fuel gauge not working (VR)

[orbisfactor]

just bought a VR Executive Wagon today, put some fuel in the tank and after about 15min of driving around the fuel gauge still says 'EMPTY', this is pretty annoying and a little concerning as i'm not able to tell how much fuel i have. is this a common problem? i read on these forums that the VN has a problem like this, and seeing as mine is a series 1 VR could the problem still be present?

 

[tsalad]

Ive got a VR with the same problem - just give the dash a whack.

Usually my fuel guage is ok - the temp guage sticks regularly. There is a thread in the VN forum on how to fix it - dont know if anyone can confirm this works on a VR?

 

[haloeight]

common problem in these models

bang the dash, or pull it all apart and resolder the dry joint on the back of the gauge

 

[orbisfactor]

went outside and gave it a whack, got 3/4 tank of fuel. probably do the resolder on the weekend

 

[tsalad]

lol - yeah Im just going to keep whacking!! Perhaps when I crack the dash I'll get the energy up for a resolder

 

[proto_vr]

yeah mines abit like that, it moves over time but a light hit brings it stright to where it should be

 

[pyro_104]

Sometimes it's not a dry solder joint, but the needle sticking to the little rest-bar at empty. I used a bit of nail varnish on mine (as per another thread's suggestion) and my whacking days were over (you know what I mean...)

 

[kopper69]

It doesnt sound like a bad solder joint. Much more likely to be a sticky gauge. Pull the instrument cluster out (do a search for a how-to if you dont know how) and spray with a tiny bit of wd-40. Move it around. Should be all that it needs.

 

[spenca]

I had the same problem with my vr ss and would tap the dash and it would start working. When i started driving today the fuel light came on, as i new i was low on fuel i filled up to the brim and still reads empty and fuel light stays on.
is the light on because the guage is on empty or is it the fuel sensor?

 

[wardie]

I had this happen and it was the float on the sender arm coming off. Got another float and arm from a wreckers and fitted it. Word of warning though, the sedan and wagon float arms are different and the wagon one gets stuck on the pipe to the pump in a sedan.