faulty fuel indicator please help

[GunMetalR33]

I dont know if this is a common problem but my fuel guage only comes off full when the tank is less than half full. Only the will it indicate the true level of fuel.

Does anybody have this problem or know of a way to fix it?

[Steve]

2 ways,

1 got to a guage/instrument shop and get it calibrated,

2 after you fill up, remove the dash, gently pry the needle off and, with the cluster plugged in and ignition switched on, replace the needle.

I had a few probs with my guages after fitting EL background, just recalibrated using mk1 eyeball, ie, the latter option:)

[GunMetalR33]

shit, thats harder than i thought!

[Steve]

doing it by hand isnt very hard at all, what were you expecting?

[GunMetalR33]

SO by replacing the needle you are re-setting the start position? A friend of mine seemed to think the problem would be at the fuel tank end. He said the r33's often have there float fall of, do you think that could be it?

[hippy]

on a side note .. does anyone know how the detection works cause i swear it detects it different when i use different RON rating petrol .. like i get the empty petrol indicator light much earlier than when i use 98 and 95 ron petrol ..

[EVOIV]

Shouldn't you be using 98RON (or premium) fuel all the time Hiep? I guess it doesn't matter too much unless you're thrashing the car around. Do people always use premium, or regular as well?

I thought it only detects the level of fuel.

[Steve]

Originally posted by GunMetalR33

A friend of mine seemed to think the problem would be at the fuel tank end. He said the r33's often have there float fall of, do you think that could be it?

Yes, just reset the position.

Have you quizzed your friend on the source of his info? I have never heard of this happening, and if it is 'often' I believe I would have heard of it. Besides, does the R33 use a float or sensor?

[blind_elk]

It's probably a fault in the sender (getting old). It's jamming when you have a full tank, and the weight of the float can't unstick it until around 1/2 tank or so.

Mine actually seems to manufacture fuel - I'll be driving along on say 1/2 tank, next thing I know I've got a full tank, then 3/4 tank.