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Gas Gauge
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kampersrocket14 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1 		  Quote kampersrocket14 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Gas Gauge
    Posted: 05-Mar-2010 at 03:13
Does anyone know a company that repairs gas gauges? I have a 2003 W8 Sedan and the gas gauge does not work so i brought it into the dealership and they diagnosed the problem as the actual gas gauge. However they said they can't just replace the gas gauge and that they would have to replace the whole instrument cluster.Please let me know
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VWAffe View Drop Down
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Posts: 470 		  Quote VWAffe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-Mar-2010 at 03:48
The gas gauge in the B5.5 Passat is not a "normal" gauge... everything in the cluster is controlled via embedded firmware. With the right software (like Vag-Tacho), that means you can actually reprogram how everything behaves - a pipe dream of mine is to recalibrate my speedo and temp gauge. Pretty cool, but when it breaks, you're almost SOL.

There is some good info over at TDIClub.com. It's been too long since I was there to tell you where to look, or even give you a link to a particular thread, but I recall you may find someone who can repair them there. It'd be much cheaper than a new cluster from the dealer.
   His:    '03 W8 Sedan 6MT     ..."it goes to 11!"
Hers:    '02 V6 Wagon 4Motion      ...both black on black w/ limo tint
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markw8 View Drop Down
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Posts: 28 		  Quote markw8 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13-Apr-2010 at 22:51
The most common fault is the "fuel control module" which is sitated under the spare wheel. This takes the reading from the 3 different sensors and calculates the true reading for the guage. My control module was replaced along with one of the senders which had fallen into the tank. As VWAffe stated the whole system has then to be recoded and mine still doesn't work 100% (reads accurately down to half tank and then jumps to empty in the next 50 miles). Total cost was around £500.00 with parts and labour. Way too complex if you ask me.
W8 owner Northampton, U.K.
Passat W8 Auto, Inky Blue, SatNav, Beige Leather, Sports suspension, Nokia bluetooth.

W8 - not just a light cluster for Golfs
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pssat View Drop Down
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Posts: 90 		  Quote pssat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-Apr-2010 at 23:14
I agree with markw8. Check under the spare in the trunk, you will see some grey styrofoam looking material. Lift that up and look inside. You can see the module and if water has gotten in there and ruined it.
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W8STEDU View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		  Quote W8STEDU Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-Apr-2010 at 07:41
im having a problem with mine as well... i just pul about 8 gallons in her and normally when i start her back up the gauge shoots up to around half tank... but this time it didnt move? I live about 5 miles from the gas station so i just kept driving and it only came to about a little over a quarter of a tank... is there something wrong with mine??
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yesimalex View Drop Down
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Posts: 373 		  Quote yesimalex Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-Apr-2010 at 18:15
Probably.

I just call it my guess gauge. It's been flaky since I got the car. It seems to be slightly more accurate here lately than normal. Once it hits half a tank the gauge usually just drops to a quarter and then sits there till empty. I just go by mileage anymore. I too believe it's a lil complex, two tanks 5 sensors two fuel sending units a control unit... Thats german engineering for ya. I think there are more elctronics in the gas tank of the passat than in my escorts entirety.
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flea121 View Drop Down
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Posts: 46 		  Quote flea121 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-Apr-2010 at 22:58
Originally posted by yesimalex

I think there are more elctronics in the gas tank of the passat than in my escorts entirety.


Having previously owned an Escort a while back, I'd have to agree with you!
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