Fuel guage reads inaccurate - 1995 z28

[BamTino024]

I have a 1995 z28, with about 15,000 original miles on it. For most of the time that I've been the sole driver of the car (since about 2006), the fuel gauge has not been reading accurately. When I fill up the tank, the needle goes about 10º past the vertical FULL marker (so the gauge indicates that I'm more than full). When I'm coming up on empty, this means that I have to remember that when I have about 1/8 of a tank left, I'm most likely about to be running on fumes. I stupidly forgot about this one time, and actually ran out of gas on the highway. Has anyone else had this problem, and know what the cause is? Any help would be appreciated.

[Mason44]

Mine did something like this to me. I would fill up and it would go all the way past the full mark and it would stay there all the time until it completely ran out of gas. My problem got fixed when i had to replace the fuel pump. So my best guess would be to have the fuel pump checked or replaced and if you dont want to go that way then just reset your trip gauge every time you fill up and go off of that.

[Conflict]

mine did the same thing to but I never fixed it, I never saw it as a major problem

[CamaroSpike23]

the sending units on 4th gens are crap. plain and simple. you can replace it or learn to drive with it. I fill my car every 100 miles (i also only get about 10-12 mpg lol).

I've ran out of gas twice in the car cus I forgot about the gas gauge and was using my trip odo to count my miles..... till I found out that my trip odo wasnt reading correctly...lol

[knowitman]

It's a common problem, and it happens on our 95' Z28 as well. I have heard that it has something to do with the shape of the fuel tank not having fully vertical walls, but don't quote me on that. That would mean that while the gauge may read linearly with respect to level, the volume remaining doesn't vary linearly with level.

[vladkgb]

Happened on my 95 as well. But it was even more messed up, if i was going up hill it the fuel gauge would increase temporarily, and if i went down hill the fuel gauge would fall. I had to fill up my tank everytime i saw 1/4 tank, learned the hard way when i tried to start the car oneday and it wouldnt fire, realized there was no gas even though gauge showed 1/4.

[BamTino024]

Thanks for all the info guys. I was going to replace the fuel pump anyways, since I've been smelling fuel everytime I walk past the rear of the car...I'll see if that fixes the problem...if not I'll either try a new sender unit, or just deal with it and remember to fill up when I've got 1/4 tank left haha. I've also experienced the problem goin up and down hills too - the needle swings wildly. It also takes a nose dive anytime I punch it (especially at the track), and then comes back up when I let off the throttle and settle at a crusing speed.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by BamTino024

Thanks for all the info guys. I was going to replace the fuel pump anyways, since I've been smelling fuel everytime I walk past the rear of the car...I'll see if that fixes the problem...if not I'll either try a new sender unit, or just deal with it and remember to fill up when I've got 1/4 tank left haha. I've also experienced the problem goin up and down hills too - the needle swings wildly. It also takes a nose dive anytime I punch it (especially at the track), and then comes back up when I let off the throttle and settle at a crusing speed.

the smell of fuel is probably your evap canister or the solenoid going out.

http://shbox.com/1/evap_system.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/evap_sol.jpg

[omarrakeen]

same here... my guage reads ok when its full but when its empty is points at the last qurarter ...ran of gases couple of times but now am used to it lol i changed fule pump tho but i didnt find some other sending unit n no could fixed it...

[ucfbound1107]

Mine is doing the same thing. I've had the car for over a year now, and only recently did the gas gauge really start to be off. I've run it out of gas once, but I've learned to count my mileage instead of going off the gas gauge.

But I'm also having a problem with every time it rains, if the car isn't warm or hasn't been running, it won't start if I leave to go anywhere. Has anyone else had this problem? A few people have told me its a problem with the distributor and the opti-spark/start in the design of this motor, but I also don't want to spend a lot more money that I need to to get it fixed. Can anyone help me?

[adamz37]

Bamtino,
You have a problem with the sending unit. Its attached to the pump in the tank. Two options,
1) drop the fuel tank which means removing the rear of the exhaust and lowering the rear end.
2) cut an access panel above the tank. I did number 2. most people do too. you can get direction off the internet.

[Bulldogwinters]

Mine reads about a good 45 degrees past the vertival full line.. I don't even use my gas gage, I just fill up when my trip gets to about 230 Miles.. which is usually about 10-14 gallons

It's been attempted to be fixed by every possible shop in town. I just gave up on it.

[Ant32894]

My tank never sees full... Im lucky if it sees half full :(

[nascarnate326]

Mine is goofy as well. Part of the 4th gen character