Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus 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
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:27 pm    Post subject: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report Reply with quote

Just yesterday, while prepping for the road trip I am now currently on (sitting still on the interstate because of a wreck ahead or something) I noted that the fuel gauge was correctly reading just over Reserve.

This evening before taking off, I went and filled the bus while Wife was feeding Baby. Then a we took off a little later, I noted the gauge was pegged to the left. Ran back to the house to grab a can and quickly determined what mileage I was going to start looking for fuel.

Now, as we've been driving (and using fuel) the needle is slowly climbing! It got up to halfway in the red part of Reserve. That freaked me out a little (thinking maybe a dead spot in the sender and then maybe it had possibly started reading correctly with a gallon left.

So I stopped and filled up, adding just under 10 gallons. At full, needle was again pegged at the left. And as I've put about 150 miles in since then, it's again rising!

What the heck could be going on here?

(Ugh. Traffic has not moved an inch. I'm praying Baby doesn't wake up; he cried a couple times just a little bit ago.)

Since then
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing


Last edited by vwwestyman on Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:31 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
SGKent Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
SGKent is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:54 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

are you driving upside down, meaning is the world a funny color and inverted? Laughing
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Xevin Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7599

Xevin is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:59 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

Dave. I had a weird issue in the 72 when I ran out gas. Maybe Colin’s post is relevant to what you are dealing with. Just tossing it out there. Safe travels my friend.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...07284f38fa
_________________
Keep on Busin'
67rustavenger wrote:
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! Very Happy

Clatter wrote:
Damn that Xevin... Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

skills@eurocarsplus wrote:
I respect Xevin and he's a turd Razz

SGKent wrote:
My God! Xevin and I 100% agree Shocked
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:01 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

That isn't a possibility that I've considered, but I don't think so.

Still sitting still in traffic. I'd like to doze, but want to be ready whenever traffic starts moving. I can see the police blocking the interstate behind me, detouring people to a side road. But I don't think I can just drive back to the exit, and right here it's a concrete barrier rather than a grassy median.

I kinda have to pee, so I'm considering my options.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:15 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

Quick update!

I think I saw movement in the line of semis up ahead!
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Xevin Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7599

Xevin is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:33 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

vwwestyman wrote:

I kinda have to pee, so I'm considering my options.


You are self contained. You got options Laughing Wink

I’m glad you saw “Movement” Wink



Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
[/quote]
_________________
Keep on Busin'
67rustavenger wrote:
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! Very Happy

Clatter wrote:
Damn that Xevin... Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

skills@eurocarsplus wrote:
I respect Xevin and he's a turd Razz

SGKent wrote:
My God! Xevin and I 100% agree Shocked
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
aeromech
Samba Member


Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16922
Location: San Diego, California
aeromech is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:11 am    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

I can’t just un-see that
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:59 am    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

Pics from right before we took off.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Made it to some place a little east of St Louis. Detected some kind of stumble in the engine, so wanting to avoid a breakdown at 3am on an interstate, we're boondocking in some park next to an elementary school. Didn't realize there was a school here when I decided to go to this park, but here we are.

Praying for a little rest and that the stumble is something fairly quick and easy to find and fix. Just drinking the beer I accidentally opened while driving though St Louis earlier!
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:38 am    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

I feel into a fitful sleep considering the possibility of having to rent a Uhaul truck and trailer.

Woke up to the sound of a happy baby playing with mom in the back seat area.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I pulled an engine code for the coolant temp sensor but couldn't find any other evidence of a problem. I did reset some of the connectors in case of corrosion or whatever.

It had the "miss" in the way from the park to a fuel station, but after filling up, it has driven so far. (Knock on laminate-covered Baltic birch plywood.)

We encountered ANOTHER backup on the highway, but thankfully there was an exit so we've paused for lunch. Hopefully that'll give time to clear it up.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Campsite this morning. Could have fulfilled two fairly recent "Challenges" in that thread.

