Fuel gauge question

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 22 Mar 2015, 9:52 pm

#1010247

The fuel gauge in my vert has karked it, it was a bit hit and mis for a while, ie, worked sometimes but then stopped workin, but has now stopped completely so I replaced the unit in the tank with a new out of the box unit, no change, I removed the speedo ( the gauge is in with the speedo ), checked the connections where tight and clean but that also made no difference. There's a small box like part attached at the rear of the gauge, it is branded with the VDO name, could that ( whatever it is ) be faulty and the cause of the malfunction ? Is there any way that the connections etc be checked with a multimeter? Any suggestions welcome and appreciated.
Thanks
Don

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 23 Mar 2015, 7:10 am

#1010262

donn the little box is the voltage stabiliser and controls the power to the gauge,if you briefly touch the wire to the tank unit to earth with the ignition on the gauge should go to wards full. If this doesn't happen then the stabiliser is most likely the problem,if the gauge works then it is the tank unit. I am assuming that you have tried another earth from the sender to a good clean point on the body.

hulbyw Insano Dub Head

819 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 23 Mar 2015, 8:07 pm

#1010292

If it is the gauge that is faulty it can be repaired for a lot less than a new repro one. The voltage stabiliser can also be replaced with a solid state item as an upgrade. Got mine done at an instrument repairer in Melbourne
Cheers

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 1 Apr 2015, 1:17 pm

#1010693

Thanks for the sugestions,I have come to the conclusion that the problem must be in the voltage stabiliiser so it's off to the auto electrician just in case i've missed something. hulbyw, can you give me a bit more info on the solid state thingie in case the auito electrician asks me
Thanks
Don

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 1 Apr 2015, 5:49 pm

#1010708

donn wrote:Thanks for the sugestions,I have come to the conclusion that the problem must be in the voltage stabiliiser so it's off to the auto electrician just in case i've missed something. hulbyw, can you give me a bit more info on the solid state thingie in case the auito electrician asks me
Thanks
Don

The solid state device is just a voltage regulator. Check out Speedy Jims website cos pretty sure he has the output voltage somewhere on his site. It's not 12v from memory. The T022 3 pin type regulator is the easiest one to use and I think it only needs to be able to handle 2amps max.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

hulbyw Insano Dub Head

819 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 1 Apr 2015, 7:45 pm

#1010711

The solid state regulator is just a modern version of the original.
Brand is CPT. 15w DC/DC converter. In 12v and out 5v 3a max.
Cheers...Wayne

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 1 Apr 2015, 8:19 pm

#1010714

donn wrote:Thanks for the sugestions,I have come to the conclusion that the problem must be in the voltage stabiliiser so it's off to the auto electrician just in case i've missed something. hulbyw, can you give me a bit more info on the solid state thingie in case the auito electrician asks me
Thanks
Don

Donn Namiiss in Newcastle used to repair my speedos and gauges when i had my workshop,good to deal with and quality work.

hulbyw Insano Dub Head

819 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 1 Apr 2015, 8:29 pm

#1010715

Just spotted the CPT reg on ebay at USD 3.56 with free shipping. Seller whitesibirien. I paid $40 from the speedo guy!
Cheers

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 1 Apr 2015, 8:40 pm

#1010717

Thanks grumble, I've used Namis myself to repair a VDO speedo
Hulbyw, Thanks, good to know

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 2 Apr 2015, 6:48 pm

#1010756

hulbyw wrote:Just spotted the CPT reg on ebay at USD 3.56 with free shipping. Seller whitesibirien. I paid $40 from the speedo guy!
Cheers

From RS components it's less than $2 from memory inc shipping if bought online. 🙂

If you like, now that I know what the output voltage and current are I can link the RS part on here.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 2 Apr 2015, 10:13 pm

#1010776

psimitar wrote:
hulbyw wrote:Just spotted the CPT reg on ebay at USD 3.56 with free shipping. Seller whitesibirien. I paid $40 from the speedo guy!
Cheers
From RS components it's less than $2 from memory inc shipping if bought online. 🙂

If you like, now that I know what the output voltage and current are I can link the RS part on here.

That would be good, thanks

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 4 Apr 2015, 10:58 pm

#1010875

So this should do the trick

5v @3amps voltage regulator

Pretty sure it's the one Speedy Jim has recommended in the past on other VW websites 🙂

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