gas gauge issue

[tigabalm]

ok so a few days ago, i was running on fumes and put in only $5 cuz i was late for school...

got back in the car... and noticed that my gauge was reading full

but was in a hurry so just left for school, figured it would "settle" into what it should be...

but it didnt...

so i went in to fill it up today.... but only 3 gallons went in before it stopped....

so what do you guys think i should do?

thanks

peace

[DarkkstaR]

The gas gods gave you a bonus because you've been buying alot of 93 octane lately. Just make sure you pray tonight and no one will get hurt. :)

[Burntaudi]

I would say your gage sending unit is shot. have someone Vag it for you...you should get a code for a bad sending unit if it's shot.

[Silvant]

i get the same thing and i heard about the sending unit, although i havent thrown a code for it... monitor it with your odometer, i usually get a bit over 300miles to a tank.. mine will say im on fumes, even 0miles.. i will go to fill it and only be able to put in 9-10 gallons..
unfortunately i have also heard this part is upwards of 200bux.....

[samx]

Did this last week. Worked like a charm.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec77.shtml

[SEXICÄN]

same thing happened to mine a while back and i was stupid and took it to a dealer. They fixed it but for $400

[samx]

same thing happened to mine a while back and i was stupid and took it to a dealer. They fixed it but for $400

Yeah, my dealer wanted $350. Screw that. Price on the sender alone is about $65. I was able to just repair mine by soldering in a new wire. All it cost me was a couple of hours and $1.50 for new hose clamps.

[nizmosx]

all you have to do is follow the link posted above and change the thickness of the wire guage and the gauge will work beter than ever. youll maybe spend 10 bucks max. unless you dont have tools and such.

[SEXICÄN]

that would have been great to know about 8 months ago, but stupid me didn't know about AW tech articles

[Pureaudi]

do you think my gas guage is shot if it just fluxuates betweet half and 3/4ths of a take left?

[OverSpun]

Originally posted by Silvant
i get the same thing and i heard about the sending unit, although i havent thrown a code for it... monitor it with your odometer, i usually get a bit over 300miles to a tank.. mine will say im on fumes, even 0miles.. i will go to fill it and only be able to put in 9-10 gallons..
unfortunately i have also heard this part is upwards of 200bux.....

you get over 300 miles to a tank? that is amazing, especially on a S3. i get like 225 on my car. i get the worst gas mileage... anyone know if regapping spark plugs will do anything for gas mileage? i still have stock plugs at stock gap in my car. im thinkin of some bkr6E's gapped at .028 or whatever it is.

[derek]

Originally posted by OverSpun
you get over 300 miles to a tank? that is amazing, especially on a S3. i get like 225 on my car. i get the worst gas mileage... anyone know if regapping spark plugs will do anything for gas mileage? i still have stock plugs at stock gap in my car. im thinkin of some bkr6E's gapped at .028 or whatever it is.

i get 225/tank as well

[SEXICÄN]

really? I get 300 on only 3/4 a tank, i have no idea what i get on a full tank. I neer let my tank go below 1/4.

[tigabalm]

i get any where from 225-275...

hmmm... maybe will try the tech article...

thanks guys!

peace

[samx]

do you think my gas guage is shot if it just fluxuates betweet half and 3/4ths of a take left?

The sender is still probably OK. Look at the picture in the tech article that show a suspect wire. Mine was completely broken. The reason it will still get a reading when the tank is full is because the wires are still able to make contact when the tank had a lot of gas in it and the float was near the top. At some point when the tank begins to empty, the sloshing of the fuel will cause the wire to make intermittant contact and thus make your gauge go "on and off."

Like I said before, I soldered in a new wire and it seems do have done the trick. Once your done, use an ohmmeter to check the resistance of the sender. You can also try cleaning the conections as well and the contact area of the sweeper arm. If it comes down to it and need to replace the sender it'll still be alot cheaper to do it yourself than taking it to a dealer.

It's not to difficult, but be carefull, you are dealing with an open gas tank. Take extra care to keep all sources of spark away from the car. I don't mean to be condescending, but you never know who you're dealing with. Good Luck

BTW, I can get about 275-300 miles to a tank with my T28

[Pureaudi]

damn, i get like around 280 a tank....will a chip boost up my MPG?

[0000_a4]

I am having the same problems on my car and I tried to follow the instructions on your reply but I think the pic on the instructions is different. I have a 1999 a4 1.8t and I lifted the carpet and didnt see the cap. What year and model was it that you on the instructions?

[98a4]

It is being the spare wheel... My 98.5 has it in that location, and its very unlikely that they moved it...

[OverSpun]

Originally posted by Pureaudi
damn, i get like around 280 a tank....will a chip boost up my MPG?

no, chips will definately not make your gas mileage better.. although it doesnt hurt the mileage that bad if you take it easy on the gas...

i think maybe my injectors are dirty, and my 18s weigh me down.

[Pureaudi]

1. what can be some possible reasons why im getting low milage?

2. Is there anything i can buy that will increase my gas milage?

3. Im running 89 octain gas, if i move up to 91 will it increase my gas milage?

thanks!

-DEx

[0000_a4]

Is the cap located on the side near the gas tank? or towards the back seat? i checked it again today i cant find the cap

[Pureaudi]

bump

[samx]

Is the cap located on the side near the gas tank? or towards the back seat? i checked it again today i cant find the cap

Mine was located on the pass side of the trunk, near the front. Right behind the back seat.

If it's not there you can also look under the rear seat. All you have to do is pull up firmly at the front edge of the seat. There's a few snap connectors that just pull apart.

Good luck.