iffy fuel gauge

[NeilL]

Hi all

After doing around 100miles over the weekend in my new purchase i have noticed a problem with the fuel gauge. It seems to be stuck at around half a tank! i filled up on Saturday and it stayed the same, so either the mpg is bloody fantastic or i have a problem! Any ideas where to start/common problems?

Regards
Neil

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi Neil,
Being a 2.8 owner myself, I would say that it is unlikely that you are getting fantastic MPG!
It sounds to me as if the float on the fuel sender is stuck in one position. This is likely because the car hasn't had much use recently, has it?
The chances are that if the float is stuck, it can loosen itself with use. If not, you will probably have to drain the tank and remove the sender to clean it up. There's a thread on this forum on how to do that.


Andrew.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi,
To put your mind at rest that the actual fuel gauge in the dash is OK, you can remove the two wires from the sender in the tank and touch them together. The gauge should read full. If this is the case, the problem is most likely with the float sticking.
You could try cleaning the terminals on the sender, that might help.
If that makes no difference and you fancy refurbing the fuel tank sender, there is a useful thread here (penultimate post):
viewtopic.php?t=38899


Andrew.

[NeilL]

Hi Andrew

Correct, she has not done many miles over the last couple of years. I'll try what you suggest later in the week as i'm working away for the next couple of days.
I'm now worried about the old girl being left at home with my wife!! it's like asking your bit on the side to stay!! lol

Regards
Neil

[MS Injection]

Mine does the same Neill. It's probably common. Car is kind of in bits at the minute for suspension work and rust proofing so will try and clean it up.

[Bug]

Have you tried the obvious....... a hefty tap on the gauge???

[NeilL]

Have you tried the obvious....... a hefty tap on the gauge???

Yeah, tried that. Wife thought i'd gone mad!

[Mc Tool]

Yeah, tried that. Wife thought i'd gone mad!

Before or after you bought the car ?

[NeilL]

Yeah, tried that. Wife thought i'd gone mad!

Before or after you bought the car ?

Pretty much as I uttered the words "I'm buying a Capri".

[Andrew 2.8i]

Pretty much as I uttered the words "I'm buying a Capri".

She'll come to her senses!

Andrew.

[NeilL]

Pretty much as I uttered the words "I'm buying a Capri".

She'll come to her senses!

Andrew.

You obviously have not met my wife Andrew!!

Found a Falken dealer locally who has quoted £288.00 all in for four tyres, didn't think that was too bad.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Found a Falken dealer locally who has quoted £288.00 all in for four tyres, didn't think that was too bad.

Hi Neil,
Yes that is a good all-in quote for the tyres and fitting. I can recommend the Falkens, in my opinion they are better then the budget brands and worth the few extra pounds.

Andrew.

[NeilL]

Hi
New tyres being fitted Saturday.
Quick question, dash lights are very dim! any ideas?
Neil

[rich_jc]

Hi,

Dim dash lights is pretty standard on a capri. The best way to sort it (fiddly) is to remove the dash and clocks, open up the clocks and take out the little blue/green caps that the bulbs sit in (most if not all will probably crack upon doing this), then replace all the bulbs with new 3w fish tails ones, not 5w as they get too hot.

Some people fit an LED alternative, so that is another option.

One thing to remember, make sure you put the oil feed pipe back on, or you'll have a gooey carpet!

Rich

[NeilL]

Hi,

Dim dash lights is pretty standard on a capri. The best way to sort it (fiddly) is to remove the dash and clocks, open up the clocks and take out the little blue/green caps that the bulbs sit in (most if not all will probably crack upon doing this), then replace all the bulbs with new 3w fish tails ones, not 5w as they get too hot.

Some people fit an LED alternative, so that is another option.

One thing to remember, make sure you put the oil feed pipe back on, or you'll have a gooey carpet!

Rich

Hi Rich
Thanks for the info. Are the bulbs available in Halfords etc?
Neil

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi,
There are plenty on Ebay. The correct bulbs are T10 or wedge bulbs, available in all sorts of colours. As stated, best go for 3W bulbs or change to LED instead.
More useful info on this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=41844&hilit=dim+dials

It is possible to reach the back of the gauges just by undoing the two lower dash panels. There's no need to undo the speedo cable and oil pipe.

Andrew.

[stevemarl]

There's no need to undo the speedo and oil pipe.

Definitely no need to undo oil pipe. If you were pulling cluster out to replace a gauge for example, the speedo unclips easily enough to give more room, but this is not needed to do bulbs.

(If you decide to try LEDs, remember they`re polarised and will only work if inserted one way.)

[Terra-Kotta]

Have you tried the stuck fuel gauge trick? Works or me every time.

[rich_jc]

There's no need to undo the speedo and oil pipe.

Definitely no need to undo oil pipe. If you were pulling cluster out to replace a gauge for example, the speedo unclips easily enough to give more room, but this is not needed to do bulbs.

(If you decide to try LEDs, remember they`re polarised and will only work if inserted one way.)

If you want to remove the green caps, you will need the whole dash out, hence I mentioned the oil pipe.

Rich

[NeilL]

Have you tried the stuck fuel gauge trick? Works or me every time.

Removed connections from sender unit tonight and touched them together, fuel gauge went to full and back to empty once i pulled them apart! I think the gauge is now reading correctly as i must be down to quarter of a tank by now! i'll fill up at the weekend and see if it goes to full this time.

Neil