Gold plus warranty on fuel pump and still have to sign for $125 diagnostic fee?

Knockoutpie

Hey guys I have a 2013 370z that has a gold plus extended warranty and service plan. Brought it into the dealership today to get my fuel pump replaced (as soon as I hit 160mile range on the tank it will drop down to a 24 mile reading in under 5 miles) I know this isn't fuel starve or anything because it didn't do this months ago. So I'm aware I have to pay a $100 deductible but they're making me sign a diagnostic fee for $125? Obviously I wasn't happy and threw a fuss.. I ended up saying that fine I'll sign the paper, but if you charge me $125 and not fix anything I'll just make a claim on it with my credit card company saying that you provided no service for what you charged.

Anyone else being forced to pay diagnostic fees with a warranty still on the car? I even showed them a video of what's going on and he tried to bull **** me saying "oh that's normal"

Sorry, it's not normal for fuel reading to drop from 160 miles to 25 miles and then back up to around 90 and drop way log again in under a 5 mile driving period keeping it under 2000rpm.

SouthArk370Z

If I'm understanding what you wrote, the fuel pump is not the problem. The estimated fuel left (miles before empty) is just that - an estimate. And calculated using current fuel usage (it will drop when under load and rise when coasting). Sounds to me that what you are seeing is normal operation.

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Knockoutpie

I refuse to believe a calculated range from 160 miles to 88 miles in under a 2 mile drive is considered normal when keeping the load under 2000 rpm. I just don't see it.

This only happens when I hit 1/3 of a tank. I would say it's normal if I had under 50 miles in the tank, but that's not the case.


Sometimes it will even go as low as 24 miles left on the range from 160 and I haven't even drove 10 miles!

Trips

Have you noticed when this happens if the lite dots on the gas gauge drop by three or two?

If they suddenly go dark with two or three lights remaining then the gas fuel sensors getting stuck to the point it drops and showing the sudden change on the reminder of fuel reading.

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Knockoutpie

Yes I do notice this.
One morning I even started the car and it showed I only had 1 light of gas and I freaked out. The dealership said they tested everything and couldn't find any issues and it was completely normal. I just nodded and went on as to not come off as more of a **** than I already had.

OldGuyFla

Go to another dealership & see what they say about the problem.

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Jhill

Most likely a bad level sensor. GM are notorious for this. Easily tested on the bench but you do have to remove the pump, then use a digital storage oscilloscope set to ohms in histograph view and sweep the level arm repeatedly at a steady pace and watch for any irregularities or drop outs in the graph.

MikeUCFL

Sounds like an issue I had a few years back: Oh no not another fuel gauge issue!

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Knockoutpie

Went to another dealer (didn't even tell them my ordeal at the other dealership) they offered to do it any day of the week and unfortunately I'll be in San Jose for business for 2 weeks so I said on the 7th of Jan. They agreed and even said if I wanted to do it any earlier they'd give me a free rental for a day or so!! They also said there's 2 fuel assemblies in the Z so they'll just replace both of them! Didn't even ask any questions. Will update next week.

Knockoutpie

Just an update. Was in San Jose all last week for business. This week I'm out sick so I haven't drove my car in about 2 weeks. Did manage to get it to the dealership. They said they couldn't find any issues but they'll throw a false code as to be forced to replace 1 of the 2 sending units. Once I get back down to 160miles I'll update you. If the issue isn't fixed they're going to have to replace the other sending unit.

Knockoutpie

Update again. Got my tank down to 166 miles on startup this morning. Fuel 3 dots under half a tank. Warmed it up drove 30 miles to work. Tank went down to 157, then began to raise the fuel level. Tank is now reading half instead of earlier 3 dots lower... During the trip range went up from 157 to 202 miles and once I pulled into my parking lot range went down to 160 miles.. Car thinks my fuel level and range is the same from when i turned it on this morning �� Guess my problem isn't resolved...

Smashley

My car does something similar on my commute to work which consists of mostly highway and ending with 10 minutes of city before I park. I think you should be fine.

*edit - my dots don't move up once down however

Knockoutpie

I'm sure it will do it on the way home. Fuel level dots should stay the same but the range should change...

Often my range will say 160 at 1/3 of a tank with 7 dots and go down to 80 range with 3 dots and my fuel level low indicator comes up. This is all done on a 30 miles commute but the discrepancy will only occur within 5ish miles on a flat stretch. I don't have to be turning or gunning it or anything.