Ran out of gas on the 15 South due to faulty Gas gauge

HyperSportRacing · 06-30-2009, 08:06 AM

Going home from North County heading towards San Diego on the 15 south. Truck was running fine with a 1/4 tank left. All of the sudden, No power and lights on the dash. Pulled over to the left shoulder lane around 11pm as I was in a bad situation because i had my family inside. Called Triple AAA with urgency and stated that i was in the left shoulder nearest the #1 lane. AAA told me that someone will be out within 25 mins. Right when i hung up, i see a tow truck right behind me. A good samaritan from AAA was going home and seen us stranded, from his good will he pulled us onto his truck and took us home. He even told us that even if we didn't have AAA he would of taken us off the freeway because he seen us in a very bad situation. Anyways, got the truck home and put 2 gallons of fuel in it and it started right up. I noticed that the gauge still read 1/4 tank with no low level fuel light, WTF? I also looked on this site and seen a TSB on the fuel sensor.

One thing to consider this is that... Even that yours doesn't do this, it is considered a silent recall, The dealer knows about it and if you don't complain about it then this will leave you stranded. So make it a point to get this done. I was very thankful that someone stopped to help us and got us out of a very bad situation. (Blinking lights on the side of the freeway attracts drunk drivers to go that way) Don't put yourself in this situation. Thankfully i was driving and not my wife or had this happen with me not in the vehicle.

I found this file on this site so send thanks to the person who uploaded this.

**P's Titan** · 06-30-2009, 08:10 AM

glad you made it safe off the freeway..

That 15 is raceway

When I get close to a quarter I fill up. I don't trust any fuel gauge, there only estimates

**Carbeaux** · 06-30-2009, 08:12 AM

My ODO never lies about how many miles I've driven, so I have my doubts about me ever being stranded from a low fuel situation.

But yeah, it's a known issue and if you're within 12k miles the TSB will cover it.

Glad you made it home safely though!

sumair · 06-30-2009, 08:20 AM

I miss 15

. Ex murrieta resident here.

HyperSportRacing · 06-30-2009, 08:20 AM

A couple of days before this happened. I filled up the truck, topped it off, and drove away finding out the needle only read 3/4 full. But then stabilized after that. I should of known.

**Carbeaux** · 06-30-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperSportRacing

A couple of days before this happened. I filled up the truck, topped it off, and drove away finding out the needle only read 3/4 full. But then stabilized after that. I should of known.

That's usually the first indication of a bad sending unit. That's what mine does. Haven't seen it read bad on the bottom end. Yet.

**P's Titan** · 06-30-2009, 08:34 AM

My gauge started acting up again. It's moving up and down quite a bit. I've had replaced 3 times already

Like Carbeaux stated.. the ODO doesnt lie so if you usually drive the same way you get a good idea when to fill up

BobNYC · 06-30-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P's Titan

My gauge started acting up again. It's moving up and down quite a bit. I've had replaced 3 times already

Like Carbeaux stated.. the ODO doesnt lie so if you usually drive the same way you get a good idea when to fill up

Mine hasn't acted up in about a year...but I rarely let it get much below a half-tank before filling up. I also always reset the B trip odometer so I know how many miles I've driven on that tank.

b2sdad · 06-30-2009, 09:46 AM

great info about the recall...glad to here you and the family are good, same thing happened to me on Saturday, me and the family were out running around town and all of a sudden the truck shuts down...So i look at the gas gauge I have a solid 1/4 tank... no warning light at all. Next oil change, I am going to get this done at the dealership...

nascarjody · 06-30-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperSportRacing

Going home from North County heading towards San Diego on the 15 south. Truck was running fine with a 1/4 tank left. All of the sudden, No power and lights on the dash. Pulled over to the left shoulder lane around 11pm as I was in a bad situation because i had my family inside. Called Triple AAA with urgency and stated that i was in the left shoulder nearest the #1 lane. AAA told me that someone will be out within 25 mins. Right when i hung up, i see a tow truck right behind me. A good samaritan from AAA was going home and seen us stranded, from his good will he pulled us onto his truck and took us home. He even told us that even if we didn't have AAA he would of taken us off the freeway because he seen us in a very bad situation. Anyways, got the truck home and put 2 gallons of fuel in it and it started right up. I noticed that the gauge still read 1/4 tank with no low level fuel light, WTF? I also looked on this site and seen a TSB on the fuel sensor.

