Fuel Gauge adjuster?

[newsh]

I moved the fuel gauge adjuster by mistake when I was fitting the Plasma faces yesterday and I'm now not sure if I got it back in the right position. I'd just reassembled the cluster and was checking all the adjusters and then thought, doh, shouldn't have moved that one.. Is there a method for setting this? I'm thinking I'll fill the tank right up and check the needle's on the full mark on the gauge?

[Jas11n]

I moved the fuel gauge adjuster by mistake when I was fitting the Plasma faces yesterday and I'm now not sure if I got it back in the right position. I'd just reassembled the cluster and was checking all the adjusters and then thought, doh, shouldn't have moved that one.. Is there a method for setting this? I'm thinking I'll fill the tank right up and check the needle's on the full mark on the gauge?

There is a proper procedure for setting it, but it involves some VAG testing tools and the connector to the sender and pump in/on the tank. (I suppose this is to send a true empty signal to the gauge)
I've adjusted a few on previous cars, and also on this S2 I have now, after doing exactly the same as you have just done.
I've found it far more accurate to adjust the needle when the tank is running on fumes rather than full.
The manual procedure is all done by simulating the tank is on empty and the needle adjusted to the low point rather than high.

Jas..

[newsh]

Thanks Jas

So just drive around with a gallon can in the boot till it runs out then.. as long as it doesn't happen in the outside lane of the M25..

[Jas11n]

Just been hunting back through audifans as I remember a post from a chap in OZ (LINK). He used a resistor in place of the VAG 1301 tool to simulate the empty signal to the gauge. Unfortunatly he doesn't say which rating of resistor. Here is the manual procedure for the records anyway;

[topsparky]

newsh i'm sure it's on s2central
have got it somewhere in a folder will try to dig it out

[dan_b]

Newsh, how do the Plasma gauges look?

[newsh]

Newsh, how do the Plasma gauges look?

Nice

[newsh]

Jas, I wonder if its 280 Ohms? (it says set the VAG tool to 280, could be just a test number though.)

[s2_southwest]

i accidently adjusted mine when fitted plasma gauges, and now when on nearly empty the needle is pointing to the quarter full mark, doh!

think i need to adjust mine too. but i never realised you can pull the cap off, then adjust with an allen key. I take it that everyones cap spins freely which is a safeguard against accidently turning it.

[newsh]

Duh, the cap spins... maybe I haven't accidentally adjusted it then.. what a plonker Rodney, sorry guys

[newsh]

Anyway, I filled it to the brim with V Power and the gauge reads dead on the full mark, which I think is how it was before.

[s2_southwest]

well i know i did adjust mine lol

it does turn the needle quite far, you know when you have done it

newsh been on the christmas drinks already

[Jas11n]

Cool
Yes the cap spins as it is, It needs pulling out with a pair of long nose pliers. Just be careful.
The run-through on s2central is great for the trip computer adjustment, but didn't work well for my gauge calibration.

For the record, the chap in OZ on audifans has just replied to my PM about the resistor.
I'll put it below for the archives.

G'Day Jas..

Merry Christmas to you, too!

Those fuel gauges are a pest! I'm convinced that the gauges should never be touched - it's fuel gum on the PCB in the sender that causes the gauge to not read correctly. I strongly advise to go through the pain of cleaning the sender PCB in the tank, as I ended up doing, before adjusting the gauge. Without a goof signal, the gauge will always be out....

Here's the formula I discovered for the VAG-1301 >>>> LINKY that's a handy reference when the manuals call for this tool.

Based on the above, I used a 150 Ohm 5W wire-wound resistor. I'm playing safe with that particular resistor and it's probably way more 'heavy duty' than is required, but for 50c, who cares? Plug it across the terminals in place of the 1301, turn on the ignition, walk away for 5 mins (to let the wire in the resistor heat up), then come back and adjust the gauge.

I've left that stupid blanking extension off the gauge altogether and use a 5mm rubber grommet on the perspex to seal the hole - easy access for next time, and it stops dust getting in there!

Cheers
James

Jas..

[s2_southwest]

good ref for the future.

[newsh]

Excellent stuff Jas, well done