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Clive



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
Erratic fuel gauge
Just recently the fuel gauge in my Td5 90 has developed a mind of it's own.

It used to read normally but now it often starts off reading empty even with a full tank, the reading sometimes slowly increases to full over a period of 20 - 30 minutes or sometimes stays empty, when it's showing empty the low fuel light is on also. No other instruments seem to be affected.

My suspicions are leaning toward the sender or wiring from it because of the low fuel light.

I'm just wondering if it's something common and anyone else has come across this fault, I can't seem to find anything with a search - and it's cold & dark outside just now.
Post #476756 27th Nov 2015 5:43pm
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dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554


Click image to enlarge



cct for your fuel gauge start by checking plug and sockets sound like bad connection or wire short out ,wiring making and breaking



Click image to enlarge


Last edited by dorsetsmith on 6th Feb 2020 9:33am. Edited 3 times in total
Post #476768 27th Nov 2015 6:18pm
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Clive



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
OK cheers, I'll check it out in the morning if the weather holds out, just need to find where the relevant connectors are, hoping I don't need to drop the tank Rolling Eyes
Post #476840 27th Nov 2015 9:01pm
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Clive



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
I think I've found the answer to my original question.

I suspect that there is a poor connection on the potentiometer track of the fuel gauge sender, I've realised now that the fault only occurs then I've filled the tank to the brim, shortly after driving off the gauge goes to empty and the low fuel light comes on, after 50 miles or s it starts to indicate more fuel and by 80 miles or so it's back to normal.

I always make a point now of re-setting the trip-counter every time I fill up as a guide to fuel usage so I'm not going to bother trying to fix it for now.
Post #506089 19th Feb 2016 10:56am
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Kent_keith



Member Since: 01 Jun 2014
Location: Kent
Posts: 388

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Zambezi Silver
This is exactly what my fuel gauge does? Just to let you know you're not the only one Thumbs Up 2005 TD5 90 CSW XS
Post #506585 21st Feb 2016 7:15am
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Giby_off



Member Since: 05 Apr 2015
Location: Sofia
Posts: 63

Bulgaria 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SVX Station Wagon Havana
How did you fix it? I have the same problem.
Post #690868 4th Mar 2018 3:47pm
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Clive



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
I've not fixed mine yet, I think I'll have to drop the tank and replace the sender - eventually.
It works normally from about 3/4 tank down so it's not a big problem, TBH it's quite low on my priorities list just now.
Post #690878 4th Mar 2018 4:28pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Quote:
I always make a point now of re-setting the trip-counter every time I fill up as a guide to fuel usage so I'm not going to bother trying to fix it for now


That a really good tip. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #690895 4th Mar 2018 5:32pm
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dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

having just replaced fuel pump on the 03 90 HT pump nose with low presser 2.1 bar not good and low engine power new pump in sorted Smile long over due

fuel pump bottom filter blocked clean out will test later then new part arrive finger crossed

tank sender resistor

E = 326 ohms

1/4 = 245 ohms

1/2 = 121 ohms

3/4 = 63 ohms

F = 8 ohms
Post #690934 4th Mar 2018 7:26pm
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diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6026

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Old thread revival!

did anyone get to the bottom of this? Mine is now doing the same thing.
Post #813848 5th Feb 2020 10:53pm
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Clive



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
Mine is still doing the same, after 4 years it's not got any worse, it only reads empty shortly after completely filling the tank and then goes back to normal after I've used a gallon or so, (apart from after about 300 miles when it is actually empty.)

I'm 100% convinced it's a high resistance spot on the sender potentiometer, It's completely predictable so for me, it's not worth the hassle of replacing it.
Post #813876 6th Feb 2020 9:22am
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