gas gauge issue-- WILL the fix from the store work?

[tigeraid]

Hey guys. I got the usual b-body gas gauge problem, but mine is a bit weird so I wanted to get your thoughts on it.

When full, my gauge will read way after the F mark, and stay there for 3-4 days of normal driving. After what probably amounts to $20 burnt, it will finally fall under the F mark, and will hover between 3/4 and F for a few more days...

At this point, the needle will hover around 3/4 when parked, but when moving will move to as low as 1/2 ... wether I'm accelerating or cruising!

To top it all off, the previous owner told me 1/2 basically means empty... I woulda been comfortable with this if the rest of the above problems didn't happen... While I haven't run it dry, I've had it down to the 1/2 and found it takes upwards of $50 to fill it at that point, so his rule seemed to be true.

Is this too far gone to use the Gas-Rite? Should I give it a try or just bite the bullet and change the sending unit?

This is a particularily tough choice for me, as the Gas-Rite is $60 USD... I'm in Canada, so that's about $95, plus shipping and boarder charges, so like $110-115 for something that might not even work. What you guys think?

[9C1LT195]

I've got one of those gas gauge correctors. It helps with the full position, but the gauge still reads over 1/2 for a long time than drops quickly.

I say get a new sending unit for ~$150 if the gauge is really inaccurate, otherwise just live with it.

[tigeraid]

yes but what kind of a specific difference did it make for you? what did it do before and after installation?

I don't mind the "1/2 gauge = empty" rule, I just don't like it fluttering around randomly between the 1/2 mark and the 3/4 mark WHEN I'm driving--will it solve THAT problem?

[9C1LT195]

No, it will not solve any gauge fluctuations. All it does is set up upper and lower bounds for the gauge.

[tigeraid]

crap... oh well, I ordered it anyway lol.... at least I'll know when I'm CLOSE to empty... will it not make the Low Fuel light come on properly again too?

[thatbigbody]

I hardly ever fill mine all the way up. I may see the price and just pass out!:freak:

[Incitatus]

It may be a little late for me to toss my thoughts in on this, but...

Those gauge fluctuations seem to be more related to wiring issues than anything else.
Back in my mechanic days we usually found loose connections -either on the hot side or on the ground side (typically the ground side)-to be the cause of such fluctuations.

I'm guessing you've already looked into that, though.

[tigeraid]

no sir, I have done ZERO troubleshooting (that's how much I hate wiring) :D

But you make a good point, and I'll trace all the wiring when I install the calibration kit... hopefully that's all it is.