I pulled the needle off the fuel gauge today in the hope I could simply put it back on in a slightly different position. The fuel light was coming on as the gauge was a fair bit off the E for empty.
I'd done this with the speedo in the past and it worked well
However, it appeared to take quite a pull to get it off and then wouldn't go back on again.
I happen to have a spare, although increasingly cannibalized instrument cluster so I can replace the gauge.
Does anyone know how or even if this is possible given I'll have to separate the needle from the rest of the instrument to get round the fuel level / temperature display card.
I don't want to make the same mistake twice.
Fuel gauge but not the usual problem
Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior
Re: Fuel gauge but not the usual problem
Drill the hole out and glue it back on
Bet the hole or pin is not round
Probably glued before
Bet the hole or pin is not round
Probably glued before
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
Re: Fuel gauge but not the usual problem
Cheers Gasy.
I'm not sure that will work.
I probably need to put some photos up but the needle came off with a small length of metal rod attached, about 5mm long and the diameter of a pin.
This came out of the gauge where there is a (approx') 2mm hole in a small white round plastic err...thing which is about the size of a very small pea.
At the bottom of the 2mm hole is the top of a similar metal rod to that on the needle.
Thanks for reading so far - I realize such descriptions take a while to grasp...not much more to go...
I did glue the needle back into this but it did not work. I'm wondering if perhaps the white thing is some sort of bearing and I broke the metal rod pulling it off.
Has anyone replaced or removed the fuel gauge from the instrument cluster or removed and replaced the needle?
I'm not sure that will work.
I probably need to put some photos up but the needle came off with a small length of metal rod attached, about 5mm long and the diameter of a pin.
This came out of the gauge where there is a (approx') 2mm hole in a small white round plastic err...thing which is about the size of a very small pea.
At the bottom of the 2mm hole is the top of a similar metal rod to that on the needle.
Thanks for reading so far - I realize such descriptions take a while to grasp...not much more to go...
I did glue the needle back into this but it did not work. I'm wondering if perhaps the white thing is some sort of bearing and I broke the metal rod pulling it off.
Has anyone replaced or removed the fuel gauge from the instrument cluster or removed and replaced the needle?
Re: Fuel gauge but not the usual problem
What a classic illustration of the saying ' If it ain't broke ...' !
Frank
Frank
My schoolmates idolised Biggles, I wanted to be Alcock & Brown
They flew, I took up naturism
They flew, I took up naturism
Re: Fuel gauge but not the usual problem
How did you come to the conclusion that the fuel gauge was faulty and it was not a fault with the Low fuel Light Gubbins.?
Re: Fuel gauge but not the usual problem
Diplomat, you're right, an excellent example of "If it aint broke..."but I thought it would be a 1/2 hour job and it was a bit of a pain, the fuel gauge showing the tank was 1/2 full when it was only 1/4 full.
Also, I've spent a bit of time on the instrument cluster and this was the final thing to do.
Rita, I know it was the gauge because of the odometer reading. The problem started following me having the instruments off to install a light like the rear fog light indicator below but green and on the other side (it indicates when there is power going to the 12 volt glow plug rail).
I suspected there was either a problem or else, somehow, the Bongo had become amazingly more fuel efficient.
Anyone, I'm still looking for help with how to replace the fuel gauge, especially if the needle can somehow be removed and how it should look when done so. I wonder if the metal rod should have perhaps not come out with the needle.
Also, I've spent a bit of time on the instrument cluster and this was the final thing to do.
Rita, I know it was the gauge because of the odometer reading. The problem started following me having the instruments off to install a light like the rear fog light indicator below but green and on the other side (it indicates when there is power going to the 12 volt glow plug rail).
I suspected there was either a problem or else, somehow, the Bongo had become amazingly more fuel efficient.
Anyone, I'm still looking for help with how to replace the fuel gauge, especially if the needle can somehow be removed and how it should look when done so. I wonder if the metal rod should have perhaps not come out with the needle.
Re: Fuel gauge but not the usual problem
I have a solution....
But it's not a pretty one.
First of all, a warning. You can't simply pull off either the temperature or the fuel gauge needles.
The following is probably not worth reading unless you are faced with the same issue
First of all, you need the instrument card with a fuel and temp' gauge attached like this:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dashboard-War ... 2585a6cebc
This is easy enough to remove from the instrument cluster - 6 small screws at the back that go into the floppy circuit behind the instruments.
Now cut the card off.
You'll see there is still a thick, clear perspex mount between both instruments and their respective needles. Cut this off with wire cutters or a saw.
You now have the gauges but still with the needles attached. Grind, cut, bite or chew these needles off however you can.
Replace your broken gauge(s) with these freshly liberated ones.
Get the needle from the broken gauge that has the pin sticking out.
You have to remove the pin whilst preserving the needle. I did this by clamping the pin (hard) and twisting it out but you could also push it out as the hole the pin is in goes all the way through. You will have had to remove the black plastic cover that goes over the round bit of the needle which clips off
Bore the hole in the needle out a fraction and stick on the replaced gauge.
I need not mention (need I?) to make sure you stick the needle on in the correct position. This is best done by running the Bongo with the instrument cluster attached but with the clear plastic front cover removed, tube of glue to hand.
But it's not a pretty one.
First of all, a warning. You can't simply pull off either the temperature or the fuel gauge needles.
The following is probably not worth reading unless you are faced with the same issue
First of all, you need the instrument card with a fuel and temp' gauge attached like this:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dashboard-War ... 2585a6cebc
This is easy enough to remove from the instrument cluster - 6 small screws at the back that go into the floppy circuit behind the instruments.
Now cut the card off.
You'll see there is still a thick, clear perspex mount between both instruments and their respective needles. Cut this off with wire cutters or a saw.
You now have the gauges but still with the needles attached. Grind, cut, bite or chew these needles off however you can.
Replace your broken gauge(s) with these freshly liberated ones.
Get the needle from the broken gauge that has the pin sticking out.
You have to remove the pin whilst preserving the needle. I did this by clamping the pin (hard) and twisting it out but you could also push it out as the hole the pin is in goes all the way through. You will have had to remove the black plastic cover that goes over the round bit of the needle which clips off
Bore the hole in the needle out a fraction and stick on the replaced gauge.
I need not mention (need I?) to make sure you stick the needle on in the correct position. This is best done by running the Bongo with the instrument cluster attached but with the clear plastic front cover removed, tube of glue to hand.