VN Fuel Gauge...And temperature....

[BrokWoods]

Hey guys, this may seem like a dumb question to you all, and I haven't yet run this past my Brother (who knows about Commodores) or my father, but :

1) My fuel gauage is a tad dodge. It works and all , but if you go up a hill, the gauge reads you more then what it does on the flat, and going down a hill, reads less. Is this a common problem in older cars?
Any possible suggestions as to what the problem could be

And Number 2 , isn't a problem as much, but My temperature gauge , even on a hot day , won't read past the 2nd bar on the temp gauge (so not in the "normal" zone) but most times stays below the first bar......Also is that normal?

I know these may sound like dumb questions, but bear in mind, it is my first car and Commodore

Thanks heaps for any advice you guys may have

[Jxw]

Normal and Normal, The sender in the tank is closer to the front, going up or down hill will change where the fuel is sitting in the tank, i'd think it was the other way around to what you've described as going up a hill would move the fuel to the back of the tank and away from the sender/float and downhill should make the fuel run to the sender raising the float.

most commodores sit on the 2nd bar of the temp gauge (well all the ones i have driven anyway) unless there's something wrong or it's a really hot day and your thrashing the crap outta it it normally doesn't go any higher.

[BrokWoods]

yeah I could of had it mixed up , Sorry champ

And thanks mate, yeah went up a pass today and she went to the middle

Thanks again champ Cheers for taking the time to describe it, much appreciated

[hsv355]

Yeah mate wouldnt stress as jxw said its only the float rising and falling with the fuel and as for the heat 2nd bar is ok occasionally you will get a car that runs cold or someone might of just taken the thermostat out!

[88GreenVN]

you may also have a cracked solder joint or 2 in the voltage regulator in the cluster. If the gauges flat line from time to time or you have the tap the dash pad to get it working... it could be the voltage regulator

[BrokWoods]

Yeah mate wouldnt stress as jxw said its only the float rising and falling with the fuel and as for the heat 2nd bar is ok occasionally you will get a car that runs cold or someone might of just taken the thermostat out!

Thanks Bud ! Yeah she got warm today as I said, going up the mountain, but yeah, As for the fuel, just trips me out sometimes

And 88GreenVN, they don't completely flatline, but the fuel takes a while to finally reach it's level and tell you how much you have, but if you tap it , it goes straight up, otherwise it takes about a minute or two

[88GreenVN]

Thanks Bud ! Yeah she got warm today as I said, going up the mountain, but yeah, As for the fuel, just trips me out sometimes

And 88GreenVN, they don't completely flatline, but the fuel takes a while to finally reach it's level and tell you how much you have, but if you tap it , it goes straight up, otherwise it takes about a minute or two

That tells me that it's probably cracked - but still making some contact.

[BrokWoods]

No worries, thanks for that bud !

[88GreenVN]

I have a VP Calais International book in for next Sunday to fix the very same issue.

[BrokWoods]

Got an older brother who has had Commos all his life and as my description said , a dad with Monaros and mum with a Camaro (Shes not hands on though) So, getting it fixed should be not an issue....... (labour wise)

Is it a hard job champ , do ya know?

Thanks again for your advice and info bud, means alot

[88GreenVN]

Cluster out, lens off and speedo out. Then you will be looking right at the voltage regulator. Pop that out and solder the joints again.

about a 30 min job all up.

[hi_ryder]

Cluster out, lens off and speedo out. Then you will be looking right at the voltage regulator. Pop that out and solder the joints again.

about a 30 min job all up.

30 mins if youve done it before.... carefully pry the voltage reg out though otherwise youll break the little clip and have to get out the super glue.... after 20 years everythings brittle....