Hi,

Over Xmas I noticed something odd with the gauge on the dashboard that reads the amount of fuel remaining. When I turned the ignition on the needle rose to the correct level but as soon as I began to accelerate the needle dropped straight to the base. I have driven my Bravo on very low fuel before and had the needle down to the very last marking - below the red, but this fell below this.

During the course of a journey the needle will rise and fall, sometimes it will rise to what appears to be the correct fuel amount where on other occasions it will rise to somewhere between empty and the correct amount. Obviously, this is quite annoying because the orange light is constantly switching on and off.

Does anyone have any ideas of how this could occur? I have used about half the fuel in my tank up to date and it doesn't appear to be giving false readings as much.

Thanks in advance.

bang your fist on the dash, that usually works. also try checking the 2 connectors on the back of the instrument panel (easily removed).

failing that it could be a wiring problem on the fuel gauge sender, or even a fauly sender unit. access this by removing the round platic access panel under the boot carpet.

it could also be an internal fault in the instrument panel, fixing that is tricky, so its often easier to replace it with a scrapyard one.

i had the same problem with my temprature gauge, if you give a sharp tap on the dash that will sort it out mate.

Hi, thanks for your replies.

I have banged the dash several times on various times and sometimes it does appear to move the needle, on other occassions it does nothing.

try replacing the sender unit with a scrapyard part. should cost £5 max

Sorry my knowledge of cars and car parts doesn't span very far, could you explain where I can see the sender unit? Also, when I go to the scarp yard do I just ask for a sender unit? Are they difficult to replace?

i've just re-read the thread and realised your sender unit is working ok. if the fuel gauge works ok when you turn the ignition on it means the sender unit is fine. if the gauge then begins to read inaccurately once you accelerate it means the fuel level control module is suffering from a short circuit inside the instrument panel (it sounds like your short is with the rev counter or speedometer). i have wiring diagrams that are detailed enough to allow a diagnostic and repair to be made in situations like this, but its easier to replace the whole instrument panel with a scrapyard one. the only problem is the milage display on an instrument panel taken from a scrap car will be different to your true milage. you can have the milage adjusted, or you can try to find one with a similar milage and just fit that (or try adjusting the milage yourself, its not that hard).

however i would strongly suggest that you first remove your instrument panel and check the 2 connectors at the back of it are securely connected. the fuel gauge signal uses pin16 on connectorB (the bigger connector). it uses a Grey-Red coloured wire. try wiggling that wire where it goes into the connector and check the contacts look clean and shiney on the connector. try a spray of WD40 or contact cleaner on both connectors. if this makes no difference the fault is likely to be inside the instrument panel, in which case replace it.