My Gas gauge has been bouncing all over the place and I fear that it may be broken. My old man had his fuel gauge go on his buick and they wanted a lot to fix it. Is the sensor, or whatever measures the fuel broken? Has this happened to anyone? If so is there any way to trouble shoot to see if its just malfunctioning and not broken? If it is broken how much is it to fix?

The sensor is an integrated part of the fuel pump module, must be replaced as a unit.

If the cluster is bad, then replace the cluster.







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Since you've got a trip meter, use that to keep up with your fuel level.

Pump is 253.99 at autozone....Use the trip meter!!



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it might not be the pump. there is a sensor in the actual tank that may be bad

Moar Candy! LAWL wrote:it might not be the pump. there is a sensor in the actual tank that may be bad

The sensor is an integrated part of the fuel pump module, it must be replaced as a unit.







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my '97 does the samething, i was told by the stealership that my fuel level sensor is bad they wanted $500+ to fix it... needless to say ive learned to live with the gas gauge bouncing around...


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I've got it easy though, mine is off by exactly a 1/4 of a tank so I'm empty when my gauge reads a quarter of a tank.

"Since you've got a trip meter, use that to keep up with your fuel level."

Can you please further explain this, the Z is still in excellent shape but is approaching 100,000 miles and i dont wanna put anymore $ into it. I'm not sure what the trip meter is..

It's right underneath your tach. It shows how far you've gone after pressing the stick that comes through the clear cluster cover.

Set it to zero then drive around for a couple of days. Then fill up and divide the number of miles on the trip meter by how many gallons you put in. That gives you're MPG and should allow you to figure out how far you can go before you need to fill up.

LOL, well aware of that little guy... THX for the advice, I'm def. using that. It's not worth spending the $ to fix it, unless you guys know an option thats cheap bc if I spend $500 thats probably 25% of what I'd get for it. I mean its in great condition but its a 99 w/ almost 100,000 miles. Probably only get like $2,000-$2,500 right?

Jim Crockett wrote:LOL, well aware of that little guy... THX for the advice, I'm def. using that. It's not worth spending the $ to fix it, unless you guys know an option thats cheap bc if I spend $500 thats probably 25% of what I'd get for it. I mean its in great condition but its a 99 w/ almost 100,000 miles. Probably only get like $2,000-$2,500 right?

If you're that hard up on $$$, then buy a good used one from the salvage yard &

install it yourself. It's not that hard to do. I did one in my garage with jack stands.

I sell them where I work used for $70-$80.






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Well im most definetly not hard up for $$$ it's just hard to justify spending $$ on the cav when it has so many miles and such low sell value. It's been a great car and im going to drive it until it drives no more. I've also never done much work on cars other than work in an oil shop doing upper and lower tech jobs. Does this require knowledged work? I have a mechanic who is real fair and prob. would only charge like $30 an hour, how long would it take and do you know the exact part i need? I appreciate the help Kevin.

Its most likely that sensor in the fuel pump and save up some money to get it fixed. Mine has been going out since early last summer and i just kept an eye on the trip meter, well after awhile its going to ruin your fuel pump and you'll have to get one. Mine got so bad i would have a full tank of gas and go to start my car and it wouldnt start because the pump wasnt pumping the fuel into the car, it started to die on me alot at stop lights and my car would start to pudder and missout. I just got mine fixed about four months ago. So it will last for about 3/4 of a year but i recommend saving up and getting it fixed. it cost me about 600 to get mine replaced and that was with a good pump. Dont get the pump at autozone its no good, I know alot of people that has had so much trouble with them. its ridiculas. only thing good about autozones fuel pump is a lifetime warranty but you'll be replacing it for like the rest of your cars life. And if money is an issue replace it yourself, you'll save alot of money on it.

it will take a few hours to install only thing that takes longest is getting your gas tank out. but like Kevin said its easy. Check around on jbody there is probably a few forums that will give you instructions on it, or just check your haynes mechanic book. oh and remember DONT cause any sparks while working down there. And also replace your fuel filter when you replace your fuel pump. fuel filter is only about 5 bucks at autozone. Oh another thing is if you take really good care of your cavy theres no reason it wont last to 200k miles thats with almost every car, take care of it and it will take care of you.

chris b wrote:So it will last for about 3/4 of a year but i recommend saving up and getting it fixed.

