Fuel Gauge Adjustment

davidw99 · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 8:14 am Post subject: Fuel Gauge Adjustment

I want to adjust my fuel gauge. The needle reads about 2 gallons low across the range. New sender (needed to be replaced, old one was erratic) and vibrator. Everything is consistent, just low. I know that there are two adjustment gears accessed from the back of the gauge. However, you likely have to take the gauge out to adjust them. The bottom one adjusts the zero and the top one adjusts the range. My question: which one should I adjust and how can I tell if I'm close with the gauge out of the car? (I know, reinstall it but I would like to get it close at least.) For example, is there a specific place for the needle to rest when zeroed? My tank is full now so I would be trying to get the needle to read full.
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Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.

1970VWGUY · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 8:47 am Post subject:

Does the float have an adjustment?

Some have suggested it's better to adjust the gauge when the tank empty...Then you will know it's correct...& "E" really means "E"

don't_bug_me · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:01 am Post subject:

I don'y like it when E really means E, I prefer a little cushion, I still get nervous regardless when it gets close to E.
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davidw99 · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:33 am Post subject:

The float doesn't realy have an adjustment although some here have suggested bending the wire bars. I would prefer not to do that because 1) it's new (VDO German) and I presume properly made and 2) with a Super I have to pull the tank half way out.
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Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.

1970VWGUY · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:48 am Post subject:

cletus_zuber · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 8:23 pm Post subject:

http://www.midsouthvw.com/TechTips/tech_tip_FuelGauge.htm

tips for adjusting your fuel gauge.

I admit I have never done this, mine reads 3/4 when full and will hold 8 gallons in the middle of "R", good enough...
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HPMX 40's & 019

mr_bill · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:14 pm Post subject:

I have "bent" the arm on my N.O.S. VW tank unit several time to finally get it ti read properly......NO adverse effects from "bending" which is net really "bent" at all....minor "tweek" of an adjustment....I would not hesitate to do this again, if need arises.... Wink

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Dos Perros Motorsports
Orange, CA
1972 Class 11x/Stock Bug
'60's era "vintage" Tunnell-Buggy

"...no one here....get's out ALIVE...."

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Hyperspace · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:04 pm Post subject:

Its like a 5 minute job... a little more if you need to do a few adjustments.

Simply bend the arm until it just touches the tank floor when empty.
It should in theory then go p to the demarcation mark for the 1 gal reserve.... you can test this by then putting in 1 gal.
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it is an electrical fault.

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Joel · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:49 pm Post subject:

Hyperspace · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:04 am Post subject:

Hmmm, I remember there being some toothed gear in the fuel guage I disected... unfortunately the wire that holds everything in place and carries the power from the connectors was burned through, so how this gear is engaged was not imidiatly apparent from a quick look.

When I'm done working on the alternator I will take it appart again with some pics to help figure this out...

The 5 minute thing is ofr a standard bug Smile

Allthough it is a schlep to have to screw back the sender between each adjustment, to both ground it, and have it lieing flat in its normally installed position.

I still prefer this to popping the guage out... my hands aren't THAT big, but it was a PITA when I did it... had to do it twice in one morning.

I did my calibration after a tank restoration... I pulled it expecting crud, but there was only about a teaspoon full of waxy grime around the base of the outlet (which is slightly prone from the bottom of the tank to prevent things that fell into the bottom to get into the pipe. My tank has no built in filter on the outlet, I have one next to the transmission. Otherwise the tank was clean and fresh inside, despite haveing the usual rust on the bottom outside... Anyway, its all fresh and nicely painted, and I didn't even have to touch the inside of the tank.

When it comes to filling a tank, I am a sinner, My wife says we drive on pay as you go....
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it is an electrical fault.

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Joel · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 3:18 am Post subject:

68IHscout · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:26 pm Post subject:

I fill up at half full , never worry about running out, I did once (needle was just in to red)since then I just let it drop half a tank and fill up ...

Hyperspace · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject:

I'm analy retentive and self destructive at the same time, I could never live like that, not knowing exactly how much fuel is left.
_________________
If you can't fix it with a hammer, it is an electrical fault.

Photo's http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Hyperspace&show_results=summary

RailBoy · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:21 pm Post subject:

Ok, in a bind, working the angles now, we know "wiper" arm adjustment angle, now what is up with gauge adjust, how do you access it, how t do it, all that jazz... Also, on the Supers, baffle infrindgement, possible issue here..... Gotcha Ya'll.... RB
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]
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borninabus · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 4:57 pm Post subject:

The gear nearest F adjusts the full reading and the gear nearest R adjusts the empty reading.
They are very sensitive.

I have R&R'd the sender on supers w/o completely removing the tank.
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport

Rene60 · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 10:24 am Post subject:

On my 71 SB I don't have to remove the tank to get to the sending unit.
But then again I can remove the fresh air box to get to the sending unit.
I still need to get my fuel gauge work correctly, it only reads up to 3/4 when full.

68IHscout · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 10:48 am Post subject:

once out and disconnected, can you test the gauge?if so how?

borninabus · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 11:01 am Post subject:

Hyperspace · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 11:33 am Post subject:

davidw99 · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:22 pm Post subject:

OK. I got it adjusted. I took it out of the speedo and adjusted the zero adjust a bit, enough to bring the needle about 1/16 of an inch closer to the right when it was disconnected. I then hooked it up and the needle was closer to 1/1 (the tank is full). Tried the zero again but it did not move the needle any more when the gauge was connected or not. I then tried to adjust with the range adjust but couldn't move the prawns. So, I move the needle with a small screw driver to the 1/1 mark and it stayed. After reinstall the needle still goes to just touch the 1/1 mark. I must of bent the needle or mechanism a bit. I'm not worried about running out of gas because before adjustment the tank would have 3 - 3.5 gallons in it when the needle was just a little past the red "R" section of the gauge. Tank should of had about 1.5 - 2 gallons with that reading. Also, I usually fill up after about 200 miles, which is usually 7.5 to 8 gallons, maybe a little less if I've been doing a lot of highway driving. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it continues to be a little more accurate than it was.
_________________
Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.


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