The fuel guage to my beetle isn't working at the moment, it always shows the fuel level at 1/4 or less.

Is there anyway I can fix it without having to get a mechanic to do it....Its frustrating as I never know how much fuel I have or haven't got.

Chances are its the fuel sender in the tank....
they do wear out.... Fuel Gauges rarely fail....

the sender is on top of the tank [not sure what model You have] Some are screwed in with 5-6 small screws....

later ones just UNSCREW -- like a Vegemite jar...
well sort of.... I'm not sure how one actually unscrews the later ones, if there is something to grab onto.....

So, If Yours has the screws....
You just Pull the wire off the connector first....
then just unscrew the sender and take it out ,
slip in the replacement... and screw it back up....

Best of Luck

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

Cheers Lee

I have a '74 model...I'll get my dad to do the dirty work for me

Yours will probably have the fuel senders that just unscrew
like a vegemite jar...

and just screw the other one back in....

Most probably the easiest thing to do on a beetle....

cheers
Lee

how bout a manx guys?? mine hasn't worked in years. do i have to take off the entire front to get to it?

Sorry more than likely its the vibrator or Resistor fitted to the back of the fuel gauge. You need to go to a VW place that has these S/H as thats the only way u can buy them now.

Trial and error fitting a replacement one will fix the problem.

Call Vintage at Campsie just a short drive along the M5 9789-1777

Its hard to get them right.

had virtually the same problem myself

get a test light. pull the wire off the top of the fuel sender, connect to the test light and find a grounding point. the light should be on, then off, then on etc etc (thats the vibrator working). its most likely then that its the sender unit (as someone else said gauges rarely fail)

if there is no light at all then its most likely the vibrator needs to be replaced on the back of the speedo

for me it was the sender. make sure u use the SAME type as what u already have. i originally had a float type, bought a sealed type (brand new), it died, bought another 2nd hand, it died, bought a new float type...it lives!

Might sound a little stupid, but check the ground for the sender?

Yeah our beetle had a poor earth under one of the screws