1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 106,000 miles · MS

We are currently having our 4th fuel pump placed in our truck, this time after it died on the interstate. We towed the truck home and tried to diagnose the problem when we got under the hood we discovered the ignition control module was overheating it was so hot my husband burned his finger. We replaced it but that didn't fix it. We sent the truck to the shop and were told it was the fuel pump again, the wires on the pump were burn and melted which was causing the icm to overheat. This is the same thing that was wrong with the original pump that was replaced in sept 01, april 04 the second pumps' fuel level sensing unit (a thin piece of metal sliding across a set of conductors) became corroded and got stuck on empty, and now the 3rd pump has burnt melted wires. All repair were at my cost. We real luck the thing didn't blow up! But trying to coast to the side of the road while praying to not be hit by the 70+ MPH traffic is terrifying. This electrical problem seems to be "common" among gm truck owners, so why hasn't gm stepped up to help?

Filed Oct 20, 2004 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA

Intermitent operation of fuel pump located in fuel tank. Removal of fuel level sending unit and fuel pump assembly revealed a burnt connector and melted wire insulation, resulting in poor continuity to fuel pump. Vehicle would crank but not always start. Vehicle would also stall while driving with no warning.

Filed Oct 6, 2004 · Fuel system · 162,000 miles · TX

The power supply connector to fuel pump inside the fuel tank at upper end of pickup/fuel pump support tubes burned hot enough to soften the copper connector causing it to open up and shut off fuel pump causing engine to stop running. Approximately 2 inches of wire insulation was melted off at the top connector end. This is inside the fuel tank surrounded by fumes and fuel. If air was introduced there would have been an explosion. This is the factory installed fuel pump and fuse did not blow even though the wire was exposed and near metal components. I've owned the truck since new. Richardson brothers chevrolet in floresville, texas and other auto part dealers informed me that this is very common and have seen worse damage to wiring. The dealer wanted over $400.00 for the parts which include new pickup tubes with fuel level float and fuel pump. I'm a quality control inspector for aircraft and this would have grounded the entire series of that particular aircraft. (twa flight 800).

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Electrical · TX

1997 chevrolet 1500 fuel pump.*mr wiring burned inside the fuel tank going to the fuel pump and fuel gauge sending unit. The wires were burned so it melted the insulation and the wiring connectors.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Fuel system, Steering · CO

I would like to make this complaint very clear and to the point. I have been viewing the complaints located on your website and feel that there is a significant pupose for recalling these vehicles. I purchased a 1997 chevy k20 approx 1 1/2 years ago. Everything seemed to work fine until a few months later. I started to experience some steering problems. It does not matter if I am driving around a corner or straight but the steering will become very loose and veer into one direction all on its own. That is just one of the significant problems I have experienced with owning this vehicle. I now have come to find that there is even a greater threat to my safety and that of my family because I have now been informed that my fuel gauge and fuel pump wires, inside the gas tank, melted insulation and burnt the connector. This could have been a deadly experience for myself and that of anyone that could have been in the vehicle with me if it would have caught fire prior to my knowledge of this information. I feel that the first sign of this problem is that the gas gauge will start to malfunction, which leaves you guessing at the amount of gas in the tank. I feel this matter needs immediate attention due to the fact that owners/drivers of vehicles are required to carry auto insurance, however, this is something that none of us has any controll over. If we wait until someone becomes involved in an accident, that would seem senseless that possibly someones life would have to end before this situation be taken seriously. I have to demand that some action be taken before it is too late for someone.

Filed Oct 18, 2001 · Electrical · CO

Wires leading to fuel pump and fuel level gauge inside tank insulation had gotten hot enough and melted in upper connector. Contacted dealer, and dealer had the problem regularly.*ak

Filed Sep 19, 2000 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

Gas gauge malfunctioned and went out which did not indicate the actual fuel reading. Also, when backing up vehicle was making a noise, contacted mechanic. Mechanic said probably there wasn't any grease put in at factory resulting in the universal joints were dry and rusted. Universal joints were replaced.

Filed Nov 25, 1997 · Fuel system · PA

Fuel gauge failed.