# 99 GMC fuel gauge problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 6, 2007, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-gmc-fuel-gauge-problems/4249 "2007-09-06T22:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@freddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/freddy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-gmc-fuel-gauge-problems/4249/1 "2007-09-06T22:05:19Z")
I have a 99 GMC Safari van. Recently I completely ran out of gas and some time after that. My gas fuel gauge only registers as full until I am almost empty then it registers as 3/4 full. Also the van hesitates when first accelerating. Are these problems related? What do you recommend? ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-gmc-fuel-gauge-problems/4249/2 "2007-09-06T22:34:52Z")
Well I doubt if the two things are directly related, but they may be close. I would guess that the fuel sensor - sender unit needs to be replaced. On many cars it is combined with or attached to the fuel pump. The fuel pump/pick-up screen may cause the other problems. I guess crud in the fuel tank could have caused both problems, but I think that is a slight chance. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-gmc-fuel-gauge-problems/4249/3 "2007-09-06T22:34:53Z")
Well I doubt if the two things are directly related, but they may be close. I would guess that the fuel sensor - sender unit needs to be replaced. On many cars it is combined with or attached to the fuel pump. The fuel pump/pick-up screen may cause the other problems. I guess crud in the fuel tank could have caused both problems, but I think that is a slight chance. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-gmc-fuel-gauge-problems/4249/4 "2007-09-06T22:35:03Z")
Well I doubt if the two things are directly related, but they may be close. I would guess that the fuel sensor - sender unit needs to be replaced. On many cars it is combined with or attached to the fuel pump. The fuel pump/pick-up screen may cause the other problems. I guess crud in the fuel tank could have caused both problems, but I think that is a slight chance. ---
**Author:** ![freddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@freddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/freddy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-gmc-fuel-gauge-problems/4249/5 "2007-09-06T22:52:53Z")
Joseph, Thanks for your reply. Any idea how much it might cost to replace a fuel pump pick up screen? Also would any fuel additive help to improve the hesitation and slow acceleration? ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-gmc-fuel-gauge-problems/4249/6 "2007-09-07T02:32:56Z")
I have a 2000 Blazer with the 4.3, I’m assuming the Safari has the same engine. My fuel gauge has the same problem, I did some research and it is a common problem for GM trucks of this vintage. Unfortunately the sending unit is part of the fuel pump assembly (~$800 to replace). I just fill up at 250 to 270 miles, usually the truck has about 3 gallons remaining. If you track a number of fill ups, you should be able to get a handle on the distance you can drive on one tank leaving a 3 or 4 gallon reserve. I don’t know about the hesitation, but it’s not good for the pump when you run out of gas. Ed B.