Fuel gauge problem

[Dippy]

Something strange happened last night.

I went to visit a friend who lives a fair distance away, so I had paid attention to my fuel level. When I arrived there was about a quarter tank left and the DIS was estimating about 80 miles left.

When I left his house, the car beeped at me, showing nearly empty on the gauge and 15 miles on the DIS! There was only 212 miles on the odometer (since I last filled up).

Although I had not smelled any petrol, I couldn't take a chance of running out of fuel on the way home so I filled up at a Shell station nearby. I squeezed 47 litres into the tank, so that proved there was no leak.

Starting up the car, the fuel guage only reached about 3/4, so I concluded that it was buggered. However within about 10 minutes of the journey home, the guage had slowly crept up to the full position. This morning it showed just below full, correctly accounting for the distance I drove home.

The only peculiarities about last night were that the car was parked on a fairly steep slope (facing uphill) and it got very cold.

Anyone else had a similar experience? Is this just a temporary thing that can happen or should I expect to have to repair something?

[SimonS4MTM]

That will be your fuel gauge sender.

look here http://www.rs246.com/modules.php?op=mod ... ght=sender

[simple1]

Common problem, mine used to do the same on my old car.... there are two sender units fitted in these tanks, one of them is faulty....

[BRETTCOLLINS]

after I had my RS4 fuel pump fitted to my S4, Now the gauge only goung to 3/4 full, but takes 80+ miles to move. AMD are going to look at it when the car is back in.

Told me that they have seen this before.

[Dippy]

Thanks. Seems to be working now, so I'll wait and see if it happens again before taking action.

[craigyb]

Thanks. Seems to be working now, so I'll wait and see if it happens again before taking action.

This has happened to me 3 times in 2 months on my 2002 S8. Took it to the dealers after the 2nd time and they ignored me. Told me to bring it back if it happens again.

Well now it has but the dealers (Lancaster Audi Manchester) are complete w4nk3rs and I'm reluctant to take it back to them in case they inflict more damage to my car.

Craig

[odysseyireland]

Mine seems to drop very rapidly from Full to about 3/4 (like in about 30 miles) then more steadily from there downwards.