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fuel guage question
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pioneer1
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:05 pm    Post subject: fuel guage question Reply with quote

In my 84 ,with new gas tank and sender unit, the gauge is "wonky". After a fill up, the dash guage never shows full. The level drops off quickly to 3/4 tank after 40 miles and when it hits empty I still have 15 gallons or so.
Is there an adjustment on the sender,or a test? or could it be the voltage regulator? What relation does it have to the guage and where is it under the dash? Thanks
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Vsyevolod
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Often times, it's the wires that need replacing. That or the sender unit itself has gone tits up. Unfortunately, the best time to replace that sender unit is when you already have the tank out...

Stephen






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Home Team Van
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the voltage reg is in the center of this picture. It's on the back of the instrument cluster.

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

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pioneer1
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:02 pm    Post subject: fuel gauge Reply with quote

Thanks for the picture and location.The sender is new but how/what does the voltage regulator affect the fuel gauge reading?
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:34 pm    Post subject: Re: fuel gauge Reply with quote

pioneer1 wrote:
Thanks for the picture and location.The sender is new but how/what does the voltage regulator affect the fuel gauge reading?


My voltage stabilizer is bad, reads 12 volts not 9.5 - 10.5 and as a result the gas gauge reads somewhat high. Basically it always reads 1/4 tank higher than I actually have.
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rolfsky
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:51 pm    Post subject: Re: fuel gauge Reply with quote

dobryan wrote:
My voltage stabilizer is bad, reads 12 volts not 9.5 - 10.5 and as a result the gas gauge reads somewhat high. Basically it always reads 1/4 tank higher than I actually have.


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dobryan
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:18 am    Post subject: Re: fuel gauge Reply with quote

rolfsky wrote:
dobryan wrote:
My voltage stabilizer is bad, reads 12 volts not 9.5 - 10.5 and as a result the gas gauge reads somewhat high. Basically it always reads 1/4 tank higher than I actually have.


Tom Hanks, is that you? Very Happy


Do these things come with real A/C or do I just keep the windows open??






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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:56 am    Post subject: Re: fuel guage question Reply with quote

pioneer1 wrote:
.....
Is there an adjustment on the sender,or a test? or could it be the voltage regulator? What relation does it have to the guage and where is it under the dash? Thanks



AFAIK, the voltage regulator does exactly what it's name implies. The temp gauge and fuel gauge need a constant voltage. (~ 10 volts IIRC) If the regulator wasn't there, variations in voltage would either harm the gauges and/or the gauges would provide incorrect readings.

Neil.
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pioneer1
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:17 pm    Post subject: fuel gauge Reply with quote

Thanks VNut for the answer-I guess I'll check the voltage and go from there.
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:23 pm    Post subject: Re: fuel gauge Reply with quote

pioneer1 wrote:
Thanks VNut for the answer-I guess I'll check the voltage and go from there.


You're welcome.

I found that the middle pin on mine ('81 air cooled) is not be connected to the foil. Still worked fine to measure from there as per Bentley though. Just in case yours' is the same.
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whafalia
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If I recall correctly the middle pin equals the mounting tab equals ground.
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Dogpilot
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If your voltage regulator is bad, your temp gauge will be wonkey as well. The float in the tank may be mis-adjusted or the rod bent. You may want to pull it out and check it against the gauge outside the tank and then bend the rod to get proper readings.
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

whafalia wrote:
If I recall correctly the middle pin equals the mounting tab equals ground.


Yup. That's what I found on mine.

Neil.
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reluctantartist
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had to replace my voltage regulator when I would run out of gas at 1/4 of a tank. At least I got the impression of having awesome gas mileage for a little while. I have some extra voltage regulators in my parts drawer if anyone has a trouble finding one.
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stayfido
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 4:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any idea where to find one of these voltage regulators? Is it a specific Volkswagen part or a generic electronic component I can find more easliy?
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BC Westie
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I went through this couple of years back. With an Air Cooled without a Water temp gauge it is easy to think it it the sender unit in the tank.

I replaced my tank sender, baptized by fuel, only to find my gauge was the same.

I then went to check the voltage regulator and there was a touch of wht corosion on the arms. Cleaned them off and voila!

Turns out I did not need a sender unit in the tank.

I think everyone should start with this cheap part. As mentioned easy to diagnose if you are water cooled.

I did try to source one and my local moms and paps auto parts store could get them cheaply out of the US.
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mad.macs
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The 1A Voltage Regulator is $0.75 at mouser.com
the 2.2A VR is NLA (apparentley)
http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=KA7810A
Fairchild Semi PN KA7810A

Do we need the 2.2A or will 1A do?
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Dogpilot
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't think the system would draw more than an amp for the cluster, but then again the sensor for the coolant tank level, which is essentially a conductivity meter, may be the culprit for high draw. Thinking about it, at .75¢, live on the dangerous side and experiment. The worst that can happen is your .75¢ goes up in smoke. The regulator will die, nothing else.
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