Fuel level sending unit question - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

atombaum · #16 08-19-2007, 05:20 PM

I got the sending unit apart and cleaned it, but no joy. There was a fair amount of black gunk in there, and the carb cleaner worked nicely. However, the low fuel warning lamp seems brighter than ever, and gets brighter now when I rev the engine.

oldnavy · #17 08-19-2007, 06:27 PM

I seem to remember that the fuel sending light getting brighter was a sympton of another problem on a shared circuit. If you have a electrical diagram look and see if it shares a circuit and if it does share with say another gage or warning light the other part of the circuit is the problem.

JWJ · #18 08-20-2007, 01:52 AM

I've tried to remove a fuel level sending unit from a 300D with channel locks before with no success. There isn't a lot of room.

Is there another method or tool that can be used?

atombaum · #19 08-20-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJ

I've tried to remove a fuel level sending unit from a 300D with channel locks before with no success. There isn't a lot of room.

Is there another method or tool that can be used?

Channel lock is the tool I used. It was a tight space, but it worked well for me.

oldnavy · #20 08-20-2007, 07:28 AM

I went to a friends shop and borrowed a socket & ratchet that fit the thing. Someone had PMed me the idea & size. Due to length of time since then I don't remember who or the size the of the socket. Later on for future removel I was able to use my channel locks.

BioBens · #21 08-20-2007, 09:40 AM

On an 82 SD I recently sold that had sat for many years, the float rod had rusted and stopped the unit from working. I cleaned the rod with fine steel wool and it worked fine after that.

atombaum · #22 08-20-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioBens

On an 82 SD I recently sold that had sat for many years, the float rod had rusted and stopped the unit from working. I cleaned the rod with fine steel wool and it worked fine after that.

Yeah at $214 to replace (was $89 in 2001) I might have another attempt at fixing it.

atombaum · #23 09-05-2007, 06:54 AM

I finally replaced the sending unit with a new one and that fixed the problem.

If anyone has an interest in the old sending unit, send me a private message. It is 5 years old and it shows the fuel level just fine, but as previously mentioned, the low fuel warning light stays on very dimly. That is better than not showing the fuel level. It might only need a better cleaning job than I was able to do with the Gumout spray.