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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
Iffy Fuel Gauge
I tried this on another forum and had no responses, so its either a stupid question or no one has any idea?

I'm sure this has been covered before, tried searching but can find nothing. Someone will prove me wrong i'm sure!

Driving my LR90 this morning and heard what can only be described as a relay chattering very fast down towards the gearstick (where the relays are) I was only 1/4 mile from home so kept going. About 300 yds later the noise stopped but the fuel gauge rose to virtually full, then it went to 1/4 full and then back to full, fluctuating between the two. When i got home i turned the engine off, gauge went to empty. Turned engine on and it went to nearly full (there's about 1/2 tank of fuel in the car) anyone any idea?

I think its a TD5 bulkhead with the TD5 fuses/relays. The cover bears no resemblance to the fuses/relays, does anyone know what each fuse/relay runs?
The vehicle was originally a petrol one but converted to 200tdi Disco!
Post #352278 18th Aug 2014 11:58am
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6480

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Unfortunately as you're running a "hybrid" of parts - Td5 bulkhead and loom, 2.5 Petrol sender and gauges (presumably) then it's tricky to pinpoint where your problem lies.

It depends how the bulkhead loom was wired up to the rest of the car. It sounds like it could be an ignition relay chattering (loose terminal or wire maybe) which is affecting the 12V supply to the gauge.

But you probably need to get investigating with a multimeter to track down the problem.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #352286 18th Aug 2014 12:47pm
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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
Thanks Martin, I assumed they had changed the tank out for a diesel one!
Are the senders any different between petrol and diesel? I assumed it was a float type mechanism so would work the same with whatever fluid is in the tank?
Post #352294 18th Aug 2014 1:38pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6480

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
To be honest, I don't think that's going to be the problem!

Any images of your fusebox?  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #352295 18th Aug 2014 1:39pm
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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
The speedo and dials are replacements, the speedo that was in there was faulty so I sourced a replacement, may have to look at that.
I just wondered if the 'chattering relay' meant anything to anyone?

Ive put a pic of the fusebox in my gallery, the cover bears no resemblance to the fuses, it would be nice to know what fuse fed what item and relays if possible?


Click image to enlarge
Post #352316 18th Aug 2014 3:08pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6480

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Are they Td5 or pre-Td5 instruments?

I did mention about the relay in my first reply Smile  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #352317 18th Aug 2014 3:10pm
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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
You did, sorry.
The instrument cluster is from a 200tdi, as was the original. Its worked fine for about 500 miles and only started playing up yesterday.

As you can see i'm new to LR ownership and buying a 'Bitsa' one was probably jumping in at the deep end slightly, i just thought all the elctrics will be pretty basic so I shouldn't have an issue with it..... Confused
Post #352319 18th Aug 2014 3:14pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
i had the same problem when my battery died. i think however you would notice that! but it did it for a week or so in advance with the fuel gauge going up and down (slowly) because the battery wasnt supplying enough voltage; but it was enough to keep the diesel solenoid open!
Post #352464 19th Aug 2014 8:58am
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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
Thats interesting, the battery was flat the other day.....will check battery voltage and keep an eye on it and see how it goes then Smile
Post #352479 19th Aug 2014 11:10am
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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
Looks like its the sender faulty, if its removed from the tank it works ok as the float is moved, put in the tank and it must short somehow and goes straight to full on the gauge.
Does anyone know the replacement part number? Its a diesel gauge fitted in what is probably a petrol tank if that makes a difference?
I guess the relay chatter was a red herring!
(pic added to gallery)
Post #353158 22nd Aug 2014 6:34pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7686

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
senders are the same assuming there is no submerged fuel pump in there still from the 2.5 petrol.

if it works fine out of the tank it would suggest sender is ok would it not. wiring chaffed to earth somewhere? Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #353194 22nd Aug 2014 10:30pm
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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
Does diesel conduct electric?
I assumed it would and there was a fault within the sender that was shorting through the diesel.....or there again the sender could be earthing to the tank and when removed the earth source isn't there......

More investigations needed I think....but looking at the state of the sender I think it will be worth replacing anyway!

Thanks for the suggestion JST Thumbs Up
Post #353198 22nd Aug 2014 10:35pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7686

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
it wont quote, but i expect wiring chaffed near the tank. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #353207 22nd Aug 2014 11:05pm
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Buz



Member Since: 24 Jan 2014
Location: Forest of Dean
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 1987 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Barolo Black
Just bought a new one, on the way back the old one started working again Whistle

Changed it out for piece of mind, looking at how much fuel is in the tank the new one looks more accurate as well. Suppose its not surprising when you look at the state of the old one!!!
Post #353260 23rd Aug 2014 11:26am
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