Erratic fuel gauge indicators (optra)

[Dks116]

Dear %%%,

I am an owner of a Chevrolet Optra. The fuel gauge indicator of my car has been erratic as of lately and this has caused me a great deal of inconvenience. I had highlighted this problem twice to Starsauto but they refuse to do anything about it. Instead, they show me your e-mail reply to them regarding fuel gauge indicators. I was very amused by your reply which simply stated that there have been too many similar cases and no more gauges are to be replaced. Is that all that you can or are supposed to do? It should be the responsibility of your company to assess the cause of this problem and recall cars once a feasible solution has been attained.

 

Perhaps you are not aware of the implications to owners of the cars with faulty indicators. Take my case for example...

 

I have almost always got into trouble with the woodlands checkpoint authorities due to the highly fluctuating indicator of my car. Throughout my journey to the checkpoint, the fuel gauge fluctuates up and down. And we are not talking about minor fluctuations here. An indication of 7/8 tank can actually drop to below 3/4 just driving from Bukit Panjang to Woodlands Checkpoint and back up to 3/4 after crossing it. During the initial stages after topping up full tank, the indicator would not move at all for a few days, after which it would start to fluctuate(significantly, up and down) even while I am driving. I have also not been able to monitor my fuel consumption as a result.

 

Please let me know if GM can do anything to rectify this fault or not so that I can look for other avenues to settle this problem. Thanks.

[Dks116]

Just sent this complaint out to GM... . From the earlier 'fluctuating fuel gauge' thread it seems as though this problem has not been resolved yet?

Edited June 17, 2007 by Dks116

[Victor68]

What are you trying to say? Your car under warranty and StarsAuto refused to do anything? I had mine replaced without problem.

[Dks116]

Yup. GM does not allow them to replace any more fuel indicators. This reply was given to me...

 

'as explained in our letter to our dealer, the movement of the vehicle either forward, backwards or sideway, would cause the fuel gauge to fluctuate.

 

The design of the tank, shape coupled with the movement of fuel, would result in different in varying difference of gauge movement. This does not constitute as a faulty gauge.

 

In your experience at the Causeway, may we suggest that you top up your tank to maximum instead of trying to achieve the minimum 3/4 level instead.'

[Adawang]

there will be some fluctuation due to road inclination,

or uneven road which makes the petrol in the tank slosh around

causing the float and sensor to move up and down according to the

level of petrol in your tank.

[Seanboi]

There is definitely sth wrong with ur indicator. How can u top up full tank and the needle doesnt move at all for a few days?

And ur indicator really fluctuates too much.

 

If GM nt doing anything, write in to ST or higher authorities.

[So_nice]

write in to our friendly ST forums. media pressure FTW

[Victor68]

DKS116 - the response you post and about the fuel tank pump to full but guage still show 3/4 does not seem to match. For the benefit of all motorists, please clarify.

 

1) you have top up your petrol to full tank but yet the indicator still shows 3/4 or lower?

 

2) you fill up to 3/4 but at the causeway, the guage shows less than 3/4?

 

The above are very different situation and it can means a lot of difference!

[Dks116]

During the initial stages after topping up full tank, the indicator would not move at all for a few days, after which it would start to fluctuate(significantly, up and down) even while I am driving.

 

after topping up full tank, the indicator would show full for a few days, after which it would fluctuate up and down throughout the whole journey. I don't think the float sensor is so sensitive that driving even on flat roads would cause a significant. For one it does not happen with other car models that my friends are using. Hope this is simple enuff for u to understand.

[Victor68]

Hmmm, you are saying the guage fluctuate significantly throughout the day. If that is so, regardless of the brand, you can take it up with CASE if your car is still under warranty!

 

I had the same problem after driving for more than a year. (this problem is faced by many Chevy owners initially but I didn't encounter it). I sent the car back to the workshop and replace it free without question. I wonder why they treat yours differently. Any other member have similar encounter recently?

[Dks116]

It seems to be a problem with all chevy cars(at least optra model) and due to the increasing number of fuel gauge complaints they have stopped replacing the gauges anymore.

[Pisces69]

There is definitely sth wrong with ur indicator. How can u top up full tank and the needle doesnt move at all for a few days?

And ur indicator really fluctuates too much.

 

If GM nt doing anything, write in to ST or higher authorities.

========================

 

Looks like the AD is trying to play Tai-Chi with customers. Maybe we sud get a Ralph Nader in SG. Then u will see all these crooked AD's & ws take some responsibility for their products & workmanship.

 

The best joke is asking the customer to fill full tank so he can enter JB. I will ask the AD to PAY FOR THE EXTRA FUEL & then see what they say.

 

I tot the Optra was one of the better Thai cars. Looks like I may have been wrong.

[Seanboi]

Hate ppl who plae Tai Chi.

 

Ya... But if the customer really go pump full tank den i nth to sae liao. Sth is definitely wrong with the fuel gauge. AD is probably trying to cut down cost.

 

Optra from Thailand meh? I tot from Korea?

[Victor68]

Wonder if you go to Alpine, would they advise or at least refer it to HQ?

[Pisces69]

But even if the customer pump full tank, I don't think it will help as it was mentioned that after pumping full tank, the needle still never move up for a few days even.

 

Cud b the manufacturer say AD must bear the cost of the replacement of fuel gauge so now AD wash hands?

 

Early batch, some Optras were made in Korea. Soon followed all Optras came from Thai.

 

I think the Korea Optra doesn't seem to have many complaints. Personally I wil take a Korean car instead of a Thai car anyday.

[Victor68]

Frankly, a fuel guage is one of the simpliest piece of equipment in the car. Nothing electronic or mechanical about it. Therefore, I don't think it has anything to do with the cost of the guage. However, to replace it, it involved removeing the whole petrol tank and I believe that is the main cost.

 

SA has been replacing the guage FOC ever since the initial batch of cars face the problem. I am not sure why they stopped. I also want to believe the latest batch of cars should not encounter similary problem because they would have discontiune installating those faulty guages.

 

As a chevy owner, I am concern when I read complaint of this nature. Is the writer alone or SA decided not to support their product? I am not sure the rest of the Chevy owner share the same concerns.