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Fuel gauge question
donn - March 22nd, 2015 at 09:52 PM

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

grumble - March 23rd, 2015 at 07:10 AM

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 - March 23rd, 2015 at 08:07 PM

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 - April 1st, 2015 at 01:17 PM

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

psimitar - April 1st, 2015 at 05:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by donn
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.

hulbyw - April 1st, 2015 at 07:45 PM

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 - April 1st, 2015 at 08:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by donn
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 - April 1st, 2015 at 08:29 PM

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 - April 1st, 2015 at 08:40 PM

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

psimitar - April 2nd, 2015 at 06:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by hulbyw
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.

donn - April 2nd, 2015 at 10:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by psimitar
Quote:
Originally posted by hulbyw
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

psimitar - April 4th, 2015 at 10:58 PM

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 :)