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Petrol Gauge incorrect reading???
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:50 am
by waveydavey
Just noticed on my way to work this morning that my petrol gauge seems to be showing an incorrect reading....... that or i've suddenly got exceptional fuel economy....... My tacho reads 230-ish miles since i filled up but my petrol gauge is showing between 1/2 & 3/4!!!!! normally it would show between 1/2 & 1/4 at this stage.... I normally get around 280-290 miles on the clock when the light comes on then i fill it up between 300 and 320 miles. The needle drops like normal when i turn off the ignition. It doesn't stick or anything like that.
I'm gonna check whether it drops all of a sudden as i get towards 300 miles. Just wondered if anybody has any ideas on what the problem could be and whether it's gonna be an expensive fix.
Cheers
Dave.
Noticed
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:17 pm
by morrismen
I noticed that I put in £20 of petrol when middle of the red near empty and this took the gauge up to 2/3 full. I think you'll find that the last 1/3 of a tank will take another 18 litres of more to fill up to 42-44 litres.
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:49 pm
by Prash
Yep, mine does this too. The first half of the tank usually gets upto about 250 miles, then it all goes to pot, no matter how I drive
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:15 pm
by dubpolo
do you guys not know how to use your right foot?

250 miles and i would be in the red! the most i've ever got was 320 and that was all motorways!
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:49 pm
by waveydavey
Thanks for the replies guys...... But upto now my gauge has been ok..... i.e. in the past when my tacho said i had done around 230odd miles my needle would be just above 1/4 now its showing over 1/2!!!! It would appear that something has gone faulty somewhere i was just wondering what it may be and whether it is a big/costly job to remedy.
Cheers
Dave.
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:09 pm
by dubpolo
try changing the fuse
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:47 pm
by Si_GTi
dubpolo wrote:do you guys not know how to use your right foot?

250 miles and i would be in the red! the most i've ever got was 320 and that was all motorways!
I get 270-280 these days, using Ultimate. It'd be even less without the extra benefits of premium fuel. 300-320 miles out of a tank of fuel? Gadzooks man!

I've never seen 300 on my tacho... like Prash I get about 220-240 on half a tank or just over, then it drops quickly over the next 30 miles or so to the red, and when the light comes on I find a BP garage!
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:05 pm
by dubpolo
that was when i drove to the polo show!
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:13 pm
by waveydavey
I get 270-280 these days, using Ultimate. It'd be even less without the extra benefits of premium fuel. 300-320 miles out of a tank of fuel? Gadzooks man! Shocked Very Happy I've never seen 300 on my tacho... like Prash I get about 220-240 on half a tank or just over, then it drops quickly over the next 30 miles or so to the red, and when the light comes on I find a BP garage!
I usually get around 300-320 out of a tank.... and before this week the gauge would be reading around 180ish at 1/2 full and the light would light up at around 280ish and between 1/4 & empty on the guage.
I've got home and have now done around 260ish miles and the guage is still showing over half full....... Tried changing the fuses for both fuse 11 & 27 i think they were which showed as the dash displays and no differance other than now my airbag light is perm. lit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'vwe phoned the dealer and got the car booked in for this Thursday to check both the petrol gauge and the airbag system............. Will also mention the washer system leaking which they checked last week and said they couldn't find any leaks.... my neighbour knocked on the door the other day to tell me my car was leaking water all over the drive... went and checked and found washer system water dripping out of the front bumper!!!!!
Let's see what they find on all three counts on Thursday!!!!!
Cheers
Dave.
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:17 pm
by bstardchild
waveydavey wrote:But upto now my gauge has been ok..... i.e. in the past when my tacho said i had done around 230odd miles my needle would be just above 1/4 now its showing over 1/2!!!!
Just as a point of note
Revcounter = Tachometer
Speedo = Nah I'll leave that one
Odometer = total mileage recorded
Tripmeter = the one you can reset
I hope this helps - I was very confused by your orinal thread but now I understand

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:21 pm
by waveydavey
Just as a point of note
Revcounter = Tachometer
Speedo = Nah I'll leave that one Wink
Odometer = total mileage recorded
Tripmeter = the one you can reset
I hope this helps - I was very confused by your orinal thread but now I understand Laughing
Oops...... Sorry bout that BC........

I was typing away at work with one eye on what i was typing and the other on where the big boss man was wandering around.
Cheers
Dave.
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:00 pm
by nickpolo
i know this post is a bit old, but thought i'd ask anyway - waveydavey, my gti is leaking washer fluid from its front bumper - the pass side headlight washer i think. and also the airbag light has become perm. lit the last couple of days - would just be interested to find out what was up with yours in the end and what vw said/charged etc.
ta
Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:33 am
by waveydavey
nickpolo wrote:i know this post is a bit old, but thought i'd ask anyway - waveydavey, my gti is leaking washer fluid from its front bumper - the pass side headlight washer i think. and also the airbag light has become perm. lit the last couple of days - would just be interested to find out what was up with yours in the end and what vw said/charged etc.
ta
Bloody 'ell this post is old!!!!!
The petrol gauge rectified itself.........
The airbag light the dealer fixed by reseting the airbag system via vagcom i believe.... i can't remember whether they actually chargerd me for this.......
With the washer they said they couldn't find a leak..... I have since found that if i use my waher with the lights on..... i.e. the headlight washers are used..... i get a small patch of washer water on the drive.... if i use them and then use the rear washer or the windscreen washers on their own i don't get a leak on the drive....... got me stumped but i'm gonna mention it when i get it serviced in January.
Cheers
Dave.