Fuel gauge

Rommel Slammed & Awesome Dubber

85 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 22 Jul 2009, 5:34 pm

#725401

I have a 72 super beetle. The fuel gauge that is in my speedo does not work. Finding it hard to find another so i was thinking of an aftermarket one. My question is can i use the original sender in the tank? Has anyone else changed there fuel gauge. Any help welcome.

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,473 posts · joined Jun 2004 · 22 Jul 2009, 5:46 pm

#725403

its usually the volt stabiliser that dies in them. you can get them rebuilt at any vdo instrument repairer. there are a couple out there. ive had two done so far in two different cars.

“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
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Rommel Slammed & Awesome Dubber

85 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 22 Jul 2009, 5:51 pm

#725404

When i took the fuel guage out is saw the workings. It looks like an old kettle or toaster as in ther is a small wire coiled around and making contact with both sides. My fuel gauge looks like a burnt out bulb, the filament is not conected.

blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 23 Jul 2009, 11:26 am

#725510

where are you located... able to help if ur in melb.

see.... air and water do mix 😉

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro

Rommel Slammed & Awesome Dubber

85 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 24 Jul 2009, 5:35 am

#725639

Rommel is a Canberra car.

blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 24 Jul 2009, 6:57 am

#725645

ok.... you'll need to check it with a multimeter and measure the resistance of the sender.
if there is an open circuit - which is what you are describing by it being like a burnt out bulb - then the sender will not work.
depending upon where the wire has broken ie snapped in the middle or broken at a solder point will determine if you can fix it easily.
a vdo gauge shop will be able to rewire it if broken in the middle.

see.... air and water do mix 😉

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro