After filling my tank today, the gauge started swinging to empty, then back to full. If I set the trip computer to "miles to empty", that goes to 0 when the gauge goes to empty, then up to about 300 miles when the gauge comes back. So clearly the cluster is getting no signal from the tank....sometimes.

VAG-COM says 00771 - Fuel Level Sensor (G): Open / Short Circuit to +

Plug looks fine back on the tank. Didn't have time to do continuity checks to cluster. But can the short be inside the fuel sender? Would my time be better spent pulling that and taking it apart?

 

It's the typical sender failure. Pull it out, clean the resistive element with contact cleaner, fix the likely broken wire on the arm, and reinstall it.

 

Yea just found this DIY on it.

Tech Article Title

What's the best way to bleed off the fuel pressure so I don't spray it all over my trunk when I take off those hoses?

 

just pop them off. use a rag, not much comes out. Simple fix.

 

Got it. I unplugged the fuel pump, then started the car. Just didn't want gas all over my trunk.

Like many others, that little stranded wire was shot. Soldered a new one on, I've got a gas gauge again.

 

Damn good feeling isnt it

 

It didn't feel so good when I put my arm in 15 degree gasoline. Tank was full, swallowed about a pint of gas trying to get a siphon going and gave up on that. I can still taste/smell it.

 

this is why you do it with an almost empty tank

 

Yea, I didn't want to drive over the river and through the woods with that yellow "tank empty" light blinking at me.