How do I troublshoot a fuel gauge problem?

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DaveM - 12 Nov 2005 05:56 GMT

My '99 Bonneville's fuel gauge goes crazy after I fill up the tank. Reads
Full, then dances around to empty and all places in between. Until now, it
would read full after letting it sit for a night.

Someone suggested that might "clean" the gauge sensor/mechanism by running
some injector cleaner, but after 5 or 6 treatments I gave up as it didn't
seem to work.

I filled-up a week ago, and the car sat for 6 days. Drove it today and it
only read 1/2 after starting and then fell to empty. Repeated the same later
in the day.

Any troubleshooting advice?

I've considered just putting in a new fuel pump (since I assume the gauge
and pump are in the same unit)... Or should I just add it to my list of
things for the dealer to investigate?

If I take it to a dealer, what troubleshooting should I expect them to do?

Thanks in advance-
Dave

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Reynaud - 15 Nov 2005 01:19 GMT

> My '99 Bonneville's fuel gauge goes crazy after I fill up the tank. Reads
> Full, then dances around to empty and all places in between. Until now, it
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
>@#@

Fuel gauges are fairly simple the tank unit is an potentia meter attached to
an float. the float moves the arm from an low ohms to an high ohms output.
If the reading is erratic this usually indicates an bad fuel sender, just
replace. Gauges are seldom the problem.

Rey

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DaveM - 15 Nov 2005 01:39 GMT

Is the Fuel Sender Unit part of the fuel pump, or can it be replaced
separately from the pump?

Thanks
Dave

> > My '99 Bonneville's fuel gauge goes crazy after I fill up the tank. Reads
> > Full, then dances around to empty and all places in between. Until now, it
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Rey

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