2000 Chevy S10 Fuel Pump and Gauge

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ZICKNAK
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  • 1 POST
I am having an issue with my Chevy S10 ZR2 4.3l V6 Extended cab truck with 99,000 miles. I am pretty sure that I need to get a new fuel pump, but have questions about it...

Anyways, the truck does not get enough fuel to remain running unless there is more than a quarter tank of gas, so it seems obvious that it is the fuel pump to me. But, the gas gauge itself has not worked for probably 8 months or so. So, my first question is: Will putting in a new fuel pump make the gas gauge work again? Secondly, the size of the gas tank on this truck seems too small, and I am curious if anyone knows of a larger tank that I could get for it that would bolt on, since I am going to have to take the tank off anyways to replace the pump.

Thanks for the help!
Jan 1, 2007 at 9:54 AM
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MATHIASO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,209 POSTS
it's good that you perform a fuel pressure test before assuming that the fuel pump has problem.
for replacing the small tank to a larger one,consult your repair manual

you may also check your fuel sending unit,in most cases the unit needs to be replace if a fuel gage is not working.The problem may be in the fuel gage on the instrument panel, or in the fuel gage itself.A simple test determines which part if defective.
Jan 1, 2007 at 10:34 AM
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2CARPRO JACK
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,533 POSTS
The fuel sender and pump are one unit on that truck, it is called a fuel pump module.If there were larger factory tanks offered I would go that route.But buy the module and other parts for the larger tank, might need different gauge,not sure. But the module will definitly be different for the big tank
Jan 1, 2007 at 11:42 PM

Suggested Repair

Test fuel pressure before replacing the pump. On this truck the pump and sender are one fuel pump module, so a new module may restore the gauge if the sender is bad; also check the instrument-panel gauge. For a larger tank, use a factory option if available and match the module and related parts to that tank.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2000 Chevy S10 ZR2 4.3L says the truck will not stay running with less than a quarter tank and the fuel gauge has been dead for months. They ask whether a new pump will fix the gauge and whether a larger bolt-on tank exists. Experts recommend a fuel pressure test first, note that the sender and pump are one module, and say a larger tank may need a different module and possibly a different gauge.

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