39 replies to this topic

[76lxhatch]

Start ringing other stores in the country to see if anyone has one in stock - if you find one, get dibs on it and get it in the post

[ls2lxhatch]

It looks like it would be a relatively simple job to replace the rubber washers that seal the sender pin. Otherwise you could just seal the pin from the inside using a blob of Araldite.

[76lxhatch]

^^ Yes, that shouldn't be hard to fix - may even just need to be tightened up

[Chips]

It looks like it would be a relatively simple job to replace the rubber washers that seal the sender pin. Otherwise you could just seal the pin from the inside using a blob of Araldite.

Mine's doing this. It's a recent gumtree special so i've no history on it.

I pulled sender out and it's clean, no rust etc. but leaking from the gauge pin.

so if I can fix rather than replace....

 

I've the 2 part epoxy resin, will this be safe and suitable to seal it both inside and outside?

Or araldite or something else is better?

 

Also it won't show past 1/4 on the dash. I drained tank to take out sender this morning and collected over 25 litres so should be over half!?

[Max's SS]

I am currently looking at replacing my fuel sender in my LX hatch. Had my instruments checked last week and found to be reading correctly including the fuel gauge.

The issue I have is that since I have owned the car (15 years) the fuel gauge had been "out". When the tank is full it reads 3/4 and continues to be out by a 1/4 of a tank as it reduces.

 

My question is.. have other members experienced the same problem and would a new Rare Spares sender correct it. Also has anyone who has purchased a Rare Spares sender had any reliability issues with the unit.

[koalasprint]

I am currently looking at replacing my fuel sender in my LX hatch. Had my instruments checked last week and found to be reading correctly including the fuel gauge.

The issue I have is that since I have owned the car (15 years) the fuel gauge had been "out". When the tank is full it reads 3/4 and continues to be out by a 1/4 of a tank as it reduces.

 

My question is.. have other members experienced the same problem and would a new Rare Spares sender correct it. Also has anyone who has purchased a Rare Spares sender had any reliability issues with the unit.

You can do some verification testing prior to spending on the new sender if you have a multi-meter and some resistors to double check.

 

Take off the gauge sender wire at the tank. Measure the resistance on the sender tag to earth. The reading should be in line with the amount of fuel in the tank. 73 ohms = empty, 22 ohms equals half full, 10 ohms = full. The scale is not linear. While you are here, check that the tank earth is good. If the earth is good and the readings are out then the sender is faulty. Remove it from the tank and inspect for damage, including a leaking float.

 

To check the circuit back to the gauge, put a 22 ohm resistor from earth to the wire at the tank. Turn on the ignition. The gauge should eventually get to half full. If it is less then you have a wiring or gauge fault.

 

Regards, Steve

[hanra]

[Toranamat69]

Mine did exactly as you describe. I took out the sender and bent the arm very slightly and it worked perfectly. I was lucky to get it perfect first go.

[Max's SS]

You can do some verification testing prior to spending on the new sender if you have a multi-meter and some resistors to double check.

 

Take off the gauge sender wire at the tank. Measure the resistance on the sender tag to earth. The reading should be in line with the amount of fuel in the tank. 73 ohms = empty, 22 ohms equals half full, 10 ohms = full. The scale is not linear. While you are here, check that the tank earth is good. If the earth is good and the readings are out then the sender is faulty. Remove it from the tank and inspect for damage, including a leaking float.

 

To check the circuit back to the gauge, put a 22 ohm resistor from earth to the wire at the tank. Turn on the ignition. The gauge should eventually get to half full. If it is less then you have a wiring or gauge fault.

 

Regards, Steve

 

Thanks for that. I had  all the instruments checked last week in Adelaide (Gaugeworks) and they confirmed the fuel gauge was reading correctly so i believe the problem must be towards the tank end. Did ask if the correct ohms registered at each level which they confirmed.

 

Also thanks Hanra ...very helpfull.

Edited by Max's SS, 22 May 2019 - 01:26 PM.

[koalasprint]

Hi Steve, I suspect the sender as well. Hopefully you can fix it by adjusting the float arm to get the correct ohm range. Still worth testing for a good tank earth and if no fault found check using a resistor or re-connecting the sender. It still could be a fault in the wiring and connector back to the gauge cluster. (Unlikely though)

[Max's SS]

Thanks again. Will have the tank out soon and will be able to test the ohm range of the sender and if this works give the float arm a little bend.

I believe the tank is just held in place by the 2 straps so any earthing is metal touching metal ??

Where is the best spot to attach a good earth wire ??

[Chips]

sender can be removed without taking tank out. which is easier than full tank move which is isn't difficult but a lot of extra messing around with hoses.

 

mine goes back in this weekend. 

fingers crossed the epoxy leak fix seals it and the gauge decides to work accurately.

if not - another thread with lots of good info.

http://www.gmh-toran...iagnosisrepair/

[koalasprint]

There should already be an earth wire on the tank sender. Make sure that it's sound. No rust or breaks, etc. Check for continuity to earth.

[Max's SS]

There should already be an earth wire on the tank sender. Make sure that it's sound. No rust or breaks, etc. Check for continuity to earth.

 I was aware of the earth wire to the sender....just thought there was a suggestion to add another.

[S pack]

There should already be an earth wire on the tank sender. Make sure that it's sound. No rust or breaks, etc. Check for continuity to earth.

Not that I'm aware of.

If there is an external earth wire attached to the sender unit it isn't an original fitment.

Edited by S pack, 23 May 2019 - 03:34 PM.

[hanra]

Yeah no GND wire on the sender as its grounded via the tank to body. Personally I solder on a GND wire to the sender and attach it to the bolt for the tank strap. 

[koalasprint]

Well I just learned something then. My car has a drop tank and VDO sender unit with separate earth wire.

[hanra]

Yeah standard sender is grounded via the tank. 

[Max's SS]

Yeah no GND wire on the sender as its grounded via the tank to body. Personally I solder on a GND wire to the sender and attach it to the bolt for the tank strap. 

 

Good idea Brad