Fuel Gage Inaccurate/Fluctuates, Premature Low Fuel Chime (Exchange Instrument Panel Cluster, Replace Fuel Level Sensor, Reprogram EEPROM)
| Subject: | Fuel Gauge Inaccurate/Fluctuates, Premature Low Fuel Chime (Exchange Instrument Panel Cluster, Replace Fuel Level Sensor, Reprogram EEPROM) |
| Models: | 1997-99 Buick Century, Regal |
| 1997-99 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo |
| 1998-99 Oldsmobile Intrigue |
| 1997-99 Pontiac Grand Prix |
This bulletin is being revised due to part number changes and deletion of the parts table. Refer to the parts information catalog for the correct part number. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-06-03-007B (Section 6 -- Engine).
Condition
Some customers may comment on the following conditions:
| • | The fuel gauge reads incorrectly. |
| • | The low fuel chime sounds prematurely. For example, the chime may sound when 19-22 L (5-6 gallons) of fuel remains in the tank. |
| • | The fuel gauge may fluctuate from full to empty and then back to full after a fill up and a hot soak. |
Cause
These conditions may be caused by several factors which are vehicle specific:
| • | Fuel contamination to the resistor board (sender card) of the fuel level sensor in the fuel tank. |
| • | Calibration changes within the EEPROM of the PCM. |
| • | Software revisions to the I/P cluster. |
Each of these factors affect the accuracy of the fuel gauge and/or the low fuel warning system.
Correction
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue vehicles built prior to May 7, 1998.
Request an exchange I/P cluster from the A-C Delco® Service Center. This cluster must contain the software modifications in Delco Electronics Bulletin #98 IDPD07ISA.
Installing this new cluster will result in the elimination of the low fuel chime.
Important: You must advise the customer about the elimination of the low fuel chime, as this is a change to the Owner's Manual information.
All 1997, 1998 and 1999 vehicles built prior to December 1, 1998.
In order to improve the accuracy of the fuel gauge, replace the fuel level sensor in the fuel tank. Refer to the procedure in the Engine Controls sub-section of the Service Manual.
1998-99 Oldsmobile and Pontiac vehicles built prior to October 1, 1998.
Reprogram the EEPROM using any Techline CD numbered higher than CD #21 for 1998 or the TIS 2000 #12 CD or higher.
Parts Information
For the correct part number for the fuel sender card, refer to the appropriate Parts Information Catalog.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation | Description | Labor Time |
|---|---|---|
N4180 | I/P Cluster Assembly - Replace | 0.4 hr |
L1197 | Sensor, Fuel Level - Replace (All Except Lumina, Monte Carlo) | 1.0 hr |
Sensor, Fuel Level - Replace (Lumina, Monte Carlo) | 1.5 hrs | |
J6355 | Reprogram EEPROM on Car | 0.4 hr |