One thing to consider this is that... Even that yours doesn't do this, it is considered a silent recall, The dealer knows about it and if you don't complain about it then this will leave you stranded. So make it a point to get this done. I was very thankful that someone stopped to help us and got us out of a very bad situation. (Blinking lights on the side of the freeway attracts drunk drivers to go that way) Don't put yourself in this situation. Thankfully i was driving and not my wife or had this happen with me not in the vehicle.

I found this file on this site so send thanks to the person who uploaded this.

First off I am glad you mad it home for safe. Just to clarify this is not a "silent recall" this is a technical service bulliten that is put out by nissan to help with the diagnosis & getting the correct parts replaced. Since the sending unit is the only thing being replace then it falls under the 3/36 warranty or service contract. Back when they were replacing the pumps for this it was a powertrain coverage but not any more.

HyperSportRacing · 06-30-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascarjody

First off I am glad you mad it home for safe. Just to clarify this is not a "silent recall" this is a technical service bulliten that is put out by nissan to help with the diagnosis & getting the correct parts replaced. Since the sending unit is the only thing being replace then it falls under the 3/36 warranty or service contract. Back when they were replacing the pumps for this it was a powertrain coverage but not any more.

Thanks for the concern. I had my truck at the dealer numerous times in the past couple of months and they never mentioned this. This is why they call it a 'silent recall' Apparently, they seem to replace it only if it fails or a complaint is brought upon the item. 3/36 or extended warranty it is a known TSB so they should cover it. In my case, the dealer did recognize the issue and will give me a rental for the day at no charge with no mention of date or mileage of vehicle.

Also, i heard that Nissan only pays their warranty jobs at 1/2 the price of retail jobs. So having warranty work isn't really worth their time and effort but good when they only have time to do them. Keep in mind that when it is approved under warranty you get a rental for free paid by Nissan USA. They just don't tell you that unless you ask for it.

04GreenT · 06-30-2009, 05:01 PM

told my dealer that i wanted it replaced under warrenty and they basically told me too bad. They want $580 to replace the sending unit.

Demondw3 · 06-30-2009, 05:47 PM

I have not seen mine act up yet but I am sitting at 1/4 tank and thought about chance a 70 mile round trip to work. I am scared to do it now so there goes another $80.

nascarjody · 07-01-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperSportRacing

Thanks for the concern. I had my truck at the dealer numerous times in the past couple of months and they never mentioned this. This is why they call it a 'silent recall' Apparently, they seem to replace it only if it fails or a complaint is brought upon the item. 3/36 or extended warranty it is a known TSB so they should cover it. In my case, the dealer did recognize the issue and will give me a rental for the day at no charge with no mention of date or mileage of vehicle.

Also, i heard that Nissan only pays their warranty jobs at 1/2 the price of retail jobs. So having warranty work isn't really worth their time and effort but good when they only have time to do them. Keep in mind that when it is approved under warranty you get a rental for free paid by Nissan USA. They just don't tell you that unless you ask for it.

ok so nobody gets the WRONG info. Nissan is a dealers biggest customer so it is very worth there time. You got lucky with your dealer. Nissan does not provide rentals unlass you have a service contract that covers the part being replaced. You happen to have a dealer that is willing to take care of the customer. No dealer HAS to cover anything outside of warranty. So please quit giving incorrect info.

Derwud · 07-01-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascarjody

ok so nobody gets the WRONG info. Nissan is a dealers biggest customer so it is very worth there time. You got lucky with your dealer. Nissan does not provide rentals unlass you have a service contract that covers the part being replaced. You happen to have a dealer that is willing to take care of the customer. No dealer HAS to cover anything outside of warranty. So please quit giving incorrect info.

Jody knows for what he speaks.

Hyper, you have a great dealer reward them with some gravy!