Gas gauge reads full one minute then reads empty?

STEVE DILLEY

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
107,000 MILES

My gas gauge has recently started acting up. I filled it up and the gauge read full one minute then read empty, then jumps back to full. Seems to be intermittent. Works correctly most of the time. Turning off the the car and restarting corrects the problem most of the time.

Monday, January 12th, 2009 AT 1:43 PM

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like an issue with the fuel level sending unit.
That sending unit is a part of the fuel pump assembly. It is consists of a float and a connector with different resistance value. As the fuel goes up and down on the tank the float moves with it and connects to different resistance reading, which translates into the fuel level gauge.
The resistor can go bad overtime and will trigger incorrect reading of the fuel on the gauge.
In order to replace the fuel level sending unit you will have to remove the fuel pump from the tank.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

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