Fuel gauge swap
- Thread starter dan_b
- Start date
dan_b
A2OC Donor
hotstuff
A2OC Donor
some further considerations when it comes to the fuel gauge.
if the vehicle has a 34 litre tank its not possible to use a cluster that reads the resistance value the wrong way around. imagine a rotary volume control on a hi-fi. turn clockwise to increase and anti-clockwise to decrease. changing the direction of rotation will result in non operation. the same applies to the sender/cluster combination.
on the 42 litre tank this does not apply as they all read the resistance value the same way, but you must use a cluster from a 42 litre car.
hope its getting clearer.
blue skies
tony
if the vehicle has a 34 litre tank its not possible to use a cluster that reads the resistance value the wrong way around. imagine a rotary volume control on a hi-fi. turn clockwise to increase and anti-clockwise to decrease. changing the direction of rotation will result in non operation. the same applies to the sender/cluster combination.
on the 42 litre tank this does not apply as they all read the resistance value the same way, but you must use a cluster from a 42 litre car.
hope its getting clearer.
blue skies
tony
MikeMarsUK
A2OC Donor
If someone has the later 34 litre tank & sender, then upgrading to a 42 litre tank might be possible from an electrical viewpoint? (I don't know whether it would be possible from a physical viewpoint).
hotstuff
A2OC Donor
Dan, I would suggest you contact Audi with your VIN number - they will be able to give you the correct cluster part number for your car and then you try to source a DIS cluster with that info.
As far as upgrading the tank/sender/cluster, bear in mind that although the later 34 litre and the 42 litre gauges read the same way, and indeed have the same empty tank and full tank resistance values, the actual sender is designed and graduated differently between these two marks so that what is actually a half full tank will read either less or more. Basically, the accuracy of the gauge between the full and empty marks will be inaccurate.
blue skies
tony
As far as upgrading the tank/sender/cluster, bear in mind that although the later 34 litre and the 42 litre gauges read the same way, and indeed have the same empty tank and full tank resistance values, the actual sender is designed and graduated differently between these two marks so that what is actually a half full tank will read either less or more. Basically, the accuracy of the gauge between the full and empty marks will be inaccurate.
blue skies
tony
hotstuff
A2OC Donor
OK guys ...
Ive had a small chance to work on my fuel gauge issue, and although my project is still not yet complete, I did take some pics to post.
Kindly refer to post # 19 on this thread.
The sender has been removed from the fuel collector and the float extended to the maximum (full tank) position. The difference in the readings is clear to see.
blue skies
Tony
Ive had a small chance to work on my fuel gauge issue, and although my project is still not yet complete, I did take some pics to post.
Kindly refer to post # 19 on this thread.
The sender has been removed from the fuel collector and the float extended to the maximum (full tank) position. The difference in the readings is clear to see.
blue skies
Tony
hotstuff
A2OC Donor
Max, refer to post #19 of this thread. I've listed all the alternatives with respect to sender resistances and the appropriate cluster to use.
If you do change the sender, make sure it will match the cluster you intend to fit so as not to have incorrect readings.
Although considering "living" with an inaccurate fuel gauge seems a small price to pay for DIS, I can assure you it will get to you sooner or later. I had to "confuse" my cluster for a while until I resolved the issue and was very aware of the distance travelled in order to fill-up to prevent running out of fuel.
blue skies
tony
If you do change the sender, make sure it will match the cluster you intend to fit so as not to have incorrect readings.
Although considering "living" with an inaccurate fuel gauge seems a small price to pay for DIS, I can assure you it will get to you sooner or later. I had to "confuse" my cluster for a while until I resolved the issue and was very aware of the distance travelled in order to fill-up to prevent running out of fuel.
blue skies
tony
Hi Tony,
Yes that post was very useful but I am still unsure if I can replace my existing sender (34l fuel tank) with a sender from a 42l tank without causing major problems for the fuel management system? I am hoping that I can, provided that the 42l sender is matched to a cluster that is deigned for a 42l tank, as you have stated above.
If I do this, I assume that the fuel gauge will never read full since the float in my 34l fuel tank will never reach the top of the sender 'full' calibration. Equally the reserve zone will probably need to be calibrated as well.
My car is a 1.4 petrol and the said cluster and sender is from a 1.6 FSI with a 42l tank. I got a good deal on the cluster and fuel pump + sender, that said I would rather not buy these bits if they do not work in my car. I am hoping to do this, along with a long list of others mods, when I come in to see you about the roof. I suspect this will be a lengthy visit.
On a side note, I said to myself that I would put a stop to my obsession with retrofitting with the purchase of the A2. Despite being a last minute purchase as cheap run around for my wife, I have once again caught the bug. At least on here I am amongst others who have been struck down by the same bug!
Max
Yes that post was very useful but I am still unsure if I can replace my existing sender (34l fuel tank) with a sender from a 42l tank without causing major problems for the fuel management system? I am hoping that I can, provided that the 42l sender is matched to a cluster that is deigned for a 42l tank, as you have stated above.
If I do this, I assume that the fuel gauge will never read full since the float in my 34l fuel tank will never reach the top of the sender 'full' calibration. Equally the reserve zone will probably need to be calibrated as well.
My car is a 1.4 petrol and the said cluster and sender is from a 1.6 FSI with a 42l tank. I got a good deal on the cluster and fuel pump + sender, that said I would rather not buy these bits if they do not work in my car. I am hoping to do this, along with a long list of others mods, when I come in to see you about the roof. I suspect this will be a lengthy visit.
On a side note, I said to myself that I would put a stop to my obsession with retrofitting with the purchase of the A2. Despite being a last minute purchase as cheap run around for my wife, I have once again caught the bug. At least on here I am amongst others who have been struck down by the same bug!
Max
dan_b
A2OC Donor
I've several times posted on this forum threads along the lines of "No More Mods" - which has reliably been followed by a period of introspection, boredom, agitation and then massive mod-itis! It's a difficult addiction to get over!