Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-09-2008, 12:56 PM
chilcutt's Avatar
Anywhere I Roam
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Singapore
Posts: 13,161
Eratic fuel gauge

The gauge on my 79 SD flips from 1/2 full to empty, as well as no reading at all at times, this all seems to occur if the tank is under 1/2 full, any ideas?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-09-2008, 01:03 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The Bay Area via Phoenix, Chicago and Minnesota.
Posts: 377
Pull the probe from the tank and clean the contacts and resistance wires--VERY CAREFULLY!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-09-2008, 01:38 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 622
That could work but probably won't. Best bet would just be a new fuel level sender.
__________________
1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Automatic, A/C, Power Sunroof, Power Right Side Mirror
231K Miles FOR SALE MAKE OFFER
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-09-2008, 01:46 PM
blackestate's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Washington State
Posts: 948
I had one that bounced, changed it with a used one, Not it just reads at 1/2, moves a little, but ran out of fuel the other day.
Do not know how much a new ones is, or if I now have a wiring issue?
__________________
83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-09-2008, 02:14 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 127
Mine does fine until i get down to 1/2 a tank, then it starts bouncing and goes way below the empty mark.
__________________
1983 240 D-SOLD
1979 300SD
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-09-2008, 02:21 PM
bgkast's Avatar
Rollin' on 16s
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 6,528
Check your ground wires to the cluster.
__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-09-2008, 02:23 PM
BoomInTheTrunk's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Rancho Cucamunga, California
Posts: 713
mine does the exact same thing but still have not got around to fixing it. It could be a ground issue with the instrument panel however not very likely. And that sending unit could be dirty which is most likely the reason.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-09-2008, 02:27 PM
bgkast's Avatar
Rollin' on 16s
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 6,528
If the sending unit was dirty wouldn’t the gauge just be “stuck”?

I guess you could have a loose wire in the sending unit…
__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-10-2008, 12:10 AM
chilcutt's Avatar
Anywhere I Roam
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Singapore
Posts: 13,161
Sounds Good

Where Is The Fuel Level Sending Unit Located, As Well As The Ground On The Cluster?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-10-2008, 12:20 AM
bgkast's Avatar
Rollin' on 16s
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 6,528
In the W123 the fuel level sender is under the first aid kit, and the ground *should be* a brown wire in the cluster.
__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-10-2008, 10:41 AM
chilcutt's Avatar
Anywhere I Roam
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Singapore
Posts: 13,161
fuel gage

right on ,thank you, will post how repair goes.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-10-2008, 11:04 AM
thtguy's Avatar
What?
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 73
smack the side of the guage cluster

I found a sure fire way to find out if it is the ground, I was having problems with both fuel and temp being all over the place, If i hit the dash they would go back to normal. pulled cluster cleaned contacts I was good to go.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-10-2008, 01:34 PM
Registered Hack
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,642
Does this work at all like the oil level light where there is an electronic buffer that desensitizes the system to sudden changes?

__________________

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:55 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page