1999 Pontiac Grand Am: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Jun 3, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · TN

The gas gauge will show full then without warning quickly drop to “E” and the low fuel indicator will ding and the light will come on then just as quickly as it started it will go back to full or 2/3rds the slow creep back to the full position. (The tank was not full) While driving all the electrical components start going wild, everything goes on and off quickly. The accelerator will rev(while foot is on or off accelerator) and drop over and over (as if there were bad gas in it) then go back to normal. This happens while I’m on the road and is a massive hazard. I’m so afraid this will cause an accident that leads to loss of life.

Filed Feb 16, 2006 · Electrical · 117,239 miles · WV

Started with warning lights on dash coming on and off intermittently, took to local garage and they put it on the computer but nothing showed up. Husband bought new battery and new alternator. Did not have the problem for three months and than I was coming home from work and one by one the warning lights came on, speedometer, gas gauge, odometer, etc...went to 0 and the car just stops. This happens in the span of approximately 2 minutes. First time this happened I was in the outside lane of a 4 lane highway. Fortunately traffic was light and no one hit me. Car would not start again. Truck driver pulled his truck behind me with flashers until we could get my car across traffic and safely to the shoulder. This happened 9/9/2005. Took my car to local gmc repair shop and they said it was a fuse box that was corroded due to a leak and replaced it. Recommended that I have my car checked for leaks which I did and there was none which at the time I thought was odd but my car seemed to be better. 12/9/2005 same thing happened again only this time when it started I worked my way to the shoulder prior to my car stopping. Took back to same garage, they put it on the computer and could not figure out what was wrong so they called the company for guidance. First they thought it was the ignition switch, replaced this but did not stop the drain on my battery. Than they thought it was the one side of the middle fuse box but after replacing it, discovered that was not it, than they replaced my instrument panel cluster. In the meantime I went on line and discovered that I was not the only one to have this happen and that it appeared to be a defect in the electrical system but gmc is not receptive to acknowledging the problem. I wrote them a letter and they called and said I had to log my complaint with you. I have the first fuse box that was replaced but they did not give me the old parts the second time. I did get the repair sheet with codes and comments.

Filed Feb 5, 2006 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · WI

I own a 1999 pontiac grand am with 80,000 miles, that I bought new. About a month ago (jan. 2006), the gas gauge failed. The needle dropped to empty (when the car tank was full). Now I don't know how much gas is in my tank, or when it will run out leaving me stranded. I called the dealership and they said it would cost $400 to repair. I called pontiac division about them fixing it, and they said it was not on their recall list! I said I've owned cars for over 45 years and have never had a gas gauge fail! They said I should pay to have it repaired and if they ever decide to recall it, they would give me my money back. Well, I'm a retired disabled veteran and can't afford $400 for a stupid gas gauge...so now I get it filled up every day!

Filed Feb 2, 2004 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · NM

Starting approximately august, 2003 whenever the fuel tank reaches about 1/4 tank or less the fuel gauge will fluctuate between 0% and 100% fuel. This fluctuation is frequent and can be observed 2-5 times within 10 minutes when the fuel level is below 25%. Various fuel system cleaners/treatments have been attempted with no change. This problem has left me without gas and stranded in very cold weather. In addition this has caused the vehicle to stall unexpectedly in heavy traffic posing a hazard to myself and passengers. The hazard is most apparent when traffic is slow or stopped and the engine runs out of fuel. The driver and/or passengers have had to exit and/or push the vehicle out of the traffic flow when traffic is very congested and hazardous. The type of driving that I do (mountainous terrain, cold weather) renders the trip meter very inaccurate when trying to estimate available fuel. Thank you, michael muscato.

Filed May 30, 2003 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · IL

Fuel gauge, at 1/4 tank level or when idling for more than 5 minutes at any level, gauge will chime, quickly point to full, then point to empty, repeat a few times, and settle between the 1/2 and 3/4 tank range. This fault has left me in a position of resetting my trip meter and filling the tank completely when fueling in order to travel no more than 300 miles per tank and risk running out of gas due to an unreliable fuel gauge. This problem began in may 2002.

