Anyone had this problem?

dailygolfer · 08-26-2007, 05:59 PM

The last two times that I have filled up with gas, the low fuel light on the dash and the engine light came on. After fooling with the gas cap, the lights went out the first time. Filled up today and both lights went on again. The difference this time is that the fuel gauge showed empty. I fooled with gas cap and drove around town. The fuel guage kept going from empty to full. When it went to full, the low fuel light would go off but the check engine light stayed on. Any suggestions on what the problem may be would be appreciated. It is going into the dealer for an oil change on Tuesday so I will have it checked and let people know what was the problem. I have an 05 with 28K miles on it. Thanks in advance.

tickledpink · 08-26-2007, 06:33 PM

and after totally panicking I called OnStar who connected me with HUMMER. They said it was probably improper tightening of my gas cap.......... I took the cap off and put it back on, and was able to clear my situation...... perhaps the gasket on the gas cap is crimped .....

Anyway, I am very glad you are taking it in this week and let's hope it is a simple fix that you can share with the rest of us -

Sue

NVR2OLD · 08-26-2007, 07:00 PM

I was just going to post this problem asking if anyone had this experience.
Yesterday while driving and knew I was getting low on fuel (I think I had 1/4 of a tank) the engine light came on with the low fuel alarm, the gauge read empty and I panicked because I wasn't paying much attention on my fuel. Then I noticed the fuel gauge would jump to 1/2 tank and back to empty. I refueled within a mile and the problem is history. I drove another 100 miles since then and everything is normal. I have no idea what caused this and it wasn't near empty because it only held 14 gal.
Allan

burchtree11 · 08-27-2007, 07:39 AM

I checked with my dealership and was told those types of errors have
only been occuring in non "smokin`asphalt" SSRs. According to him,

is the only true vehicle color and the reaction of the other SSRs
is an attempt to get ur attention and possibly have the truck repainted!

Dragon2U · 08-27-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dailygolfer

The last two times that I have filled up with gas, the low fuel light on the dash and the engine light came on. After fooling with the gas cap, the lights went out the first time. Filled up today and both lights went on again. The difference this time is that the fuel gauge showed empty. I fooled with gas cap and drove around town. The fuel guage kept going from empty to full. When it went to full, the low fuel light would go off but the check engine light stayed on. Any suggestions on what the problem may be would be appreciated. It is going into the dealer for an oil change on Tuesday so I will have it checked and let people know what was the problem. I have an 05 with 28K miles on it. Thanks in advance.

While I have not had that problem with the SSR I do have it with my 01 Silverado as of a few weeks ago. If I fill the tank to the top and drive around I get a empty tank alert now and then until I burn off about 1/8 of a tank, then it seems to work properly. Since it only occurs when the tank is almost full and the gauge goes to zero as well as the computer alert I am thinking that it is the tank sending unit. I have seen issues with the gas cap but I don't think the low fuel is associated with it, it will normally throw computer codes for emissions. I would suspect that the tank sending unit or float has issues. My problem is so intermittent that I don't know if they could find the problem at the dealer so I am going to swap the sender unit when I find one at a good price and get the time.

larry l · 08-27-2007, 08:42 AM

Wife had a similar problem on her trail blazer and the dealer replaced gas cap with new one with new gasket and it cured the problem. Gauge did not jump around though. It must be those quick starts and stops moving fuel around. Hopefully it is a quick fix when you have it in to dealer for oil change.
Larry l

tickledpink · 08-27-2007, 09:59 AM

during the 7 years I had my Cadillac Limousine, same thing would happen to me, but it depended on whether I was driving up a hill or down a hill !!

Sue

ssr71 · 08-27-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon2U

While I have not had that problem with the SSR I do have it with my 01 Silverado as of a few weeks ago. If I fill the tank to the top and drive around I get a empty tank alert now and then until I burn off about 1/8 of a tank, then it seems to work properly. Since it only occurs when the tank is almost full and the gauge goes to zero as well as the computer alert I am thinking that it is the tank sending unit. I have seen issues with the gas cap but I don't think the low fuel is associated with it, it will normally throw computer codes for emissions. I would suspect that the tank sending unit or float has issues. My problem is so intermittent that I don't know if they could find the problem at the dealer so I am going to swap the sender unit when I find one at a good price and get the time.

My '99's been doing that now for months. Definitely the sending unit there. I agree that it sounds like it in this case too. Erratic gauge behavior is most likely because of intermittent electrical contact. The sending unit is nothing more than a potentiometer (variable resistor) attached to the float.

Not to hijack the thread, but here's a sending unit for the full size trucks:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=006

tickledpink · 08-27-2007, 10:41 PM

I have had a wonderful bunch of unique cars, but I bought my SSR because I fell in love with the shape......... Used to be I could repair some of my fabulous autos in the past - SU Carbueretors and electric fuel pumps were my best efforts, but I do remember shoving a bobby pin into the distributor wire of my Jaguar Sedan when it broke down on my way to work one early morning - started right up and I continued driving on to school....... have helped lots of poor souls with electrical tape when their hoses blew out, and the like...... Now I am helpless....... too many body parts to figure out, so I must rely on knowledgeable people like you, my dealership, AAA, and the mercy of people driving by if I am in trouble!!

Thanks for your input !

Sue