Dodgy Norge fuel gauge

[Huzo]

If anyone has noticed their fuel gauge doesn't show full when the tank is topped up as mine did on the Norge for years,I can tell you what the issue was with mine and the remedy. I took the sender unit out of the tank and for those who haven't seen one, they are a plastic cylindrical object about 1 1/2" diameter and 9" long, I've seen something similar in appearance before but can't think what it was !!!?  Anyway, while leaving the key "on" and sender connected ,I immersed the unit in a long glass of fuel and sure enough, after a minute the gauge climbed up to 3/4 and stayed there, it did not get all the way to full. I took the unit out of the fuel and popped the top off the unit and noticed that the floater had not risen all the way to the top of the rheostat, moving it up manually sent the needle up to full scale deflection, ie  a "full" reading on the gauge. I smoothed the ends of the probes that run up and down the rheostat and SLIGHTLY shortened the spring to assist the floater to reach the top, then put the whole lot back, now reads full after topping up. The problem never was electronic as some horror stories would suggest.

[Huzo]

Sorry, just a clarification, upon reflection I think I had to stretch the spring, but anyway it's obvious when you dismantle the unit.

[canuguzzi]

Good find. I wonder if the same type of problem exists for the gauges that read full and go down to nearly 1/3 or so, stay there and suddenly got to red and empty.

Perhaps that is also some interference with the probes hanging up as they slip down and then once the fuel is so low there is no upward pressure support, they drop to zero.

My fuel gauge was replaced because it was doing that and hasn't done it since but others have had a similar problem. Then if you aren't watching the trip or forgot to reset it, jerry can on the sidelines.

[Huzo]

Hmmmm yes, I think you have a point there, it's a bit of a Fred Flinstone thing when you get in there but seems to work ok in spite of itself

[jim mac]

i have a 2102 Norge.  the fuel sensor is a different style, has a little arm sweeping over a 'railroad track' of sensors.  my gauge would stop at about 1/3 full.

when i took the sensor out i spotted that it was not correctly assembled and jamming at 1/3.  simple refit and all's well,  actually an accurate readout.

[Huzo]

Bonus !   

[esmurrell]

Mine just started reading wrong.  When filling my tank, I get a reading of 5/8 full.  It stays there until the actual fuel level drops below that, then read correctly until empty.  I'll try pulling the sensor messing with it and replacing it.  Hopefully this will work.  Thanks for the 'heads up'!

Eric

[Huzo]

Mine just started reading wrong.  When filling my tank, I get a reading of 5/8 full.  It stays there until the actual fuel level drops below that, then read correctly until empty.  I'll try pulling the sensor messing with it and replacing it.  Hopefully this will work.  Thanks for the 'heads up'!

Eric

ok Essy, worth remembering when testing, that when an alteration occurs at the float, the readout takes up to a couple of minutes to adjust so you need to be a bit patient I've found.

[Huzo]

Also a thought, try pulling the unit out and lifting the float to see if the rest of the system is working. Then you'll know whether it's the electronics or the float mechanism. I think from memory that you an reach in with a probe to ease the float up to remove the need for dismantling.

[Scott of the Sahara]

The fuel gauge is a nice feature, but I am more interested in miles ridden.
As long as I go below 200 miles on a tank, I will not be stranded.