faulty fuel gauge
Submitted: Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 11:19
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Member - Hurkmagurk (WA)
I have a problem with my fuel gauge. It seems to fall at a "normal" rate to about half full but then it plummets, so it cannot be trusted. Does anyone know if it is fixable, or does it need replacing? (Mercedes Sprinter)
Reply By: Robnicko - Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 12:16
Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 12:16
Hurkmagurk
Have you had jumper leads connected to the battery recently?
The reason I ask is that there was a story on Melb radio about someone who had the same vehicle and they had a flat battery. RACV jump started the car and since then the dash guages started playing up and the person mentioned that the fuel guage was doing the same thing.
Apparently all controlled by the ECU
Rob
AnswerID:
275261
Follow Up By: Member - Hurkmagurk (WA) - Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 12:38
Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 12:38
Thanks Rob. No, no jumper leads used in my time of ownership. All other gauges seem OK, just the fuel does not fall as expected
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Howard T (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 16:37
Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 16:37
Hi Hurkmagurk
My Series 80 does the same. Has done it since new. Am used to it now and will fill up between half and one quarter as I know there isnt much to go.
Cheers
Howard.
AnswerID:
275296
Reply By: Member - Alan H (Narangba QLD - Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 17:55
Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 17:55
The actual shape of the
tank can alter the rate of fuel guage movement. Some tanks are not uniform in shape and so have varying amounts of fuel in the vertical cross section of the
tank.
My 80 series Hangs around for quite awhile and then rushes like hell for the last half of the
tank. The bottom half is smaller than the top half.
I always reset my odometer when fueling and use the odometer as a fuel guage in conjunction with the fuel guage.
Need fuel after 700km towing and needit at about 900km not towing.
Alan
AnswerID:
275302
Follow Up By: kend88 - Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 18:17
Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 18:17
The past half dozen or so cars I have had have all been much the same.
E.g. 350 km from full to half full, think you are going to get 700km.
From half full to Empty, 200km. However, when you go to fill the 75 litre
tank on empty, it only takes 60 litres, so I would have gone close to getting 700km if I had the courage to drive on empty.
Actually had to test it when towing a caravan between
Daly Waters and
Mataranka when the only fuel stop on the way had no fuel.
Guage showed just on empty with 120km to
Mataranka, put 73 litres in the 75 litre
tank when we got there.
Too close for comfort for me.
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539035
Reply By: Member - Hurkmagurk (WA) - Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 18:41
Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 18:41
you can feel the blood pressure rising, can't you!!!
AnswerID:
275309
Reply By: obee - Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 21:39
Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 at 21:39
mate had an exminer that did that. I had one too. Hard worker may have had the ... shaken out of the sender with corrugated roads. I would would be surprised howver to see a Mercedes with that problem.
Owen
AnswerID:
275365