My gas gauge hasn't worked for the three years I've had it. If he wants to spend $300 to fix a minor inconvenience, then so be it, but ripping out a functioning fuel pump is not a smart move imo.

Well can someone please let me know which side of the story is accurate.... $$$ is not an issue its just why fix something thats a minor inconvenience, if it will cause further problems than i definetly want it fixed... Anyone know for sure>????????

if your fuel pump has been working for that long john then its not your fuel pump. A broken fuel pump will not last that long if its sensor is broken. the whole fuel pump is electrical once one part breaks the rest will break shortly after especially if its a daily driver. If a fuel pump is a minor inconvenience.... then hell changing your oil is a minor inconvenience too if you get low just keep adding more oil dont change it you'll be ok. look Jim if you have the money go buy a used one from a junkyard and risk it being a bad pump or go to autozone and buy the cheapest one they have. it will cost you double almost triple of what you would pay at the junkyard but most junkyards are as is sells.

chris b wrote:if your fuel pump has been working for that long john then its not your fuel pump. A broken fuel pump will not last that long if its sensor is broken. the whole fuel pump is electrical once one part breaks the rest will break shortly after especially if its a daily driver.

Well, it could be mine has some buildup or corrosion on it since it's off just about exactly. I've just never heard of the fuel pump going out because of the sensor being bad....

My point is Jim has a working fuel pump that could last for 3/4 of a year or more than three years. Oil loses it effectiveness over time, thus it needs to be routinely changed, whereas a fuel pump is good 'til it goes bad. When it does go bad, Jim will be stuck when it does but all he'll need is a tow to his mechanic to have a new pump put on. I'd rather pay $50 for the tow later on, then spend $300 or more for a new fuel pump when the old one would've lasted a few more years.

me personally i like to get my car fixed right when something happens to it

Gentlemen I appreciate all the input but I still don't know the bottom line facts. At this point I do not want to get stuck because I drive a minimum of 70 miles mon-fri. Further advice on what will/will not happen would be great. In the meantime I will contact my mechanic and see what he thinks.. More input would be great, thanks guys.

drive it till you hear a loud whining noise or notice your car getting really hard to start when you have a quarter or over in gas
if you hear the whining noise it means pump is starting to break. You'll also notice your car puttering

Well i dont want either one of those to occur Chris because like i said i drive 70 miles 5x a week, which is now 80-90 miles. Its alot of stop and go Chicago traffic also. I did speak to my mechanic and he told me its more of an inconvenience like John said. That doesnt mean I'm going to take his word for it, i just wish other would read the post so i could get further opinions.

yeah i hear you on that right now your just getting my side, johns and your mechanics its more helpful if you hear others opinions on it. so you drive 70 miles a day??

Jim Crockett wrote:That doesnt mean I'm going to take his word for it, i just wish other would read the post so i could get further opinions.

If you're unsure of a mechanic's word, then I'd go ahead and get a new pump installed. You're obviously going to worry about it with your long commute so, just for your piece of mind, either install a new one yourself or have it installed. I haven't messed with the one on my Cavalier but I helped my dad when the one on his old '98 C1500 had to be replaced. The worst part was dropping the tank with 3/4 of the tank still full.

Well my mechanic said exactly what you said John. He seems to know whats up but a lot of people here have 1st hand experience with our specific vehicle and its parts. I think he's real honest with me, bc he didn't say bring it in, he said it's up to me and is really is a minor inconvenience. I think he's honest because most people would want the business, atleast thats what I'd assume. But with my commute i dont want a single problem. He needs to redo my O2 sensor anyways because it's throwing the same code even though he just fixed it, so I'll have him look into it. when i started this thread my check engine light was off and is now on because of the O2. Then again it may be a bit before i get it to him and i really appreciate the both of your help but wish others would voice opinion.