Need a new fuel gauge sending unit

[kirk knighton]

For my 1974 412. Will a unit from any other VW work if I can't find one for a 412?

[raygreenwood]

If its a late 412.....it "may" have the arm and float style like a late bus. Or does it have the cylindrical tube type?
The only fuel gauge sender part # the book shows is 411 919 049. It is almost identical to the type 3 unit.
There are a few repair how to threads in the type 3 forum.

I think you were looking for one last year....and I never got around to measuring the length of my spare sender. I will do that in the am and poat it. Ray

[kirk knighton]

Okay, I just checked. It's the arm and float style. My 1971 411 has the cylinder kind.
So maybe a new Bus one will work on my 412?
I should add that the reason I think I need a new one is the gauge only works when the tank is full. As soon as it goes down a bit the gauge just drops to zero.

Interestingly, for a while I had a 411 clock and fuel gauge in the car. Of course it fit alright; the only cosmetic difference is the chrome bezel of the 411 model. But the fuel gauge bounced erratically; apparently the 412 sending unit didn't match up quite right with the 411 gauge?
SO now I have the original clock and fuel gauge back in. The gauge was dead with half a tank of gas; when I filled it up it went to "full" and is now working fine. But the tank is still full; I expect it to drop to "empty" when I've driven a few miles more.

[raygreenwood]

Sorry.....I forgot to measure. But....so you have the arm type. I do not know the resistance difference in the two but I can dig it up.

If there is a big difference......yes......the gauges will be different. Can you post a pic of what the top mount with screws looks like? I have only cursory experience with the late arm type.
It "possible" that if the flgas tanks are the same....you could put in an earlier sender and earlier type gauge.

My parts book does not show 1974 so it may in fact be a bus type gauge. Ray

[kirk knighton]

I've read that maybe I can take my sending unit out and simply clean it?
Just a matter of gunk buildup in the tank over these many years.
I've used about two gallons since filling it up. The gauge dropped down to zero as I drove on level ground; when I parked on a slope ( driver's side downhill from the passenger side ) the gauge went back up to full! And then back to zero when I drove away again.
Not a huge problem, but still like to fix it.

I just checked online and several places sell the late-model bus sending units. They look pretty much just like mine. Should I order one?

[raygreenwood]

[kirk knighton]

Arrgghh! I just switched out my 411 clock/fuel gauge and put the 412 one back in!
Do you think I can go with the bus sending unit? Several parts places sell them.

[raygreenwood]

[reluctantartist]

Did you ever get this resolved? I have the same issue.
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1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.

[kirk knighton]

[ClassicCamper]

If you guys are still having issues with fuel senders, PM me. I have a friend in the VW business that rebuilds them better than new for $40.00
_________________
1973 412 Wagon
1976 Westy
1978 SB Vert

[reluctantartist]

What I need to figure out is if it the sender or the gauge. But that is good info to know thanks.
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1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.

[KTPhil]