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1974 beetle fuel gauge
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Gavin1995
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 5:38 pm    Post subject: 1974 beetle fuel gauge Reply with quote

Hello I have a 1974 standard beetle and I have all new fuel gauge, sending unit, and vibrator and it only reads 1/2 tank when it is full. Any ideas what is the problem? Thanks.
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 5:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of the parts is defective.

The Bentley show manual describes how to trouble shoot each part.
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Ryanqzqz
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have the same issue, although if I physically move the sender top, the issue changes. Slight turn one direction (i forget CW or CCW) and the sender only picks up 1/2 tank to full, turn it the other direction and it only reads empty to 1/2. I keep meaning to check for obstructions in the tank and compare the sender to a pic of a German sender (mine is mexican) but I'm lazy Smile

I remember seeing something about the mexi senders sucking... Sad
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Joel
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try running a ground wire from one of the sender screws to a good ground somewhere on the body.

Standard Beetles rely on the sender being grounded to tank and the tank being grounded to the body, all well and good when the car was new but 4 decades worth of rust, grime, paint etc makes for shitty grounding.
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Gavin1995
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay thanks I will try grounding it
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Gitchigumi
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:57 am    Post subject: Fuel Gauge Sender Problems - Possible fix. Reply with quote

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I had similar problems with two senders from a 75 and a 76. Eratic readings, half full tank etc. Power comes into the sender from the dash and eventually grounds to the tank via the two little piviot points on the float gauge - after passing through the resistance wire. If this grounding point is poor you will get the readings you do. I took mine apart - 4 small tabs to bend back slightly and cleaned up all contact points with steel wool. Don't lose the little spring under the long ended pivot point. Both gauges work like factory original now. I've include some pictures of what you will incounter. Give it a try, it may solve your problem.
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oldtown1
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:39 pm    Post subject: Same problem with fuel gauge with 74 STD bug Reply with quote

Same problem with my 74 STD bug. Replaced vibrator, the sending unit is new, relplaced by PO. Ran a seperate ground wire to the sender. The gauge has a seperate + 12 volt connection, just in case there is loss in the wire from the harness. It shows a little over 1/2 when the tank is full. When I take out the sending unit, and move the float to the full position, the fuel gauge shows full. When I move it to the empty position, the gauge shows empty. Maybe the sending unit rod is not at the correct angle? The sending unit shows 82 ohms when in the empty position, and 7 ohms when fuel. This is very close to recommended reading. Seems to be working, but reads incorrectly.
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subwayaz
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's amazing to me that so many aftermarket parts have come out to improve our enjoyment of our beloved cars, however there is only one Electric Fuel gauge out for the Beetle. And that is basically for Early years. Fits in the grates of the Dash Grill.
Or have I possibly missed something?

Would be so nice to get rid of the mechanical level that is always off.
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Tim Donahoe
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Actually, if you buy a genuine VDO sending unit--instead of the cheapies--you're much more likely to have an accurate reading.

Tim
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oldtown1
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What does VDO stand for? Where would I get a VDO sending unit?
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BUGGED11111
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

oldtown1 wrote:
What does VDO stand for? Where would I get a VDO sending unit?


VDO is the brand. It's the OEM supplier. They've gotten pretty spendy over the past couple years but definitely superior to the repros

Most suppliers sell both the VDO or junk ones

http://www.bughaus.com/beetle14.htm



.
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Tim Donahoe
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Google in VDO gauges. You will find a lot of suppliers. I'm replacing mine soon and will spend the extra few bucks on the original supplier of gauges for Volkswagen.

Tim
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glutamodo Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a new VDO sending unit a year or two ago and found "Made in India" on the box, and the float on them bears the name of an entirely different automotive gauge manufacturer (VeeThree), making me wonder how much of it was actually made by VDO.

Those India made ones are certainly cheaper than the remaining older-stock German made VDO units.
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