130tdi fuel gauge reading too high

[woofdog]

So as title says, the fuel level in the cluster is out by about a quarter of a tank, consistently. Then the gauge stops at last quarter until your empty! I know as I just ran out on the M6!! Just bought this car so..
The fuel warning light came on, just below half a tank, so i think that was about right, just the level seems to be too high by said amount.
I took out the sender and cleaned up the contacts but that hasn't changed anything. So i'm wondering if the level in the cluster needs recalibrating (if that can be done) or is faulty or the sender unit is at fault!
Anyone with any experience of this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul_TDi]

When you turn the engine off does the needle drop to the bottom or does it only drop to onto the red? That would determine if the clocks have been tampered with to an extent....

 

[woofdog]

When you turn the engine off does the needle drop to the bottom or does it only drop to onto the red? That would determine if the clocks have been tampered with to an extent....

Hi thanks for your reply, the needle drops as you would expect..

 

[ex911driver]

You can change the level reading with vcds.

 

[@udi A3]

You can change the level reading with vcds.

How do you do this and to what extent can i alter the fuel guage readings? mine doesnt move off full untill 150-200 miles, and the last 1/4 tank takes about 50 miles

 

[Cobra88]

if you have had the sender out of the tank
you need to align the arrow on the sender with the arrow on the tank or it will never go under a quarter of a tank

Check the arrows are lined up

thats what the tank is like on my Diesel (would expect petrol to be same tank)

Regards
Rick

 

[woofdog]

if you have had the sender out of the tank
you need to align the arrow on the sender with the arrow on the tank or it will never go under a quarter of a tank

Check the arrows are lined up

thats what the tank is like on my Diesel (would expect petrol to be same tank)

Regards
Rick

Yea I lined the arrow up on top of the sender it that's what you mean? Cheers

 

[woofdog]

Some developments.. I filled the tank with diesel! Ouch!! Just done 55 miles and the needle hasn't moved, but also noticing now, when turning the engine off the needle doesn't drop all the way, it goes down to bottom of the red for about 15 seconds, then finally drops right down. So I am 99% sure this is a cluster issue. I have heard of companies who will re furb the cluster units, (I don't want to go down a new unit route..)
anyone know of who might be good for this work? Cheers

 

[Paul_TDi]

Not heard of people refurbing them but you could look out for a 2nd hand unit on ebay or a car being broken and just swap your clocks over. You would just need a vag-com wizard to switch them.

 

[woofdog]

yea dont really want to go down that route. This place say they can do a repair on the gauge and turn it around in three days all for 90 quid plus vat! Sounds very reasonable to me.

 

[Cobra88]

Hi Woofdog

What is the number on your clocks
are they full or half DIS ?

I might have a spare set of half Dis clocks laying round.
8LO 920 950 B depends if yours is a 130 sport or not (these are not sport)

 

[woofdog]

Hi mate, thanks for the offer.

I'm not sure of the number but it IS a 130 sport so I guess they wouldn't work.

 

[Cobra88]

depends if you have a full DIS or a Half DIS

 

[woofdog]

not sure what the difference is.. does the full have trip computer etc? As mine just has service indicator and oil warnings etc.. no trip

 

[Cobra88]

you have half DIS then mate

no MPG or outside temp etc

 

[woofdog]

you have half DIS then mate

no MPG or outside temp etc

no none of that jazz mate.
Let me know how much you want for them if you find them! I would have to get my local VAG specialist to program them in tho right? Does the mileage carry over?

 

[Cobra88]

No the mileage can be altered on the clocks once they are coded to your car

I have the SCK number for the clocks i have.
I'm offshore currently and will be back Monday AM
will have a dig then and see what i have.
Not 100% sure i still have them

Regards
Rick

Yep you will need to get a VAG specialist to code them to your car

 

[amicallef1991]

Hi guys,

Sorry for bringing up an old ish thread but i have the same issue.

Had the car for 3 days, driving on the M4 and ran out of fuel. Its a 1.9TDI 130 SE

My fuel warning light came on at just under half a tank aswel and my car died at 1/4 left.

Ive just checked and when i turn my car off the fuel needle doesnt drop all the way. It stops on the last notch. Pic below.

Mine is a half DIS as you can see in the pic. Im actually wanting to upgrade to full dis and add full trip computer.

It appears that the fuel gauge is misconfigured but how to i rectify it and why would it be wrong in the first place?

Hope you guys can help

Thanks in advance!

 

[woofdog]

Hi did, you ever get this issue sorted out of interest?

 

[@udi A3]

Quite common for fuel guage to miss read before full failure of cluster. Could last months or minutes!
I can fit and correct milage if you get stuck. Woofdog did u fix yours?