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fuel gauge wont work!
Vw nutter - October 2nd, 2004 at 06:33 PM

hey guys my fuel gauge in my 74 bay kombi is not working,
does anyone know why this is not working?
any help would be great
thanks

Anthiron - October 2nd, 2004 at 06:36 PM

have you checked all the wires at the back of the guage? im not familar with kombis, i suppose its easier to do this in a bug than a bus. and make sure the wire on the sender on the fuel tank is connected well and trace the wire back for anywhere it could be shorting...........if u cant find the problem this way then it will either be the sender or the guage. but i bet its just a loose wire.

Vw nutter - October 2nd, 2004 at 07:10 PM

allrighty then i shall have a look
thanks for the help

phantom - October 3rd, 2004 at 07:14 AM

When I attacked mine (bug) I replaced the wire, then the sender unit in the tank.....and then found that the connection of the wire into the back of the guage was actually loose when it looked tight! Been working since......good luck, I know your frustration!

vw54 - October 3rd, 2004 at 07:17 AM

Usually the sender unit fails in a Kombi.

cut an access hole in the rear boot area rather than taking the engine out to remove the fuel tank fire wall and teh fuel tank iteself to check the sender unit.

Once you have the access hole made remove the wire and earth it turn the ignition on and if the gauge reads full then the sender unit is gone.

vern74 - October 3rd, 2004 at 08:25 AM

Hey fellas
I have a similar problem with my 74 bug that maybe you can help me with.
I have replaced the sender unit but still only reads 1/2 tank when full. My trusted mechanic tells me its something behind the speedo........how do I access this area without breaking something as I would like to try tightening the "bits" on the actual guage.
Thanks

bitemeoz - October 3rd, 2004 at 08:29 AM

mine wasn't working so swapped gauges etc no luck. Found out the previous owner had put the battery terminals on the opposites sides. Corrected this and now the fuel gauge is fine.

Anthiron - October 3rd, 2004 at 12:59 PM

hey vern it should be easy to get into your behind the dash area on the bug. you might have a cover over it (you should have a cover over it but they dissapear with years) this will probobly unscrew and then you will be faced with the back of your speedo and stereo etc. good luck

vern74 - October 3rd, 2004 at 02:19 PM

thanks Anthiron
There is a black cover in the front bonnet that would uncocer the back of the speedo. The mechanic said it has the vent and heater thingies in it ?????
I will have a tinker on Tuesday when I am off work
How is the weather down you way today ?
I was there for the first week of the skool hols. Stayed at trafalgar towers

Anthiron - October 3rd, 2004 at 02:27 PM

its bloody warm....must have been about 30 degrees and clear skies

vern74 - October 3rd, 2004 at 02:29 PM

looks warm outside the office today up here as well !
Think i will stay in the office this arvo......gotta work till 7 pm anyway

LOWBUG - October 4th, 2004 at 10:01 AM

God Bless you Dave.

You see Dave dose Know