Write-Up: Fuel Pump/Tank Sending Unit Replacement

Thanks turtleman! Looking forward to it.

Did you get this sending unit for the Aurora, or is there a Riv specific unit?

If I remember correctly when he bought it the seller had 98-99 Riv.unit for sale.
Also, remember he's in Canada and so is the vendor if that makes any difference to you. Some people don't like buying from Canadian vendors.

Canada? What's that?

Good point, better to get it here in the states if possible. Rock Auto has a fuel level sensor kit for $128 - think I'd rather do business with the Canadians.

Not having much luck here.

Jack the R wrote:

Did you get this sending unit for the Aurora, or is there a Riv specific unit?

Did your sensor go out too? mine did

It's not entirely out but it doesn't read right. It's still useful within the first half tank.

Jack the R wrote:

It's not entirely out but it doesn't read right. It's still useful within the first half tank.

mine fails... it read full and i went and put 17.8 gallons in my tank

So what's the issue with ordering from Canada? VAT tax?

Come to think about it I bought something from a Canadian Vendor last year without any troubles, although the price did include shipping.
The only issue was it seemed to take UPS a long time to get it here.

I contacted the seller. Apparently he's out of Rivi sensors. He suggested trying a Skylark sensor. Wouldn't the Aurora sensor be a better bet? I'd rather not play "try it and see" either way if it's going to involve splicing wires

Jack the R wrote:

I contacted the seller. Apparently he's out of Rivi sensors. He suggested trying a Skylark sensor. Wouldn't the Aurora sensor be a better bet? I'd rather not play "try it and see" either way if it's going to involve splicing wires

I'm going to splice my wire's... and use hot glue to seal them than shrink wrap and electrical tape.. i don't want those exposed!!!

Where did you find a sensor?

Jack the R wrote:

I contacted the seller. Apparently he's out of Rivi sensors. He suggested trying a Skylark sensor. Wouldn't the Aurora sensor be a better bet? I'd rather not play "try it and see" either way if it's going to involve splicing wires

At his prices, try one of each and let us know.
Splicing wires is not a problem at all. Just solder and heat shrink.
There is such little current in there it can't hurt anything or cause problems. If it could your existing worn rheostat would have already gone BOOM.
Just keep the wires covered and separated. Just like they are now.
I'm serious, there is nothing to worry about as far as explosions unless you cause an substantial arc in gasoline vapor.
This, the rheostat and wiring, is always in fluid gasoline.

Can one of the shop manual guys check to see if the Riv and Aurora have the same tank (if it says?)

Jack the R wrote:

Can one of the shop manual guys check to see if the Riv and Aurora have the same tank (if it says?)

Doesn't say Jack, but there are two different sections for Tank Removal depending on which car, Aurora, or Riv. The Illustrative pictures look exactly the same though.

LARRY70GS wrote:

Jack the R wrote:

Can one of the shop manual guys check to see if the Riv and Aurora have the same tank (if it says?)

Doesn't say Jack, but there are two different sections for Tank Removal depending on which car, Aurora, or Riv. The Illustrative pictures look exactly the same though.

The pictured tanks look the same? Surely they are. Could it be that there are two different sections for ease of use?

Let me know what you think, and I'll contact the seller again. He's offering a money back guarantee in case the part is wrong. I've got no idea how to tell if the part is wrong without installing it though.

Jack the R wrote:

LARRY70GS wrote:

Jack the R wrote:

Can one of the shop manual guys check to see if the Riv and Aurora have the same tank (if it says?)

Doesn't say Jack, but there are two different sections for Tank Removal depending on which car, Aurora, or Riv. The Illustrative pictures look exactly the same though.

The pictured tanks look the same? Surely they are. Could it be that there are two different sections for ease of use?

Let me know what you think, and I'll contact the seller again. He's offering a money back guarantee in case the part is wrong. I've got no idea how to tell if the part is wrong without installing it though.

The pictures they use look the same. No way to know if they are exactly the same, but it would stand to reason that they are.

Maybe the difference is the pumps run different pressures for different engines? I don't know. Just a guess.

Albertj

Duh, I just thought to check Edmunds. Edmunds says the Aurora and Riv both have a 20 gallon tank. Surely GM didn't make a unique 20 gal tank for each vehicle. I'll go ahead and order the Aurora sensor.

I just looked on www.rockauto.com. 1998 Riviera fuel level sensor.

1998 BUICK RIVIERA 3.8L 231cid V6 MFI Supercharged (1) : Fuel/Air : Fuel Level Sensor Price Core Total Advice
ACDELCO Part # SK1037 {#25335941}
SENSOR KIT,FUEL LVL
* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 5 business days

$127.99 $0.00 $127.99
Add to Cart

And 1998 Aurora

1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA 4.0L 244cid V8 MFI (C) : Fuel/Air : Fuel Level Sensor Price Core Total Advice
ACDELCO Part # SK1035 {DUAL PRONG LOCKING FEATURE WITH LOOSE CPA CLIP #25330713, 88963638}
SENSOR KIT,FUEL LVL

$107.89 $0.00 $107.89
Add to Cart
ACDELCO Part # SK1194 {DUAL PRONG ATTACHMENT FEATURE #19121313}
SENSOR KIT,FUEL LVL

$143.79 $0.00 $143.79
Add to Cart

Different parts, available though.

Definitely cheaper though, worth a shot.

Link

The last one's the one I was going to get. But now you've got me worried again

My Gauge works from full to half. Is this an easy fix?

96Super wrote:

My Gauge works from full to half. Is this an easy fix?

I think so. Just open the hatch in the trunk floor, remove the pickup/sending unit and replace. You might need a new locking ring if it's rusty. While you are in there, replace the pickup screen to the fuel pump.

I've directed the eBay seller to this thread. I bet he could sell a few sensors if he could get the right ones available again.