Silas thinks he can drive if I work the pedals.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
OB Bus
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2531
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
OB Bus is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:43 am    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

Adorable!
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
andrewtf
Samba Member


Joined: August 10, 2011
Posts: 602
Location: Illinois
andrewtf is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:51 am    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

Dave - you are close to my part of the country - so I have a more local, and completely off topic question........

You left St Louis going east - and I swear that water tower is in north central Iowa.......which aint east of St Louis at all. Am I mistaken?

I don't believe an upside down gas gauge forces you to also drive backwards?
_________________
'75 Riviera - 'BIG EMMA' (Pan American highway trip paused for a make over)
'77 Riviera - Murphy' (being reborn.... slowly)
'63 Austin Healey
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:03 am    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation Reply with quote

andrewtf wrote:
Dave - you are close to my part of the country - so I have a more local, and completely off topic question........

You left St Louis going east - and I swear that water tower is in north central Iowa.......which aint east of St Louis at all. Am I mistaken?

I don't believe an upside down gas gauge forces you to also drive backwards?


Looks like we were in Shiloh, IL.

The other part of the pic was there was a small skate park at the base of the water tower.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:15 am    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation and this is becoming Reply with quote

This is clearly becoming a road trip thread, too.

Silas is enjoying his Huddle House "breakfast bowl." Bus in background.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Fuel gauge is still reading bass-ackwards.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:28 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation and this is becoming Reply with quote

4 hours of sleep made me decide I could finally trust Katherine to drive the '78. (She has put miles on the 73 and the Thing.) But only after giving strict instructions to keep an eye on the exhaust gas temps. I think I feel a little better now that we're getting off the interstate and taking a 2- lane.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:55 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report Reply with quote

Good golly. Traffic has been insanity. ANOTHER crash that shut down travel on the interstate. I don't think anyone knows how to drive anywhere east of Missouri.

Also the bus was running great all day, but just started going to limp mode again. Ugh I started wondering if maybe the tank wasn't venting well and was drawing a vacuum, but unfortunately I didn't hear a whoosh when I loosened the cap.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
SGKent Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
SGKent is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:39 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report Reply with quote

vwwestyman wrote:
Good golly. Traffic has been insanity. ANOTHER crash that shut down travel on the interstate. I don't think anyone knows how to drive anywhere east of Missouri.

Also the bus was running great all day, but just started going to limp mode again. Ugh I started wondering if maybe the tank wasn't venting well and was drawing a vacuum, but unfortunately I didn't hear a whoosh when I loosened the cap.
It doesn't improve out here either. We see people deliberatly driving on the wrong side of the road here all the time to beat congestion - not just an occasional pass either. Speed limit can be 40 and they will drive on the other side because they want to do 90, and lights are holding up oncoming traffic - basically changing sides every other light which ever way traffic is lightest. The whole USA has lost its sanity including defunding the people who stopped that type behavior. I give us less than 4 - 5 years so enjoy the trip while you can.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KTPhil Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 33883
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
KTPhil is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:46 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report Reply with quote

Bad grounding of the gauge and sender can cause weird behavior, though I'm not sure it would on your later model. Does it have a vibrator on the back of the gauge?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 5:32 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I'll fill you in later.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vwwestyman
Samba Member


Joined: April 24, 2004
Posts: 5680
Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
vwwestyman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 5:35 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report Reply with quote

KTPhil wrote:
Bad grounding of the gauge and sender can cause weird behavior, though I'm not sure it would on your later model. Does it have a vibrator on the back of the gauge?


Yep.

I think my running problems are fuel starvation maybe.

I hope I have it fixed for now, but not super optimistic if I'm honest.

We shall see. Something like 3 more hours driving. I hope it's only 3 more hours!
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
blue72beetle
Samba Member


Joined: April 23, 2008
Posts: 846
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
blue72beetle is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 5:43 pm    Post subject: Re: WTF fuel gauge suddenly reversed operation: A live trip report Reply with quote

Is that a battery door?
_________________
-Andy-
-1970 Ghia-
-1971 Bus 1776 Microsquirt EFI-
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Page 1 of 5

 
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.