Fuel guage 2001 chevrolet silverado 1500

It sounds as if the fuel tank sending unit is faulty. This is a small float connected to a variable resistor on the fuel pump/sending unit assembly. Unfortunately this assembly is fairly expensive (over $300) and the fuel tank may need to be removed to replace it.

I've never had to replace one, but I do know that it is somewhere in the guage cluster. Although, chevy trucks have always had a problem with the fuel guage "floating" up and down.

the fuel sender in the tank or wire going to gauge is bad- gauge could also do this but i dont feel it is as likely to be problem.

I had a 2001 silverado 2500 h.d. with the same problems. I took it to a gear head and he found that the emergency brake cable was loose causing it to trigger the warning light on the dash. As far as the low fuel guage I took it back to the gear head and he found that the float in the gas tank was broken causing the low fuel light to come on. The float wasnt a big deal until I lost track of mileage and ran the tank dry.

My Dad had a 1999 Silverado that did the same thing, it's a bad design. You wont run out but keep track of your miles, Then you know how far you can go.

There have been problems with the dash guage module that may cause this problem. Could also check the sender in the tank. If you can access the wires for the fuel sender you can check it with an ohm meter. The reading should stay relatively constant as long as fuel is not sloshing in the tank. If it is the sender, then a fuel pump module is in your future. There are aftermarket fuel modules available and many independant shops that could easily do this repair if the dealer is not inclined to help. If the sender checks out, then it could be the guage/module.

These trucks are notorious for bad fuel sending units. I have replaced 100's of them. They are located on the fuel pump which is inside the gas tank. Sometimes if you rock the truck back and forth real hard and then try it, the gauge may go up but it will soon fail shortly after.

your gauge is part of the integrated unit in the fuel pump module

Your sending unit inside of the fuel tank is probably faulty. Unfortunately you have to drop the tank to change it.

remplace the fueltank sensor.
The first leads of the sensor resistance will get loose and wont give contact in the right place anymore