Fuel Gauge is rubbish!

[Jenksbaj]

Hey guys,
Just wondering if any one else has experienced poor feul readings from there feul gauges and on board computers? If so has anyone got any solutions or tips to cure this frustrating prob?
I have owned my W reg 406 hdi estate for 2 months now and have run out of diesel 3 times! Each time the gauge is showing 1/4 of a tank or more and the on board computer has showed 100+ miles!
Help please

[mjb]

Normally you should be aware that there's +/- quarter of a tank depending on whether or not you're parked uphill (under-read) or downhill (over-read).

If what you're saying is true I'd get the sensor/sender checked out.

[alan forbes]

yea mines same if parked facing downhill gauge jams only way is to fill tank that frees it up, computer lies from brim to brim i do approx 700 mls so at 600 i fill up, i dont think that there is an independant warning light like on most cars well ive not had one light up yet, suppose will ave to get new sender unit sometime.

alan

[Jenksbaj]

Thanks for the replies folks.
One more question......how difficult is it to fit a sender unit?

[neildavies]

ah, the old sticky fuel gauge. Apart from changing the fuel gauge, the only other thing your can do is to just watch your fuel level and make sure it's moving when its supposed to. If not, top it up over the level its stuck at. Mine does this once or twice a year.

[amys406]

Hi all, please could anyone let me know where the fuel pump and sender unit is, how easy or hard is it to fit and where's the best place to get one? I've had my X reg for 4 weeks...typical!!....and my empty light came on so I went and put £10 in and the light hasn't gone off, the gauge hasn't moved and the computer just reads -----miles.help!!!!!

[totaleclipse]

yup, completely agree, car normally runs for around 30 miles after the guage drops below the empty mark.

last nigh i ran out of diesel, with the needle bang smack in the middle of the red part.

best is, i had put £10 and only covered 69 miles since, and its not like it was running out before the tenner went in, so gonna give her a wee service methinks.

[john170277]

not got a trip comp bit my normal one is very tempremental you can turn ignition on and have full tank 5 mins later on half

[mjb]

you can turn ignition on and have full tank 5 mins later on half

I get that whenever I'm driving around the countryside with dry roads and no passengers... Somehow seems related to the smoke pouring from the brakes...

[Welly]

The only way to rectify the fuel sender problem is to buy a new lift pump - it's all part of it. Expensive and awkward without the proper tool.

Here's a thread about the pump...viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5903&p=57878&hilit=snap+ring#p57878

And a linky for the tool needed...http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/car-se ... 43845.aspx

Please note the tool looks exactly like the one my mechanic showed me but I can't actually say this tool is the one that will fit (but there's no earthly reason why it won't be right)

[eoin27]

I used a hammer and screwdriver to loosen the O-Ring. You can buy a cheap replacement at the dealers if you feck it up

[Welly]

I used a hammer and screwdriver to loosen the O-Ring. You can buy a cheap replacement at the dealers if you feck it up

EOIN - we're trying to be professhunal here

[totaleclipse]

yup, completely agree, car normally runs for around 30 miles after the guage drops below the empty mark.

last nigh i ran out of diesel, with the needle bang smack in the middle of the red part.

best is, i had put £10 and only covered 69 miles since, and its not like it was running out before the tenner went in, so gonna give her a wee service methinks.

fuel guage now due to have a sticker put over it which sais "aye, just put more in anyway"

ran out AGAIN last night, and AGAIN the guage did not show empty.

[poddack]

See my post before and efter