Gas gauge not working at all?

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
193,270 MILES • 3.4L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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My fuel gauge was originally working a bit. But now it shows empty all the time with the orange light on. I tried everything I could and it's getting a ground after we rigged up a wire and the fuel gauge doesn't budge. What can I do
Mar 10, 2026 at 7:44 AM
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What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Document how gauge operation was restored and compare sender readings with the specifications for the actual vehicle. Resolve the reported pressure-sensor code separately unless testing establishes a shared fault. Avoid replacing the cluster or PCM solely from the changing suggestions in the discussion.

Guidance references and applicability

2CarPros: Original discussion 1712316 https://2carpros.com/questions/gas-gauge-not-working-at-all Source for reported history and outcome. Contributor suggestions are not independently confirmed diagnoses. Attachments were not verified.

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CANNON1349
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Hello, you may have an issue with the actual gauge in the cluster. But to be sure, I would use a scan tool to verify the % of fuel in the tank as measured by the computer. If it is reading at 0% then the cluster is doing as it is commanded and you may need a pump/sending unit assembly. If the fuel % reads the known value of fuel then I would search online for an instrument cluster.

William
Mar 10, 2026 at 10:10 AM
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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When that issue happened it also caused me to get a P0452 code as well. And everything is properly grounded.
Mar 10, 2026 at 10:26 AM
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CANNON1349
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Sounds like it could be electrical, however it could very likely be the pump assembly.

William
Mar 10, 2026 at 10:28 AM
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STRAILER
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Yep I agree with CANNON1349 the wiring harness that goes back to the tank can be damaged because this code is for the fuel tank pressure sensor, so if these issue started at the same time this can be the issue, I would use a flashlight and inspect the wiring harness.
Mar 11, 2026 at 1:39 AM
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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I’m sure I have a wiring issue. When I plug in the harness, all the grounds are working but I’m starting to suspect the purple wire is not making a connection inside the car to the PCM. How would I go about checking for continuity on it
Mar 12, 2026 at 1:01 AM
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CANNON1349
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I will have to refer you to Ken or someone with access to the wiring diagrams, I am still waiting on access on my end.

William
Mar 12, 2026 at 1:44 AM
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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That will be fine. I just want to know how I would test it
Mar 12, 2026 at 6:53 AM
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STRAILER
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9 times out of 10 it will be the sender, they go out constantly. You can ground the sender wire and if the gauge goes to full then you know for sure. It is the purple wire back at the tank.
Mar 13, 2026 at 2:30 AM
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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The gauge does not go to full. But every wire we checked has continuity
Mar 13, 2026 at 3:41 AM
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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Ok. Every wire is feeding correctly but it seems like something is grounding out somewhere
Mar 13, 2026 at 4:53 AM
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STRAILER
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It can be the sender that the wiper arm fell off and is now touching ground. I would remove the fuel tank and take the sender out to check it operation.
Mar 14, 2026 at 4:02 AM
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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We hook up the sender to ohms and it goes high when it gets full and goes down when it gets empty. So we know it’s reading on a voltmeter. But the gauge isn’t reading anything.
Mar 14, 2026 at 4:05 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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So that reading from the sender goes through the PCM but chances are the gauge is bad which is the other common failure.
Mar 14, 2026 at 4:34 AM
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RALPHPHIPPS22
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Thank you so much Ken. You are a life saver. We managed to get the gauge to work. So it indeed is a bad level sending unit. Which since the fuel pump is less than a year old, I’ll order it separately and replace it. Again thank you
Mar 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
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STRAILER
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Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
Mar 22, 2026 at 1:53 AM

Discussion summary

Gas gauge not working at all?

The fuel gauge showed empty with its warning light on. The owner also reported P0452, several wiring checks and sender-resistance changes. In the final update, the owner said they had made the gauge respond, concluded the level sender was faulty and planned to replace it separately from the recently installed pump.

Reported outcome: The owner identified the sender as the problem and planned replacement; installation and a lasting repair were not reported.

The final gauge test was not explained. Wire continuity and resistance readings lacked values and test conditions. The thread's wire-grounding instructions are not reproduced.

Read the original discussion

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