FUEL gauge wrong.

[pootrol]

any one got any ideas on a faulty reading gauge.it gets to empty and still has 40-50 litres in it.is it just the sender.any tweaks i can give it to read more accurate.or is it a replace only thing.

[David_S]

I had a similar problem once with my MQ - fixed itself though before I got round to checking it out! Essentially the cause must be either the sender unit in the tank, the gauge itself, or the connection between the two. If the gauge reads F when full, falls during use and returns to E whenever you turn the ignition off it is not likely to be the gauge. It would also indicate that the connection is probably OK which, unfortunately points to the sender unit. There should be an electrical connector near the tank into which the sender unit plugs. The sender unit is just a variable resistor so if you connect/short the two leads at this connection the fuel gauge should deflect to full. This will confirm that the fuel gauge and the wiring are probably OK. (Presumably you could connect an external rheostat at this point and check the fuel gauge over the whole range - I have never tried this but it should work)

Removing the sender unit is not as big a job as it looks at first, but does involve removing the fuel tank. Just remember to disconnect the battery first. After that it is a question of removing the bash plate, disconnecting filler and breather hoses, fuel outlet and return hoses, the fuel tank gauge connection next to the tank and removing the various bolts.

With the tank removed the lock plate can be removed with a drift and hammer and the sender unit removed. It may just be "gunged" up but having got this far I would be tempted to replace it. I would also drain the tank while you have it off and flush out any sediment.

Hope this helps

David

[pongo]

Yeah, There is a join in the sender that needs to get repaired. If some one has a photo of one i can show exactly where i had to fix mine to stop it being intermittant.

only a 5 min fix . This is for a MK so i presume a gq would be a similiar design flaw

Cheers

[AFeral]

Think all the patrols have this problem. the sender can however be accessed by removing a panel in the floor under the carpet. The only suggestion is bending the arm on the sender so at least then the gauge will read empty when it is. But will give a false reading when registering full.

[pootrol]

thanks fellas.great help ,ill have a look at it this week end.good to know its a common prob..........

[matthewK]

my feul sender is the samein my GQ so i dont bothere fixing it at the time been:),
but if you want the feul sender out, in the GQ well in mine i rolled the carpet back in the back and undone the 3 screw holding the cover then undone sender and pulled out that way

[pootrol]

i wouldnt bother either but i have to use it for work for a while so for convieniance id prefer to know what feul i have.