Filed May 29, 2003 · Fuel system · 81,000 miles · NC

Consumer had problems with the fuel gauge. Fuel gauge would read a completely wrong writing when the gas tank can be either on a quarter tank or empty. Manufacturer was contacted as well as the dealer, but they had told the consumer that there was no recall, and that there was nothing they could do.

Filed Apr 30, 2003 · Brakes, Fuel system · MN

'99 gr am: grinding noise r front-dealer: drilled out restrictor in pwr steerng hose per bulletin 990232002. Rubbing & squawk noise turning left-dealer: sway bar bushings replcd. Passenger seat stuck-dealer: replaced seat track. Center console door latch assmbly replaced per recall. Radio lcd garbled & blacking out-dealer: replcd radio assembly. Whining in pwr steering- dealer: p/s cooler line leaking, replcd & bled system. Gas gauge back & forth from full to empty-dealer: tank sending unit shorted, replcd tank module assy. Fluid/oil leak from intake gasket-dealer: replcd gaskets & replcd oil pump drive o-ring. Passenger seat squeaks-dealer: seat tracks loose in floor pan hook attchmnt openings. Crunch/squawk in front end on speed bumps-dealer: replcd r&r front struts, replcd upper mounts. Brake pulsation-dealer: front rotors warped, both rotors were machined & pads replaced. Oil/fluid leak rt trans. Axle seal, steering rack center section- dealer: replcd seal & sleeve, replcd steering rack. Shimmy & shake on hwy- dealer: couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Intermittently hesitates cold start & on excelleration-dealer: couldn't duplicate problem, no repair. Driver's side window plastic regulator broke & window fell down-no longer on warrantee, consumer replcd @ approx $500.00 own expense. All occuring at under 40,000 miles. Am afraid to take in for next "scheduled" service for fear of what will be found.

Filed Oct 5, 2000 · Body, Fuel system · IL

Passenger seat slides after clicks in place, both driver and passenger side window regulators failed and left scratches on glass, radio lcd goes "wacko" car recently would not start (still at dealership), recall on console, both passenger side floor and cd (if in cd player) get wet with use of air conditioner, seat latches on backs of both seats are extremely difficult to lift, clip for moon roof switch broken, gas gauge sometimes moves up or down slightly in short period of time, front clip of car shattered in cold weather after going through unplowed street at 20 MPH, rear reverse light broken after ice clung to cable (which is not properly tied back), excessive wind noise on highway, steering wheel shakes when on highway (55-65 MPH), lots of problems with this car. (tiresize: p255/50r16)( dot number: tire size: p255/50r16 )

Filed Jan 29, 2000 · Brakes, Locks · PA

The source of the problem is unidentified by the dealerships I've been to for service. The car will periodically violently pull to either side (has occured on both sides), thrved out of control, the brakes in general are poor and don't stop the car well; I have to downshift the automatic in order to stop at times, the locks quit working and needed reprogrammed three times, the car has lost power while driving and took a few minutes to restart. There are other problems with the car (such as rear windshield rattles, poor gas mileage 14 city, 19 highway, bad gas gauge) but they are not the major safety problems. I have almost been in several accident between the brakes and the 'violent pulling' but pontiac keeps telling me nothing is wrong with the car since they can not replicate the problem. The problem occurs intermitantly. I was told the car's lease would be repurchased, another time pontiac promised to replace the car if I took it in three more times, I have complied with their wishes, but they are now insisting that I start bringing the car back for service more. The car has been in 9 times, 7 for major safety problems. The state lemon laws says after 3 times I should have a refund or replaced vehicle, my choice, but pontiac, and the dealership either don't return my calls, or when pontiac does call they tell me to keep taking the car back for service. In the mean time the car is a serious risk to myself and other motorists or pedestrians being that I've lost control of the car more than 10 times in the past. I seriously hope that this issue doesn't keep getting bumped around. I'm going to send my info to the bbb, but that will take up to 40 days or more for a reply, in the mean time (I'm a medical student) I need to drive to fulfill my requirements to become a physician, and I'm placing myself and others at risk because pontiac will not abide the law.