1999 Buick Century Logo
Posted on Sep 29, 2011

I have a 1999 Buick century and my fuel gauge keeps reading full but when I sit still for so long it goes to empty but when I turn off the car and turn it back on it goes back to full. What could that possibly mean?

2 Answers

Brandon

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

  • Contributor 6 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 31, 2014
Brandon
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Problem Solver:

An expert who has answered 5 questions.

Joined: Mar 31, 2014
Answers
6
Questions
0
Helped
7361
Points
7

Just to clarify you technically do not need to buy a new fuel pump assembly/module ( which should include the fuel level sending unit/float and fuel pressure sensor) You can buy just the fuel level sending unit and replace it. But at the same time it is a good idea to replace the entire fuel pump assembly if you have 80k+ miles on it. Maybe 100K. Otherwise your going to do the work twice. Trust me it sucks.(Also change the fuel filter when replacing the pump assembly) You can try using cheveron fuel treatment to break up the gunk thats preventing the sensor from working. Try doing this and go through two to three full tanks and see if theres improvement, following the instructions of course.. May or may not work. If you do this I would recommend changing the fuel filter shortly after. All that broken up gunk has to go somewhere!!! Easy to do and cheap. An alternative for a temporary solution is to pull the fuel level sending unit and clean it up. Usually it gets heavily gunked up from dirty gas and cant function properly. If you go this route be delicate with it... dont scratch any surfaces etc. There are tons of tutorials on this out there. I got an extra 10 months out of my fuel level sensor doing this. Until my pump went out and i replaced the whole assembly. It probably would have lasted longer. Also when going this route be sure to buy a new fuel pump tank gasket and the c ring that locks the whole assembly into place. Very important as you dont want fumes coming out of the tank and possibly in your cabin or fuel itself when you fill the tank all the way lol. Yes it will splash out if the seal is bad. It can be kinda hard doing it the first time but if your mechanically inclined at all and can follow a manual you can save a lot of labor expenses. Lastly I am fairly certain there is an access panel to the fuel pump assembly in your trunk, located behind the spare tire close to the back seat. Lift the carpet up and take a glance. If your rear seat doesnt have a center folding section then you will have to remove the rear seat to get to the panel and do the work. Very easy removal and a lot easier than dropping the gas tank. Dont be afraid to ask questions. Its better than doing something like forgetting to relieve the fuel pressure and soaking everything when you pull the hoses connected to the fuel pump.

Been There

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 12, 2014
Been There
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Jan 12, 2014
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
604
Points
1

I hate to differ but the tank does not need to be dropped. There is an oval access panel inside the trunk, under the carpet and pad past the spare tire closer to the back seat. Pull back the carpet and remove the screws holding the access panel. The sending unit module is under that panel with two electrical plugs that need to be disconnected. Remove the screws that hold the module and CAREFULLY lift out the module. There is a fine, wire filament that is likely not making connection to the resistor board on the bottom of the module. If tweaking the connection doesn't cure the problem, then you will need to replace the module (which includes the pump assy.). Unfourtunately, this is a fairly expensive part.

Ad

2 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 468 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 20, 2009

SOURCE: 2000 Buick Century gas gauge reads full all the time

You're either looking at a short in the wire that goes to the fuel sender, or a bad fuel sender. If it was just a broken wire, it would read empty instead. The fuel sender is a permanent part of the fuel pump, so that has to be replaced as a unit.

Ad

Anonymous

  • 10319 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 06, 2010

SOURCE: gmc jimmy 1999, fuel gauge reading empty, even

the sending unit inside the tank has a open circuit that will not complete the signal to the dash gage. The tank will have to be dropped to replace this. The fuel pump is also a part of the sending unit. The part is not very cheap neither

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

2helpful
2answers

Erratic fuel gauge.

Could be a faulty sending unit in the tank or the gauge on the dash.
0helpful
2answers

Fuel gauge problems

There is a float in the gas tank that is probably hung up.Try bouncing the car at the rear bumper, it might free the float up.
1helpful
1answer

Gas gage floats between empty an full

gauge in-tank probably your problems. You can test it at connector near fuel tank . there is 2 kind of gauge one is 0 to 90 ohms or 0 to 250 ohms. if the reading is not good then gauge is defect
hope it helps
0helpful
1answer

I need parts for my 1999 buick century

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp?pageId=0900c15280217dafThe fuel sending unit is part of the fuel pump and it's in the fuel tank and is high dollar.Here's a link to the part.
6helpful
1answer

Gas gauge goes up and down when I get out of car when i am sitting in car the gauge reads full even though it is not full then on hills and just sitting at a stop light it goes to empty for no reason

You most likely have a failing fuel level sending unit which is located inside the fuel tank. The sender wears a bit as the float arm moves up and down with normal fuel level variations and this wear can result in a guage that reads erratically. Many of the fuel level senders are now only sold as a part of the fuel pump module so if it turns out that it is indeed the sender you may have to replace the entire pump module. Hope this helps!
12helpful
2answers

2000 Buick Century gas gauge reads full all the time

You're either looking at a short in the wire that goes to the fuel sender, or a bad fuel sender. If it was just a broken wire, it would read empty instead. The fuel sender is a permanent part of the fuel pump, so that has to be replaced as a unit.
4helpful
2answers

My 2000 Chevy Impala fuel gauge reads empty.

sending unit on fuel pump is bad, the sending unit shorts out gauge will go to empty or full, never read right, turn on switch ,it goes to full or empty, ,check the pump,hope this helps,thanks robert b.
1helpful
1answer

2001 Century Fuel gauge pegged on full, then sometimes goes to E

Bad ground is possible, but more likely a fuel sending unit problem. You can check for ground at the connector with a test light hooked up to 12V. If the light lights brightly, then the ground is not your issue.
Not finding what you are looking for?

614 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Buick Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Are you a Buick Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...