Gas gauge seems to be stuck on full

Nick-

 

Re: The gas gauge.

 

Yeah, about that... I could be a smarty pants and tell you to do a search, but I'll just cut to the chase. The gas gauge stays on full until you've got about 1/4 tank, then takes a nosedive to "E". If that dude starts moving, fill it up.

 

You'll learn to rely on your trip odometer. But, whatever you do-- don't reset it while you are moving. Ever. When you fill up, and are completely stopped, push the reset button twice. Look for gas when you see the needle move. Fill it for sure when it reads 1/2 (which will be about 20 miles after you see it move). Carry your cell-phone until you get the hang of it.

AHAH. Thanks Stan!

 

Yeah, I did search and found a bunch of somewhat related issues, but nothing quite like mine. I guess I should have prefaced with the fact that I've owned the car for a year now and never noticed it react this particularly bad. I do indeed watch the odometer though (and yep, I know not to reset it while moving). 

 

I could also carry a wooden ruler like some other related posts suggest (as another back up). 

 

So I take it you think this behavior is totally normal?

You know, Nick-- I just gave up on mine and went to a "low fuel" light. I had NH Speedometer re-do the gauge with an oil pressure gauge, so I'd have something with some use.

Nick, take Cosmo Kramer for a ride just to see what you can get out of a tank. Stan is correct, if you know your gas mileage (within reason), trust your odometer. I can probably get 16 to 23 mpg depending on how you're driving. 8 gallon tank...128 miles to 184 miles. Are you feeling lucky? The math gives you something to do at stop lights. Unfortunately, you'll find that peace of mind comes with more frequent gas station stops, which then leads to the inevitable questions by the curious bystanders. It just comes with the territory, enjoy.

I'm glad this was brought up. Before I hijack the thread I will say that on the cars I've messed with, when you unhook the sender from the gauge it goes to full so I would check to see if you have 12v on the gauge hot side. Then use a continuity light to check that the lead from the sender is making contact with the gauge.  If this is all OK, measure the resistance to ground on the sender post. It should read 0 to 30 ohms.  If all this checks out, maybe the sender is stuck full, but this almost never happens.  When I got my car the tank was dry so I put about 2 gallons in it and the gauge barely moved. This is actually pretty helpful because when the gauge is almost on empty I know I have about 2 gallons left. When I filled it the indicator went to full as it should

Just in case, I am going to follow you guys advice and fill up when the gauge is on half, then I won't have to call AAA!  Thanks

Anyone prefer common sense ? Learn about your car. Some cars differ from others. Fill the bugger up, drive and when it shows about 1/2 tank, record what it takes to fill it up again. Be brave and go down to it hits 1/4 tank and record again what it takes to fill it up again. Then drive again till the guage hits rock bottom ( not rocking between 1/4 and rock bottom but just as it hits rock bottom ) and fill the bugger up again and do the math. Not content with that ?....bring a gallon can of fuel with you and drive till it quits. Understand everything then. Mileage means nothing per gallon depending on how you drive. Rich knows beer but little about mileage.......Hi Rich...:-)  Gas gauges were designed specifically to indicate how much fuel is in the tank.

I have almost been stranded when I first drove my Beck. I simply took the gauge sender out (very easy) and kept bending the rod on the float until I got a gauge thatg made some sense. Full "is" full,and as it goes down,it will hit 1/4 tank and there is 2 gallons or so left which is perfect. It took a few times of trial and error,but it was worth the effort.   

I must have an unusual car in that the gas gauge works pretty well.  Full is full, 2/4 is half, and empty is empty - well the closest I've come is actually about .75 gallons.  I average ~25 mpg with a fairly heavy right foot, by the way.

Lane, mine too.  The scale is logarithmic vs linear, but it's a accurate.

My gauge works pretty well also but still use the odometer as my backup.

 

Stan, I'm totally digging on the low fuel light:-)

Can you see it in the sun? Maybe you could hook up to an audio alarm that sounds like the robot from lost in space. "Warning Will Robinson" 

Mine goes a little over 3/4, 1/2 then it starts the bounce; that's when you know the jig is up.

Marty-

 

It works perfectly. It flickers, then comes on hard after 10 mi or so. Honestly, with the big tank, I just fill up at 200- 250 mi. The car handles better with the weight of the fuel in the tank anyhow.

 

Actually, one of the more ambitious future projects is to build my own fuel tank to carry the bulk of the fuel low, behind the beam. I'm pretty sure I can increase my trunk space, carry the fuel lower, and make a great space for my mini-spare if I can get up the courage to break out the sawzall.

Set your odometer to zero each time you fill tyhe car and use mileage as a double check.

 

I get a little better than 26 mpg but use 25 mpg as a check.  My tank is 8 gals so I know I can go 200 miles before empty.  I should show 100 miles at 1/2 tank and 175 at 3/4 tank, etc.

 

I had your same problem with my guage showing full when I knew it was 1/2 or less in the tank.  The problem was that the connector to the fuel tank in the trunk of my VS had been knocked off by luggage on a trip.  I wish everything was as esay to fix as that was!

Stan:

 

What's this 'big tank'?

 

 

37 mpg on 89 octane.  10 gallon tank.  No ETOH when ever possible (in my gas tank).  Same mileage as my Fiat 500.

It's just the big VW tank-- advertised variously as 11- 13 gallons, depending on who is selling them. Mine is a lot closer to 11 than 13, which gives me a range of about 250 mi before I need to fill up. That's just about right for my 50 year old bladder and back.

Thanks guys! Lots of great replies. And Stan, that low fuel light is mighty slick!

I have a different problem in that my tank never seems to register full On the gauge.  I am not certain of the capacity, but I drive from home to Christiansburg with fuel to spare (250 miles).  I averaged 36.7 mpg on that trip.  I was pleased with that.

Hoss, I wouldn't worry about the accuracy between half and full.  It's the empty to quarter full accuracy that's important.

I'll be....I kinda checked my MPG the other day on a 250 mile trip on secondary roads at 50-60 MPH and I got over 38 MPG ??? 

 

 

Not possible, I thought...I must have made a mistake...it was kinda like seeing Bigfoot....I didn't dare tell anyone.... they would think I was lying or stupid or both...

 

Those were ideal conditions for fuel mileage but ???? 

 

As for the thread, I never pay any attention to the fuel gage.  I always fill up and pee after about 200 miles...    

 

 

   

If you have a VW type 1 tank it is 10.2 Gallons. Before VW added a gas gauge they had a reserve valve on the tank. Hence the R on the tank. Even with a flaky dancing gauge you will have 2 gallons left once it stays on the R. My mileage is around 20 in town and 26 hwy. I make sure I fill up no later than 200 miles. The most I have ever put in the tank was a little over 9 gallons at 224 miles. Per previous comments do not reset the trip gauge while moving. If you get the tank completely full, the gauge will stay in that position for some time. Once it starts to dance it goes down very quickly. I would think there are enough old VW's on the road that some mfg would come up with a better sender. I would gladly pay $100 for one.