Member Since: 20 Sep 2010
Location: pembrokeshire, wales
Posts: 95
Fuel tank sender acess
Hi all,
I’m getting an intermittent problem where the low fuel warning light comes on / fuel gauge shows empty. I suspect it’s dodgy connections somewhere.
Can I access the pump / sender from inside or is it a tank out job
14th Jul 2020 12:14 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5040
There's no access panel so it's tank out I'm afraid.
Do a diagnostic check first just in case there's anything logged which might not necessitate dropping the tank.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
14th Jul 2020 1:48 am
Pedros
Member Since: 25 Jun 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 454
Got the same problem, intermittently. I also believe the tank has to be dropped to get to the offending connectors. Apart from dropping the tank, it's an easy fix. But it takes a while to do the tank dropping thing. Again, I believe, it'll probably be around £150, most of that being labour. But keep an eye on it, if it becomes a "hard" problem (not intermittent) the car supposedly thinks it'll be not good to run out of fuel eventually and stops working. Shall have to get around to it sometime soon.
15th Jul 2020 1:08 pm
v8bobber
Member Since: 20 Sep 2010
Location: pembrokeshire, wales
Posts: 95
Mines behaved itself since but only done a few miles. It is usually just the connectors or is it a case of needing to renew the sender assembly too
16th Jul 2020 12:19 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5040
Diagnostics should answer that question which is why I suggested this first. If it comes back "open circuit - short to ground" it's likely wiring / connector. If it refers to specific tank component anomaly its more likely the sender. You can easily test it once the tank is opened, just pull the fuel pump fuse.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
16th Jul 2020 12:39 am
v8bobber
Member Since: 20 Sep 2010
Location: pembrokeshire, wales
Posts: 95
I put the nanocom on it this evening when I finally had 5 minutes to myself.
Nothing that relates to the sender at all
17th Jul 2020 1:23 am
v8bobber
Member Since: 20 Sep 2010
Location: pembrokeshire, wales
Posts: 95
I put the nanocom on it this evening when I finally had 5 minutes to myself.
Nothing that relates to the sender at all
17th Jul 2020 1:23 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5040
Did you get any codes? If so what are they??yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
17th Jul 2020 1:24 am
v8bobber
Member Since: 20 Sep 2010
Location: pembrokeshire, wales
Posts: 95
The only one I had which I hadn’t seen before was code B1D17:bus circuit / battery backed sounder (historic) component failure.
Apart from that it was minor stuff such as light sensor / wipe sensor intermittent faults
17th Jul 2020 1:38 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5040
In the absence of anything specific it looks as if you'll have to bite the bullet. Get as much fuel out of the tank as possible which will make it easier to handle. Most of the pipework can stay with it but obviously not the filler.
The feed, return, and webasto lines can be disconnected near the fuel filter. If you don't have a lift you can loosen the cradle bolts and slide small ratchet straps between the tank and the cradle supporting it between the chassis rails. Then completely unbolt and move the cradle out of the way, and gently lower the tank. Once open you can move the sender by hand to see if the dash responds correctly. BUT, remove the lpfp fuse/relay to prevent unwanted fuel spillage!
If you're up for it I would advise cleaning the gauze pick up on the bottom of the pump as well, as this becomes clogged over time. Brake cleaner (lots of) will get it clean again.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
17th Jul 2020 2:40 am
v8bobber
Member Since: 20 Sep 2010
Location: pembrokeshire, wales
Posts: 95
Are you recommending changing the sender or just sorting the connections. I haven’t had the problem again (since Monday) but no doubt it will return
17th Jul 2020 12:51 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5040
If you have gone to the trouble of dropping and opening the tank. It would perhaps be sensible to change it unless you find a wiring issue.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
17th Jul 2020 1:14 pm
Pedros
Member Since: 25 Jun 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 454
Do keep us informed how you get on, whether you do it yourself or not as no doubt I'll be going down the same route.
Its a known problem with the connection's in the tank, just cut the small black connector out and solder the wires. LR do a kit but its a waste of time and money.
Flack
19th Jul 2020 8:08 am
sasdiscos
Member Since: 22 Feb 2013
Location: Northants
Posts: 889
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