Gas gauge fluctuations?

[Stewy]

Anyone else had this problem? I've noticed a difference of close to a 1/4 of a tank in my Golf. It obviously doesn't happen every day, but it's happened enough for me to be skeptical..

Thanks, Keel.

[Kor]

Re: Gas gauge fluctuations?

Needs some sugar to stabilize the reading.

[djstorm]

Re: Gas gauge fluctuations?

Needs some sugar to stabilize the reading.

Water works well too...

[Kor]

Re: Gas gauge fluctuations?

In all seriousness, I think most cars have gas gauges that aren't perfect, not much you can do. Maybe try the dealership.

[dublicious]

Re: Gas gauge fluctuations?

my guage seems to stick at full and half

but other than that it seems good

[Khyron]

Re: Gas gauge fluctuations?

Tank hold more than F indicated, so it can take 100+ K before it even starts moving. The last 1/4 goes much quicker than the first.

You should know ballpark how many km/tank highway/city you get anyway - fuel gauge isn't really needed if you use the trip computer.

[zoik]

Re: Gas gauge fluctuations?

i have the exact same problem. from what i heard it's a pretty common problem for my car. so the fuel sending unit is one of the next things to get done.

[RONDAL]

Re: Gas gauge fluctuations?

i fixed my problem that was occuring with this. what it is, is in the tank there is the stock fuel pump (MK3) and attached to think is this little bicycle pedal like device which is used to the measurement. As the float goes up and down it moves a bar attached to a lever along a thin strip of metal which reads how full the tank is. What happens is corrosion builds up between the little bicycle device and its contact point on the metal strip where the measurement is taken. Pulling the fuel pump and using a piece of emory cloth to clean off the contacts is the easiest fix. I have a pic of a stock mk3 fuel pump if people need greater explanation, the bicycle pedal description is confusing but will make immediate sense when you see the thing in front of you.

this sorts out most of the issues w.r.t. mk3's, other mk's i am not 100% if this is the same