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liljettalady

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
This is the second time I have filled up my tank completely full when the gas light was on in my dash and the needle was in the red, and I could only put 8 or 9 gallons in the tank. When I start up the car, it reads only 3/4 full.
I have a '99 jetta III vr6, could it just be a bad sensor?
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Re: Gas gauge is wrong (liljettalady)

Yes, or the float inside is fuel-logged.
Find a donor sendor and see if the same issue occurs.
- Erik
 
Re: Gas gauge is wrong (bluefox280)

has any work been done to your car just before you noticed this?
Something you can check:
1. clean out your trunk and remove the carpeting from the floor
2. remove the 3 screws that hold the round black cover on your fuel pump access hole.
3. shine a flashlight in there
4. there is an arrow on the top of the fuel pump, and another arrow on the tank (if it's dirty wipe it off)
5. if the arrows don't line up, your fuel pump is installed wrong, and the sender's arm isn't achieving full travel in the tank.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Re: Gas gauge is wrong (punkassjim)

um...yeah, a whole hell of a lot of work was done on my car. my car spun out in the rain on a freeway onramp (due to bad rear tire tread) and i drove off the embankment and into a tree. that was great.
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other than all the body work, the rear axle was replaced and the radiator was replaced and the frame had to be straightened a little. eek! i really am a good driver, i swear...
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after 2 months of repairs done, i got the car back in february. but i keep having to go back to the dealer for additional service due to their shortcomings:
1. repair a bent linkage rod
2. the horn was not working properly
3. windshield washer squirter hose was pinched
4. re-paint front grille for chips (no, i did not hit 20 rocks on the highway in 2 months ONLY on the front grille and NOWHERE else, you bastards)
5. some kind of "sensor" was left dangling under the car under the driver's side headlight. this one is my favorite. how could they not notice? arg, whatever.
:rant: i hate being a female and dealing with car repairsmen. they treat me like i am an idiot and they ALWAYS try to rip me off. thanks to my daddy, i know car repair better than my boyfriend.
but like i said, i got my car back almost 3 months ago and the gas gauge was working fine till last week...
 
Re: Gas gauge is wrong (liljettalady)

yeah, if they had to do some unibody straightening, it's possible they had to remove the gas tank from the car...and maybe they messed up the fuel pump alignment.
I'd call them and ask them if they removed the tank from the car, and if so, tell them they screwed up (again).
On a side note, I'm glad you're on these forums...I think it's a really good place to learn more about our cars, so we can tell when we are or aren't getting taken for a ride at the shop. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
 
this happened on my car once and I've been told here also that you should remove your key from the ignition while your filling up your tank....tends to give false readings.....since then I remove my key while filling up and my gauge has been spot on since......
 
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