Fuel guage problem

[AndyCollins]

Hi Guys

have just purchased a 1999 A4. I have noticed that when I fill the car with fuel the needle on the guage doesn't go all the way to the top. It sits half way between 3/4 and full. Is this common or is something wrong?

Many thanks
Andy

 

[neiloneilo]

I bought a 1999 S3 2 weeks ago, and ran out of fuel at 1/8 full with the computer saying 30miles to go.
I bumped into the dealer manager in a pub who informed me that it just needs recalibrating.

 

[SonicDeathmonkey]

I thikn this is common on Audis. My S4 is exactly the same. when the computer says 10 miles left, it only takes 40 litres of fuel of out a supposed 62 litre tank!

 

[leespears1]

common with quattro as fuel tank is wierd shape due to the diff i think.

 

[godwine]

leespears1 is right. That is something unique to the Quattro only due to the shape of the tank.

 

[Mutinyno9]

I had the same problem on my 99 A4. I took it to a dealer and got it fixed for $400. For an alternative, there is tech article on www.audiworld.com that walks you through steps on fixing it yourself.(i wish i would have seen that before it took it to a dealer, but oh well its fixed now)

 

[ImolaS4]

NO, NO, NO!!

This is a classic sending unit failure. If the car is under warranty, it will be replaced at no charge. It takes about 1 hr. labor, of which, some of that time is taken up by driving the car with the windows down after the R&R because fuel fumes get into the cabin. The unit is accessed through the interior of the car - the trunk.

 

[Mutinyno9]

I had to go with dealr(or independant) i didn't have warrenty

 

[JAmenda]

May car is in the shop for this right now! Something to do with the dash I was told! I will update once I get it back!

 

[Mutinyno9]

Thats what they told me too
"we had to first see if the problems was with your cluster guages' dial"

Then later they told me it was my fuel sensor

 

[JAmenda]

What was the final resolution for this? This way I can give the mechanic a hint since it seems like he has no clue at this point! Thanks!

 

[Mutinyno9]

Well, for me, it was the fuel sensor

 

[JAmenda]

OK thanks, I guess we have two different cases here. I will let you know the outcome of my situation.

 

[Mutinyno9]

If its the sensor, i would say do it yourself, if you have the resources(time, and alternate transportation(if needed)) If its is a problem in the Guage i would say let the mech. do it. But yeah keep us posted on the final outcome.

 

[neiloneilo]

I've just dropped mine off this morning to have a few things sorted under warranty including the fuel problem. When talking to the mechanic about the fuel he said it will be a cluster gauges change. Only I don't intend on testing if they fixed the problem, I ran out of fuel with 1/8th remaining.

 

[AndyCollins]

Original poster: My car is a 99.5 A4 and is out of warranty. Could someone recommend what my next course of action should be? How should I determine if it is the sender or the cluster guages? If it is the later how much would this cost in the UK?

Thanks