VT fuel guage

[graham7773]

Since just after I got my VT Acclaim wagon, when I fill up the fuel tank, I get the "low fuel" sign in the dash cluster with a full tank. When I have driven a few Ks it goes off. Yesterday on my trip back from Qld, when I filled it, (twice) the distance to empty window went off, just a series of - - - - with no numbers and the fuel warning light light came on as well. I am only filling to first click at the bowser, not over filling. Anybody have any idea what causes this? Or how to fix it?

By the way, Beaudesert in Qld to Sydney 885Ks on 70 litres. Is that good economy for the V6 Wagon?

[TonyJZX]

that sounds like just under 8lt per 100km which is good for a large V6

[mynameisearl]

i get a bout 900km off a tank in my VT dunno what size the tank is though..

[028]

my vx has problem with fuel gauge too.only ever drops to half way.so half way is about empty.would like to know how to fix

[graham7773]

mynmeisearl, all of the VTs, VX, and VY sedan and wagon have 75 litre tanks. I think the V8 ss has a bigger tank but you would have to confirm that with a GM dealer.
My fuel warning light and dte in the dash has not gone away. Solution would be good.

[Puma]

$100 It's your fuel sender..

Same thing would happen to my car.

I would fill up my car the gauge would go to empty and the light would come on and then the distance to empy would be ---- like you said. It would eventually return to normal once I had used about 1/4 of a tank.

Bought a new fuel sender/fuel pump from holden popped it in and works like a dream now.

[Puma]

i get a bout 900km off a tank in my VT dunno what size the tank is though..

900km? I'm lucky to get 500km out of mine and I don't flog the thing it's just a daily driver..

It pisses me off how much fuel it uses..

[graham7773]

Thanks for the replies. looking at new fuel sender unit at least. Puma, 15l per 100k sounds bad to me. around town I think I am getting about 11l per 100k. By the way, what did the new setup cost you? and when did you last replace your air filter?

[Puma]

Yeah I think there is something wrong with my fuel gauge, it needs calibration.. I can drive around on 0 to empty for quite some time however I don't like pushing it too much.

Usualy it will only take 60-65L so there is something going on there I need to get someone to look at it with a tech2.

New setup was around the $200 from memory can't remember the exact figure.

The air filter was replaced about 7,000km ago when I bought the car.

[MikeCuzzy]

In VT's empty is around 67L. Dry is 75L. There's a grey area there of about 7ish Litres where it may say empty, but there should physically be some fuel in it, how much will depend on your gauges accuracy.

[andrew_oc42]

wow! 900km out of a tank? you're dreaming!! i get that with both my tanks, fuel and lpg (factory fit)!!
how do you manage to get 900 out of a standard tank of petrol? i understand on long distance trips, although surely it cannot be around town driving?

my fuel tank is stuck on half way too when empty... my vt was hit up the ass.. so is it a likely cause that my fuel sender is faulty?
is it a hard replacement?

how does one actually calibrate the needle?

thanks, andy

[graham7773]

I may have already mentioned this earlier but when I filled up on my Qld trip, "distance to empty" went to 890Ks and actually did it. I sat down and calculated it when I got there but it still had fuel in the tank. I very happy with my VTs kilometres on highway driving. My old KF Laser did not do that well

[andrew_oc42]

yeah that is quite amazing milage!
well i'm taking my vt from melbourne to queensland the end of this month... so i'll have to let you guys know how it goes km wise!
i'll be alternating between lp and pertol though!
have you modified it in any way?

thanks

[graham7773]

My car is ex government Acclaim Wagon so got its maintenance for the first few years and now but is stock as a rock with cruise, air, trac, economy/power. I am happy with it. There a few different opinions as to whether cruise makes a difference but I think it makes my car more econimical.