Fuel Gauge Not Working, Mk2 2.1 td estate

[Peter.N.]

The fuel gauge doesn't work on my newly acquired car. There is very little voltage (about 0.6) on the plug to the level sensor on the tank. I have replaced the complete instrument panel - no change. I suspect a bad connection or broken cable somewhere. Has anyone had this problem?

Thanks in anticipation.

Peter.N.

[onthecut]

Hi Peter.

As you've got the twin car, have you tried swapping the sender units, just to rule that out as a reason ?

Mike.

[Peter.N.]

Hi Mike

Unfortunatly I dont have my car here, my son has it! I had really ruled that out on account of the fact that there is virtually no voltage at the sender plug when disconnected from the unit. It has a 3 wire ribbon cable going from the sender, presumably because it goes under the carpet, I assume its connected to the loom somewhere, if I knew where I could check it. I have tried shorting all combinations of the wires together but no movement on the gauge.

Peter.

[demag]

Have you tried shorting to the body? Usually if the gauge is ok it will show some movement. Apologies if you've already tried.

[Peter.N.]

Hi Dave

No I havn't tried that, its not so easy with a plastic tank! Good sugestion though, as it could be the earth lead thats gone o/c. I can remember having a car with a metal tank where the earth to the tank had gone o/c! It was fixed by metal straps which had corroded over their entire surface.

Peter.N.

[Peter.N.]

I have today, taken out the back seat, drivers side floor trim and carpet and the dashboard and traced the leads from the sender right back to the instrument panel, and guess what, between pins 1 and 4 on the green/grey? plug, I have 160 ohms which goes up and down if I rock the car! In other words, the 'new' instrument panel I fitted must also be duff. Unless anyone knows different.

Peter.N.

[Peter.N.]

I got into the car this morning, switched on the ignition and lo and behold the fuel gauge was working and the oil level gauge light had gone out (its been on since I had it) I drove about seven miles, left it parked, when I returned, no fuel gauge and the light was back on again. ?

Peter.N.