Cadillac Deville fuel gauge problem. Sending Unit or Fuel Level Sensor? Whats the difference?

Question

The fuel gauge on my 2001 deville dhs was bouncing around for a few days and now just shows full all the time.

I know generally its caused by the fuel tank sending unit, but i noticed when I went to order this part that there was another part called the "Fuel Level Sensor" for 100+ dollars.

Can someone explain the difference from these two? I thought the fuel tank sending unit (under ten dollars) was what told the gauge how much gas you had left...

Thanks.

Answer 1

I'm with Nomadd. I'd also like to contribute that the part you are buying is probably not the entire "sender". You are probably only getting the float or arm or some other incomplete portion of the entire sending unit. The $100 + part is probably what you will need if this is the cause of the problem.

Answer 2

The sending unit works like a toilet bowl float. When the float is up because the tank is full, the sending unit tells the gauge where to be accordingly. Full. If the sending unit is bad the gauge will get a false or incorrect reading. It will not affect mpg because your not actually losing or gaining any gas. Your still burning the same amount of gallons as before only the gauge is lying due to a faulty sending unit. In order to fix it you will need to replace the sending unit which is located inside your fuel tank. The shop must remove the tank to do this so bring it in with the least amount of gas in the tank as possible. They will appreciate that.

Answer 3

PJH is another one of the moron who just makes stuff up to get points. Sending unit and sensor are two names for the same thing. The float in the tank that works a variable resistor. There are aftermarket, no moving parts sensors available, but the factory just uses the cheap float types.

Answer 4

The Level sensor is inside the tank - it tells the sending unit the level & the sending unit sends it to the gauge. If it was "bouncing around" it's probably the sending unit. If you replace that and it still doesn't work then you know it's the level sensor. Also, check the connections before you buy anything.

Answer 5

PART IS 39.93 FROM PARTS WAREHOUSE ONLINE...NEED THE S E N D ING SENSOR ONLY....ACCESSABLE FROM TRUNK WITH TRAP DOOR IN FRONT OF SPARE TIRE UNDER CARPET...