Fuel gauge issue

**Mister Low** · 01-19-2009 12:11 AM

Having a problem getting a correct reading on my fuel gauge. I did some searches and couldn't get a good answer for my issue on whether it's the cluster or the fuel sender(s).

My gauge works accurately from full to 3/4 full. Then when the gauge is at 1/2, there is roughly a 1/4 tank of fuel left in the tank. It reads just below 1/2 when I hit the mileage I would typically fill up at. So I need input on whether this is the cluster or the senders. The gauge has been pretty consistent with the incorrect readings. This is an '02 1.8t

Thanks!

**J-jizzle** · 01-19-2009 12:22 AM

My fuel gauge does not read much past the 3/4 of a tank mark. When I get gas it will read up to that point but not any further. Unlike you, the gauge reads accurate after that point. I have like 8k on my new fuel pump which is where the sender is located. I have had the problem about 3k, so I might take the pump back out to make sure all the hoses are clear of the Bobber then go from there.

**EBG 18T** · 01-19-2009 05:28 AM

i have had this issue this past summer. The first time they replaced the fuel sender in the tank in August. It seemed to work interminitly after, but never really accurate. In September they ended up replacing the fuel sender again and also the gauge cluster from the dash. Everything works perfect now.

**risc427** · 01-19-2009 09:25 AM

This was a common issue with the B5's, but I'm not sure if Audi changed the fuel sender for the B6's or not. (and if they did, what year did the change occur?) I would check out the fuel sender first.

**Mister Low** · 01-19-2009 10:30 PM

Ok. I'll wait till I get a little lower on gas and I'll take a look at the senders.

It's been semi-irratic since I posted this. It was around 5/8 full, then I drove 30mi and it went back to 3/4. Sound like a bad sender with that issue or a bad cluster?

**EBG 18T** · 01-20-2009 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Low

Ok. I'll wait till I get a little lower on gas and I'll take a look at the senders.

It's been semi-irratic since I posted this. It was around 5/8 full, then I drove 30mi and it went back to 3/4. Sound like a bad sender with that issue or a bad cluster?

I hope for your sake it is a bad sender. The new cluster was $$$$ when i had it replaced.

**Jeff** · 01-20-2009 06:36 PM

It's not always the cluster... but the sending unit. The unit is located under the rear passenger-side seat, inside the fuel tank in front of the pump. The unit looks like the floatball and arm assembly found inside your toilet. The ball sits on an arm, that floats based on the level of fuel inside the tank. There are tiny contact switches that tell the car what level the ball is floating at that act like a potentiometer, providing variable voltages to the car. These contacts start to deteriorate by sitting in the tank and submerged inside the fuel. I tried fixing and cleaning them in the past, but it was a bigger pain than just buying a new one.

**Mister Low** · 01-21-2009 09:03 PM

Jeff I sent you a PM.

I was thinking, with my past VAG experience, that it was a sender. I just need to figure out which sender it could be (a right and left are listed). Tips?

**Jeff** · 01-22-2009 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by Mister Low

Jeff I sent you a PM.

I was thinking, with my past VAG experience, that it was a sender. I just need to figure out which sender it could be (a right and left are listed). Tips?

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