Thread: Introduction / Search Function / Gas Gauge / Aftermarket Stereo

First of all, the introduction: I've been a car guy forever. I just picked up an '04 Grand Prix GT as a daily driver, after retiring a farily-well modded '98 SC Riviera. Before that was my '69 Buick with a 455, nitrous, and port EFI (18 MPG / 11.6@118). But I still consider myself a newbie to the 3800 world. Since I got the GT about a month ago, I've put on new tires, brakes, trans fluid, flushed the brake fluid, replaced the LIM gasket (aluminum), fixed an EVAP system SES light, and lots of little things like wipers and mufflers.

As I browse the forum, I have a bunch of questions but there doesn't appear to be a search function anywhere. Do I have to have a minimum post count before I can search?

One of the problems with my "new" car is the gas gauge. It usually sits on full, but sometimes dives to empty. Never in between. To me this feels like an intermittent wire short somewhere - any common places to look?

I also want to upgrade the stereo. However I see this little security light on the OEM unit. If I replace the stereo, will this cause a problem with the antitheft system somehow?

Thanks,

-Bob C.

p.s. my "hobby" is tires - I worked part time at Sears Auto and National Tire & Battery for about 20 years, and wound up purchasing my own stuff (mounting / balancing) because I liked doing the work and was good at it. If anyone in my area wants some tires mounted & balanced (like from TireRack or whatever) from someone who knows how to do everything right and will take the time, feel free to hit me up.

So, the search function is in the middle of the screen at the top...there's a little magnifying glass up there. Fuel gauge is probably a sender issue which is very common. Stereo upgrade requires a harness. GMOS 1 or something like that...maybe it's a 3...IDK off the top of my head. Welcome to the forum and if all else fails, just ask!

The reason I am having trouble believing that it's the sending unit is that it can go to full or empty, regardless of how much gas is in the tank. Right now I'm using my odometer as my gas gauge.

I would think that a failed sending unit would fail in such a way that it always stays in a single position...? (either full or empty if there is a short or broken circuit, or somewhere in middle if the float got stuck/seized...)

The car does have the access panel in the trunk- that was the first place I looked. I was hoping to see an exposed wire that was worn through the insulation or something like that...

Thanks!

-Bob C.

Originally Posted by Sven The Sexman

So, the search function is in the middle of the screen at the top...there's a little magnifying glass up there.

Awesome- found it, thanks. Now I'll start my search about adding Nitrous to an otherwise-stock NA 3800...

-Bob C.