuel pump replaced? The float for the fuel gauge is part of it. As far as a reading, it should be right when you first turn the key on. There should be no reason for you to drive for an hour to get an accurate fuel reading. Have they checked the body control module?

Let me know.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SINJIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
Fuel gauge erratic readings what could be wrong?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi:
There is a float sensor in the tank that could be the cause, or there could be a ground or body control module problem.

What does the gauge do?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SINJIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
One min it's say's full then it drops to empty
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LAURA PHILLIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Mine does the same thing what is causing this
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
9 times out of 10 its the fuel level send on the fuel pump module. To be sure you can remove the unit and reconnect it with the key on to work the float up and down then watch the gauge. Here is how you remove the unit. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TROYDIZZLE2009
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 88,325 MILES
Dear sir,

When I start my car everytime, the Gas Gage goes from full to empty to full to empty (back and forth and the "check engine" light is on and it says gas low but I have plenty of gas in car. Sometimes also it revs to fast when you start it. Or when you give it gas it acts like it goes nowhere like there is not gas going to car.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
It sounds like the rheostat on the float is bad. It is the device that sends different levels of power to the gauge. If it is bad, it will cause this. However, it is part of the fuel pump and in the tank so it isn't easy to do.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIREMANLOU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 164,000 MILES
After filling the gas tank to full, the gauge stays on the full mark even after driving 200 miles. Also on occasion the needle will drop right down to empty and will either bounce back to full after awhile or go back to full after shutting car off and restarting. Am I looking at a gas tank fuel sensor problem?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It may be the tank sender or dash but problay dash have a pro look at it. See if the sender is sending a signal or not
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ADAMM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
My gauge flucuates from empty to full when not completely full.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Suspect faulty fuel level sensor or bad wiring to sensor. Fuel level sensor is located on fuel sender unit assembly, in fuel tank.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PUDDYTAT2
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 128,000 MILES
A few weeks ago my gauge started floating all over, it can be full one minute(when I know it is near empty) or low when fuller. Have ever came accross this problem and if so how do you fix it? Luckily I know how many miles per tank I get.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALISONSMOM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
We just bought a 2006 Rendezvouz a week ago and have had it into the dealership twice to have the gas gauge fixed. Still not fixed and was told by several people that it is a design flaw and there is no fix for it. I called GM/Buick directly this morning and they confirmed that it is a design flaw and that when the vehicle is moving, you will not get an accurate reading. You need to have it sitting still on a flat surface and then you will know how much gas you have. What a bunch of b.S! This buick is going straight back to the dealer and I'm buying a Honda (we have never bought an import before). How pathetic that this is the best we can expect from Buick/GM. This has been a 'design flaw' since at least 2002 and they haven't fixed it yet. There is absolutely no excuse for that. Wow- I'm couldn't be more mad than I am right now!
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 2:43 PM (Merged)

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