Gas guage busted?

[Blender345]

Since I can remember, my gas guage goes back and forth. When I fill it, it seems to track my amount of gas pretty well until I hit half a tank. At half a tank it goes berserk. It'll be full one minute, then my light will go off followed by the 3 dings.. telling me my gas is low. Then it will sit in the middle and then down and up and whatever it feels like. Anyone have any idea why my car does this? Anyone else experience this problem?

[AGT]

Could be more towards the sensor. The sensor tells the gauge.

It's like the brain controling what the body does.

[Blender345]

is it expensive to fix?

[super white alero1]

kinda expensive PN 88966972 list price $135.24. If you go aftermarket then its a whole fuel pump assembly.

[Blender345]

lol ill live i guess sucks tho

[AGT]

Originally Posted by Blender345

lol ill live i guess sucks tho

GM PART # 88966972
CATEGORY: Fuel Tank Meter Sender/Connector
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $134.36
OUR PRICE: $69.87

DESCRIPTION: SEN KIT

gmpartsdirect.com

after shipping

$85.24
Sales Tax (NC Only):
$4.72
NC Residents Total:
$89.96

[Blender345]

but then im gunna need someone to install it.

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by AGT

Could be more towards the sensor. The sensor tells the gauge.

It's like the brain controling what the body does.

Not quite. The sensor tells the PCM, the PCM tells the gauge.

[surreal_awakening]

I got a used fuel pump/sender assembly on ebay for less than $30 shipped and did it myself. It can be a bit of a PITA disconnecting all the lines and dropping the tank, but the mechanically inclined should be able to do it without much trouble. Just make sure your tank is nearly empty. It will make it alot easier. If I'm not mistaken it's the same assembly for the various engines but changes based on model year. 1999 had a different style tank that 2000+. What year is your car? I may actually have a spare one in the garage.

[AGT]

Originally Posted by Cliff8928

Not quite. The sensor tells the PCM, the PCM tells the gauge.

Okay so its like your finger in a dirty hoe telling the brain that its nasty causing you to pull out

[Blender345]

my car is a '99.

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by AGT

Okay so its like your finger in a dirty hoe telling the brain that its nasty causing you to pull out

LOL! But what if you're impaired mentally....

[Kilroy]

Wow, I just had this exact same thing happen to my '99 Alero!! The gauge worked fine, then all of a sudden it would only work till around half a tank, then display whatever it felt like! Surreal, what year and engine is yours for? I have a '99 with the 3400 V6.

[cooper]

another great defect with theses cars, less than 100 000km and my fuel gauge is irratic its just another defect dont worry buy an after market fuel pump assembly and you will be fine. good job GM.