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 Post subject: fuel gauge not accurate
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:30 pm 
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Year and Trim: 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI
Hello,
Everytime that the nidle of the fuel gauge is getting closer to the orange zone it's taking very short time untill it's going under it, it's not going down progressively, it's just fall right down under the orange and stay there, And even if i drive more miles on it, there is more and more to drive.
this is not happening when the tank has fuel above the orange zone.
Because of this problem I can't really know how much fuel really left in the tank and when is it going to run out of fuel.
What part is not functioning right?
thanks


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 8:54 pm 
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Well, short answer is next time it touches the orange zone is to top off the tank. Then subtract the tank capacity from the owners manual (18 gallons) from what you put in. Then you know how much is left when you first reach the orange zone. Every car is slightly different.

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:33 pm 
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Year and Trim: 1997 SE Anniversary Edition
It's not the gauge, it's the shape of the tank. It's L-shaped with the bottom leg of the "L" facing towards the front of the car. This makes the gauge wackier than a traditionally-shaped tank.

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 5:21 am 
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Year and Trim: 1998 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI
thanks,
so you guys think that the reason is just because the shape of the tank, and that when the fuel is going down in the tank the gauge will be less accurate, so from my understanding replacing the fuel level sensor will not change anything, right?


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PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:22 pm 
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Believe it or not, there's a factory service bulletin to reprogram the PCM to give a more consistently progressing decrease reading for the fuel level. If you find yourself at a GM dealer, have them look it up and patch your PCM. I don't have the bulletin number, but I know there is one. Whether it actually fixes your problem is another thing, but worth trying.

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Last edited by Bugsi on Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:12 pm 
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I've been around "tired iron" all my life. In-accurate fuel gauges are typical of all the all cars/trucks I've ever been around. - BC

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 1:07 pm 
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1oldman wrote:
I've been around "tired iron" all my life. In-accurate fuel gauges are typical of all the all cars/trucks I've ever been around. - BC


Yup. My tagline toy has an inaccurate gauge, I just put $20 in every time I drive it around the block. ;)

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 1:28 pm 
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Location: Wantagh, NY
Year and Trim: 1997 Bonneville SE 40th Ann Edition
Original Owner
TSB:

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Date Reported DECEMBER 01 1997
NHTSA Reference #600209
TSB Reference #738325

Description: CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE FUEL GAUGE REMAINS ON "FULL" TOO LONG. *TT

Repair Information for NHTSA #600209


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:13 pm 
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Year and Trim: 1994 Bonneville SE 240k Hot Rod
Just a word (or several!) of advice--the electric fuel pump inside your fuel tank is cooled by the surrounding fuel. Running below 1/4 tank consistantly can cause the pump to overheat, and cause fuel pump failure. Plus, by running the tank lower than 1/4, you stand the chance of sucking dirt and debris from the bottom of the fuel tank, which can prematurely clog the fuel filter. This can also lead to fuel pump failure due to overworking the pump.

Fill 'er up at 1/4 tank. It doesn't cost as much per fill-up, and just may save your fuel pump. Also, change the fuel filter every 20k. Cheap insurance...


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:42 am 
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renchjeep wrote:
Just a word (or several!) of advice--the electric fuel pump inside your fuel tank is cooled by the surrounding fuel. Running below 1/4 tank consistantly can cause the pump to overheat, and cause fuel pump failure. Plus, by running the tank lower than 1/4, you stand the chance of sucking dirt and debris from the bottom of the fuel tank, which can prematurely clog the fuel filter. This can also lead to fuel pump failure due to overworking the pump.

Fill 'er up at 1/4 tank. It doesn't cost as much per fill-up, and just may save your fuel pump. Also, change the fuel filter every 20k. Cheap insurance...



X2

I mark on my filter with a sharpie the date and mileage installed in case I forget (ha ha ha - I always forget!) - BC

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In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321


Last edited by 1oldman on Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:36 am 
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Location: Aguanga, CA USA
Year and Trim: 1994 Bonneville SE 240k Hot Rod
1oldman--I do exactly the same on all of my vehicles, and the Police fleet that I take care of. It never hurts to have a reminder...and as I get older, I seem to need more reminders for the "simple" stuff!

Now if I could just remember where I put my keys.....and my glasses.....

Seriously, marking your fuel filter with mileage/date will help you, and any other future "mechanics" or owners, to get a grip on possible maintenance (or lack thereof) issues.


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