Hi
I have a problem with the fuel gauge. The needle flickers when I push wire in the back (see video below).
I've removed the dash cluster and the white connector and resoldered the pin connections on the cluster. I've also checked the fuel gauge and I get a resistance reading between 0 and 60 ohms depending upon full and empty tank which looks ok.
I've also cleaned the brass nut at the back. Can't figure out the problem.
Any ideas appreciated
https://www.dropbox.com/s/up7wwk8u5i0ye ... .mov?raw=1
Fuel Gauge Problem
Moderator: martauto
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DanThe
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Check the wire terminals, they can become loose
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Contours
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You could have a look at this I cleaned the gauge on mine and used loctite to keep the nut from loosening some years ago and haven't had an issue since.
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RK1
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thanks for the help - need to check if I put the washers back into place when I was cleaning the fuel gauge
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RK1
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Cleaned washers, meter posts, resoldered joints. Still having problem with the meter needle flickering when I touch wires at back of white connector. Removed and cleaned fuel sender - resistance looks ok and have also checked connection between sender and pin number 4 on the white connector - all looks ok.
Maybe I'm having issue with a short somewhere -- any ideas as I'm at a dead end right now
Maybe I'm having issue with a short somewhere -- any ideas as I'm at a dead end right now
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Brianmoooore
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If the effect happens when you touch the white plug, then it's likely that is where the problem is.
Cracked solder joints at the socket, hairline crack in a copper track at the edge of a solder joint, poor wire crimp inside the white plug, or damaged bucket in the white plug where someone has pushed a meter probe into it at sometime in the past.
Cracked solder joints at the socket, hairline crack in a copper track at the edge of a solder joint, poor wire crimp inside the white plug, or damaged bucket in the white plug where someone has pushed a meter probe into it at sometime in the past.
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RK1
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The flickering happens when I play around with the wires in the harness going into the white connector. Thought it might be white connector but when I play around with that there are no issues. Original problem started when a mechanic pulled the wires from under the dash when he is replacing the fuel pump and I noticed the flickering fuel, temperature gauge. Brake pad sensor was also randomly going on-off. Managed to sort out the temp gauge and the brake pad sensor by cleaning and resoldering joints but fuel gauge still a problem.
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Brianmoooore
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Did you point out he was about 4 feet away from it?
* Not quite the word I'd use.
If you've repaired the other two, this is almost certainly more of the same. Just a matter of tracking it down exactly.
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RK1
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Thanks for your reply
I only realised afterwards mechanic wasn't sure what he was doing .
Will have another look - other two issues were old soldering joints that were probably damaged when mechanic pulled wiring harness so you are right this fuel gauge issue probably the same
I only realised afterwards mechanic wasn't sure what he was doing .
Will have another look - other two issues were old soldering joints that were probably damaged when mechanic pulled wiring harness so you are right this fuel gauge issue probably the same
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RK1
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Managed to fix problem - thanks to Brianmooore. Issue was a fresh solder on a joint I missed first time round,
