Erratic Fuel Gauge On My C180

[Fendilicious]

I have a 1995 C180 auto and yesterday the fuel gauge stopped working. I noticed it come back on and then back off again.

I know the tank was a quarter full but decided to put 3 gallons in hoping it would work. No luck! But then a few miles later it came on for a while before going off again!!

Would appreciate any advice.

Regards,

Jay

 

[dave.robbo]

Odd! It can only be a couple of things, really..

The sender itself, the gauge, or the wiring between them!!

Does the low level light come on as well when the gauge drops to empty?

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Try running a bottle of fuel system cleaner through it next fill up, that could help.

If it doesnt then there is properly a sulfer build up on your level sensors, which will need replacing.

 

[Dec]

Just to second Ellsy Tanners advice, I had same problem as yourself and added STP Injector Cleaner which cured the problem.

Dec

 

[Fendilicious]

Hi again. Firstly, no, the orange indicator light does not come on at all and it seems as if there isn't a connection to the gauge.

Secondly, following your replies i have added a Unipart branded petrol additive (recommended) at lunch time and it seemed to work 5 minutes after start up.

I might repeat it again at the weekend with the STP stuff.

I haven't checked it since but will keep you posted.

Many thanks for all your valuable responses.

regards

Hav

 

[Dec]

Cluster, rear, W202

When you turn on the ignition (but not start engine) all your warning lights come on for 30? Seconds as a bulb test, INCLUDING the low fuel orange light, if it doesn’t come on then the bulb is faulty or dead.

The STP stuff is what I used, I presumed it is ok, others may recommend some other brand, but I don’t think the brand you use will make much difference anyway as long as it is reputable.

I wouldn’t repeat with another treatment, until you have used up the Unipart branded petrol additive you have already added.

Dec

 

[turnipsock]

where are you buying your petrol?

 

[jimsinessex]

I have been adding Wynns Injector Cleaner every 6000 miles for at least the last 150,000 miles and the engine still purrs, so no ill effects there then.

The reason I use the additive is to counter the low detergent content of ASDA fuel which the car is fed nearly all the time. I can detect an added smoothness and better response after each treatment. It also keeps the fuel gauge sensors clean, still original although they played up in the early days before I started the additive treatment.

Why ASDA fuel? With an ASDA Mastercard card giving 2p off per litre I am still paying just 112.9p per litre. The Wynns treatment adds just 1/2p per litre to that.

Jim

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I agree with jim my car (C230K) had exactly the same intermittent fault with the fuel gauge, short term solution use fuel system cleaner/injector cleaner, long term solution use branded fuel.

 

[star]

C classes are prone to tank sender unit faults, get it checked on star, which will check the instrument cluster etc.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Being a 1995 202 C Class, is,nt that to early to be diagnosed by star?
Thought only later 202's were compatible with star.

 

[horgantrevor]

i had the same prob i put a cleaner additive in the tank (stp ) and it sorted it out

i have asked this question before and got great advice it may also be the conection t the back of dash (console ) pull out and spray the conectors with a cleanig fluid and this also lubes the conection to stop this happening again . i hope this helps good luck

 

[sixpack]

Fuel Gauge

Hi Fendi, Theres one other, simpler explanation for the gauge staying at zero, the needle sticking to the little pin at the 0 end of the scale when you turn on the ig. Prove it by waiting till it happens again and thumping the dash. If the needle jumps up to the correct reading, strip the dash and clean the pin.

Peter

 

[star]

Being a 1995 202 C Class, is,nt that to early to be diagnosed by star?
Thought only later 202's were compatible with star.

My star has HHT built in.

 

[BlackC55]

HHT for those that do not know stands for Hand Held Tester.