2005 Buick Lesabre fuel gauge stuck at 'E'

[Ron Norton]

For a while my fuel gauge has been stuck at empty, I have been using the 'fuel range' display to determine the amount of fuel I have. When I had my brakes replaced the guy checked it and said it was 500 dollars to fix it. Although I'm not sure what needed to be replaced. What could it be? The sending unit, or the gauge panel? As a college student 500 is a lot of money. Any suggestions?

 

[gnhbodyguy]

It's probably the sending unit in the tank. I suggest using the trip odometer. Reset it every time you fill up. You should get about 350 miles per tankful in city driving.

You might be able to find someone willing to install an AC-Delco OEM fuel pump and sending unit for about $400.

If you just replace the sending unit, use other then AC-Delco brand, or buy online and can bring your own part to your mechanic you can save some $.

Not a simple DIY, but it can be done. Don't have much gas in the tank when and if you get it done.

 

[DonP]

If the fuel range reading on the driver information center is correct, but the gauge is off, there is a good chance the problem is in the gauge cluster, possibly a bad stepper motor driving the pointer. (A bad sending unit would likely cause the fuel range to be off as well.)

This can be verified by connecting appropriate resistances at the fuel pump connectors to simulate sender positions.

Either can be repaired DIY, the gauge stepper motor costing less but requiring more time and PC board soldering skills.