Fuel gauge never hits empty

Hi
Just installed a new tank and sender as the old one leaked.
Ran out of diesel today but the gauge never went below the red. Re filled it and it now goes up to full ok.


Before it did go into the but the warning light did not come on. I generally refill it at half full but as I was changing the tank the other day I kept it low.

Any help would be ace please.

It's a 110 defender, 200tdi 1991.

I'm watching this, I have the same problem but mine stops 1/2 full. I have to guess using the odometer

I wouldn't complain mysen!

Half is the new empty for me now I feel.

At Least until I get around to learning how to wire it all.

mine gets to the quarter tank and stops, never any lower

if it's leccy, then check the earth is er nicely earthed and the other wires are connected properly.

also look in the tank for any obstructions to the sender when it lowers.

you can also take the sender out and bend it until the float reads correctly.

trax said:

you can also take the sender out and bend it until the float reads correctly.

Click to expand...

swotIdid ...

Check the float, on some tanks it can get caught on things, I found on my tank that if the sender didn't sit within about a 2 degree position, it would get stuck on things and never drop below half.

As said above it may also be electrical issue too.

If you could be bothered I'd pull the sender out, with ignition on let it fall right to the bottom and see what the gauge says - easier on a 90 side tank!

I suck air at about 1/4 tank.

I look for fuel when she hits 1/2.

natas said:

I suck air at about 1/4 tank.

I look for fuel when she hits 1/2.

Click to expand...

You could pull the sender out next time you are low on fuel, take some fuel out till it is going to suck air and then pour in a gallon of diesel.

Now with the sender sitting level (as it would be in the tank) the assumption is that when your tank is low the sender thinks it's still about half way so the float is bent down into the diesel too far keeping the arm higher than it ought to be, so bend it up a bit so that as the float drops it will bring the sensor arm down low enough to read low, put the sender back in place, just hold it and make sure it reads low with the fuel light on - if you want more warning set it so it reads empty 2 gallons before it sucks air.

I need to calibrate mine too as it gets low on the gauge when clearly I still have 20 litres to go.

Some really good advice guys! Many thanks.

Just wondering, when i refilled it with 6l to begin with it started 1st time. No bleeding required.

Did I run out or did I get some crap in my system when I changed tanks! The old one was very rusty.