Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Fuel Sending Unit Question
Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Pbotsonis
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: Parker, Colorado
Pbotsonis is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:51 pm    Post subject: Fuel Sending Unit Question Reply with quote

So I'm taking my Thing to the shop tomorrow and I'm trying to fix everything I can myself (it cheaper that way).

My fuel sending unit is constantly reading full. When I disconnect the wire from the unit it reads empty, but when I plug it in it reads completely full.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for all the help!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mondshine
Samba Member


Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 2765
Location: The World's Motor Capital
mondshine is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check your fuel sending unit (sounds like it's shorted).
Remove it from the tank.
Connect your ohm meter to the sending unit with one lead attached to the spade terminal, and the other lead attached to the frame of the unit.
With the float up, (full tank) you should see about 10 Ohms.
With the float down, (empty tank) you should see about 75 Ohms.

Also, look for a smooth transition from full to empty (with no radical jumps in resistance through the travel of the float).

It might be time for a new sending unit.

Good luck, Mondshine


Last edited by mondshine on Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Pbotsonis
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: Parker, Colorado
Pbotsonis is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it does need to be replaced, I just didn't want to admit it. I hate to replace it because the part number starts with 181.

I was hoping to keep the original sending unit, but I guess it happens.

I'll run the test tomorrow. Thanks for you help
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mondshine
Samba Member


Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 2765
Location: The World's Motor Capital
mondshine is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're right, I just looked at mine and see that it's a 181 part.
If you're not a stickler for detail, you can use a Beetle part which will require you crimp a female disconnect (insulated would be good) on the end of the brown wire.

For example:
http://www.jbugs.com/product/113919049D.html?Categ...-1968-1974
There might be better (German) ones available........
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Pbotsonis
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: Parker, Colorado
Pbotsonis is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll probably end up going with a beetle one. I'm not that much into detail I just thought it was a cool feature.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Wildthings
Samba Member


Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50260

Wildthings is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pbotsonis wrote:
I'll probably end up going with a beetle one. I'm not that much into detail I just thought it was a cool feature.


Pull it out, figure out what is wrong with it, and then fix it if possible.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Pbotsonis
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: Parker, Colorado
Pbotsonis is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks. I'll try to test it this week and will let you guys know.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Ron Domeck
Samba Member


Joined: August 05, 2007
Posts: 1466
Location: louisville Ky
Ron Domeck is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Thing Shop has these with the stud for the cover.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
CraigInPA
Samba Member


Joined: March 09, 2011
Posts: 212
Location: Norristown, PA
CraigInPA is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

always reading full is usually easier to fix than always reading empty...

Always full is usually the arm stuck in the up position. Remove the sender and make sure the float is still on the end, then *gently* move it up and down until it moves smoothly.

Always reading empty is usually the arm rusting out inside and releasing the float. Always requires a new sender.

IIRC, The Thing Shop sells the correct sender.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Pbotsonis
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: Parker, Colorado
Pbotsonis is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My sender is bad. I can't find the correct one on TTS website so I just emailed them.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Pbotsonis
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: Parker, Colorado
Pbotsonis is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Thing Shop does not sell it anymore. Does anyone recommend a particular sending unit?

Thanks
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Wildthings
Samba Member


Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50260

Wildthings is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pbotsonis wrote:
The Thing Shop does not sell it anymore. Does anyone recommend a particular sending unit?

Thanks


Watch the classified and maybe even post a parts wanted ad. Someone stripping a Thing may have either a good OEM unit or at least one you can rewind.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Ron Domeck
Samba Member


Joined: August 05, 2007
Posts: 1466
Location: louisville Ky
Ron Domeck is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Use one from a 68up Beetle. The only difference I have found is the stud on top for the cover. VDO was the original brand and they still make them. If you want the cover you can use 2 sided tape on the cover to attach and if you want the right look you can use a small bolt and nut were the stud was with the nut showing. Now I'am giving up my secrets.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Pbotsonis
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: Parker, Colorado
Pbotsonis is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you!!!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.