I see my gas gauge jump up and down sometime by a quarter of a tank. usually comes back to the previous reading after the car is turned off and turned back on. But i can then turn the car off again and turn it back on and the gauge then reads wrong again. anyone had this problem? Should i take it to a dealer? or is it just a poorly designed sensor/float?

Note: it doesn't jump up and down while im driving... it only does it when i turn the car on and off.

Cobalt_Daddy
2009 Cobalt SS/TC

 

I've experienced the same thing in my car. I wonder if it's more a issue of our tanks being so small (only 13 gallons) that they show the expansion and contraction of gas due to temp changes more than other vehicles.

 

do you guys park on hills by any chance when you notice this?

 

Yea, mine only seems to move after I shut the car on and off, and my computer is way off as far as my mileage and fuel range goes... sorta sucks when it says I have 100km left, shut the car off, then have low fuel...

 

it's a chevy thing. my mom drives an 01 impala so in order to keep track of how much gas is in the tank,she just writes down how many miles the car has when she fills it up. if the gas gauge is fitted in the tank externally, it's an easy fix. if it floats in the gasoline or is attached to the inside of the tank, forget about it and just keep track of your mileage. hope that helps!

 

ya it's getting frustrating... filled car up.. drove for 5 minutes... gas gauge was down 1/4 ... went to station put $11 more in it. figured it was full now and the gauge was just wonky... did another 55km and gauge was down an 1/8th ... went to station and put $9 in ... there is no way it's eating gas that quick lol so this gauge must just be programmed to choose a randomized level of fuel. actually waiting for the mileage to get better... only averaging about 30mpg but last week i was getting around 35-37 :/ hmmm lol
i really don't trust these GM computers anymore .. unless my car decides to transform into a walking robot that protects me .. i have really lost all faith in GM electronics lol

 

Fuel is measured with a bobber in these cars so it won't be all that accurate...parking at an angle or the fuel slushing around from movement will give false readings.

 

Not to mention there's still 2-2.5 gallons left when it shows empty.

 

I fill my tank and it shows 1/2 tank. Asked the dealer and they said the pump and sender are on piece and it runs $600 new. Anyone have a fix yet?

 

I've noticed that when I start my car up and drive too fast without letting it sit for a second, it will read empty or almost empty and I have to shut it off and turn it back on and then go again to get a reading.

 

Mine's never done that.

 

ahhh see I bet you put the gas nozzle in and have it fill at the highest rate of speed? this is what would happen to my ms3 too.

When you put the nozzle in and have it "lock" the handle, set it at the first notch (slowest fill rate). It will fill all the way. Sounds like you didnt even fill your tank. specially if you drop 11 then 9 bucks in thats almost 4 gallons then 3 gallons so 1/2 the tank.

 

i always slow down at the end of the fill when the tone of the air leaving the tank changes as the tank reaches full *shrug*