Gas Gage Issues Stepper Motor or Sender Troubleshooting.

[sightcrr]

Our 2004 Custom without DIC is having gas gage issues. Is there a way to set the gages to sweep upon startup? By watching them sweep I might be able to tell if it is the gage stepping motor or the sending unit. TIA, sightcrr.

 

[Mad_Coachman]

Most likely your fuel level sender is on it's way out. Mine starts flaking out when I get to a third of a tank.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Fuel Gauge​

The IPC displays the fuel level as determined by the PCM. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the fuel level percent. The fuel gauge defaults to empty if:

• The PCM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit.
• The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

When the fuel level is less than 16 percent, the low fuel indicator illuminates. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to sound the chime.

I couldnt find if the fuel gauge sweeps on startup, but the gauge going low should trigger a low fuel orange light and a chime if you have the original radio or a adapter harness for an aftermarket radio(retain controls on wheel)

If you have no chime on the fluctuations, you probably have a gauge. If you have the light and/or the chime, you have a sender or class 2 issue.

You have a scan tool? Even basic ones May read fuel level % which could help give idea, note the % would be changing faster likely than a good gauge, which uses electronic smoothing to not make it bounce all over but glide gently more so

 

[Mad_Coachman]

No sweep on startup and as far as I know there is no way to make them sweep. 😉

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

No sweep on startup and as far as I know there is no way to make them sweep. 😉

Tech 2 can. but I just assumed owner did not have or easy access to one. My aural mk808 probably can but it’s buried in weird menus for park avenue.

 

[Mad_Coachman]

Tech 2 can. but I just assumed owner did not have or easy access to one. My aural mk808 probably can but it’s buried in weird menus for park avenue.

The OP asked if there was a way to set the gauges to sweep upon startup.

Once again RIF. 😳

Partner With RIF To Inspire the Joy of Reading

Together, we can disrupt the trajectory of the literacy crisis and open the door to opportunity for every child.

www.rif.org

 

[sightcrr]

Looks like I may have to put scan tool on the Christmas list. If I can read fuel level then I can bounce the car to see if it moves. It does have aftermarket radio with chimes but this week it seemed to be working and read 3/4 of tank. Also when not working it read higher. I may end up getting out the parts cannon and do both sender and gages. Thanks for everyone's help. sightcrr

 

[Mad_Coachman]

You are lucky in the fact that GM finally gave full size cars an access hole in the trunk. I've dropped five gas tanks on pre 2000 cars. You may as well change the whole fuel pump module.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

The OP asked if there was a way to set the gauges to sweep upon startup.

Once again RIF. 😳

Partner With RIF To Inspire the Joy of Reading

Together, we can disrupt the trajectory of the literacy crisis and open the door to opportunity for every child.

www.rif.org

as I know there is no way to make them sweep

is what i was responding too

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Looks like I may have to put scan tool on the Christmas list. If I can read fuel level then I can bounce the car to see if it moves. It does have aftermarket radio with chimes but this week it seemed to be working and read 3/4 of tank. Also when not working it read higher. I may end up getting out the parts cannon and do both sender and gages. Thanks for everyone's help. sightcrr

20 dollar walmart one may work for fuel %

 

[Mad_Coachman]

as I know there is no way to make them sweep

is what i was responding too

and I was looking at the WHOLE sentence. 😀

 

[Mad_Coachman]

Looks like I may have to put scan tool on the Christmas list. If I can read fuel level then I can bounce the car to see if it moves. It does have aftermarket radio with chimes but this week it seemed to be working and read 3/4 of tank. Also when not working it read higher. I may end up getting out the parts cannon and do both sender and gages. Thanks for everyone's help. sightcrr

Mine will go from 1/3 to over a half. I always reset my trip odometer and fill up when i have logged about 150 miles.
😉.
By the way if you want a good scanner get a Blue Driver assuming you have a smart phone.