Fuel gauge suddenly died after filling with petrol?

**Mister Jim Lahey** · 05-11-2018, 04:25 PM

Fuel gauges were working fine then filled tank and immediately neither the mechanical nor Range in Kms registered anything.

Rather than showing 0Kms, the Range reads --- (as per attached). There is no low fuel warning.

Have driven 250 Km since but hasn't righted itself.

Everything else - temps, etc - is working fine.

Any ideas what might cause this?

I have a Vag cable and software.

Thanks

**kamold** · 05-11-2018, 04:58 PM

What are the faults logged in the address 17 instruments?
And/or any other modules.
Might be a problem with the fuel sender in the tank.

**Mister Jim Lahey** · 05-11-2018, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by kamold

What are the faults logged in the address 17 instruments?
And/or any other modules.
Might be a problem with the fuel sender in the tank.

Found these faults but they were around 5,000 kms ago:

00438: Fuel Supply Sensor 2
003 - Mechanical Failure
Frequency 6

00438 - Fuel Supply Sensor 2
010 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent
Frequency 2

**kamold** · 05-11-2018, 05:21 PM

Fuel sender in the fuel tank under the seat needs to be replaced.
If it's a 4motion then there are 2 fuel senders, one under each rear seat.

**Mister Jim Lahey** · 05-11-2018, 05:25 PM

Yes, it's 4motion. Is that an expensive job, and is it something only a VW specialist could do?

Could it be in the wiring?

**kamold** · 05-11-2018, 05:29 PM

It's pretty straight forward.
Any mechanic or home mechanic can do it, not sure on parts cost.

**Mister Jim Lahey** · 05-11-2018, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by kamold

It's pretty straight forward.
Any mechanic or home mechanic can do it, not sure on parts cost.

Thanks, I thought it might involve removing the tank with special tools.

**Hillbilly** · 05-11-2018, 06:31 PM

Just dont do it while smoking LOL

**FSI 220** · 06-11-2018, 07:35 PM

Umai Naa did mine a few months ago (an FSI220 4motion, so the pair) supplied and fitted as a mobile service. I was very happy with how it turned out.

Just noticed you are in Qld ! Tho....

Mine read empty until a restart occurred with a quarter tank left, then it would come good, so probably an implausible signal on the rheostat at the top end of the range...

Noting Kamold’s comments, I wish I had the time to sort this sort of stuff myself... used to work on my own cars till kids/work/yards/house got in the way