Fuel gauage not working right

[Deerassassin]

I have a 03 Sierra Z71 4x4 5.3. The gas gauge is not working but will come on for a minute or 2 on a real bumpy road then turns off. What part do I need to get to fix this?

 

[knucklehead27]

sounds like your fuel sending unit. its built into the fuel pump so i dont think you can change the sending unit without changing the pump. i have the same issue with my 01.

 

[happy 2011]

you just need a new fuel card on your fuel pump asy.

 

[dirtclod]

Happy, what in the world is a fuel card?

Tom

 

[happy 2011]

A fuel card is what makes the fuel gage work. It's mounted to the pump asy in the gas tank. It's nothing but a rheostat that changes resistance going up and down with fuel level. then this info goes to a control module then to gas gage or dir to gas gage that is calibrated to the fuel card.

 

[knucklehead27]

and you have to drop the tank or pull the bed to replace, correct?

 

[happy 2011]

well on pickups i tip the bed to the right side. Here how i do it (on a lift) Remove all left side bed bolts, loosen all right side bed bolts Remove bolts from gas tank filler neak. Put post jack under bed let down lift slowly till bed tips up about two feet. then put big block of wood in between bed and frame. Remove fuel pump asy Replace or replace fuel card and reinstall. Total time about 45 mins. This is also how your dealers do it fyi.