Petrol Gauge not working

[Skywalker80]

Hi, I have recently bought an Ibiza 130 TDI PD SPORT (2003).

Already have a few issues and wondered if anyone has had similar or managed to fix them cheaply.

First up is the Petrol Gauge.
Sometimes the gauge works and sometimes it doesent, went for a long drive today and the gauge was fine, just after i'd clocked up 60 odd miles the needle went from full to empty.

But the tank is full and there is no hole in it.
At the time the needle dropped, I also noticed that the outside temp on the computer disappeared and did the outside temp readout on the climate control.

I also have a problem with the coolant level, the car doesn't overheat but around 20 seconds after starting, the warning beep sounds and the red light flashes. The needle doesn't go over 90 degrees though. This doesn't happen everytime i start the car.

Both these faults are intermittent, the petrol gauge being the more problematic.
I'm sure its just a bad connection somewhere, anyone else experienced these problems?

 

[damo m8]

this looks like the common problem we are all seeing with the early sports, it will be more than likely a dry joint on the back of the instrament cluster, the only problem is you cant get to the pin as there is a plastic cover over it

see the 'Faulty Electrics' thread

damo

 

[beezanick]

As said above, sounds like a bad joint. Could be a bad solder joint or dodgy earth connection.

 

[Skywalker80]

It went back to the garage I bought it from on friday, they had it all day and had the instrument panel out and also examined the earth connection as they thought that was to blame.
When i called them on friday they said everything was working but wanted to see what it done in the morning...needless to say, all the faults came back.

The garage have now booked into the local Seat dealers as they said they've dealt with the problem before.
I really hope this fixes it this time, will inform of the results.

 

[Nath.]

Petrol Gauge not working

Ahhh, that will be due to the lack of petrol in your diesel tank then

This is a common fault and can be very expensive (£600 ish)when the diagnosis is a replacement instrument cluster

My money is on a faulty IC in the instrument cluster, I have had 3 goes at fixing this fault and I know my way around the workings of a test meter.

do a search mate but I think you will find the other people who have had this fault fixed have all had a new cluster fitted,

It may be a dodgy connection but It looks like exactly the same fault that I could not fix

 

[the_fbi]

If you look at the wiring diagram all of the faults are within 2 rows, the 2 bottom ones which you can't get at without removing the needles (literally).

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2417072&postcount=30

I doubt you have a coolant level warning sender either, mine certainly hasn't, but its probably looped to ground till your water runs out, then goes open circuit, the problem with the dodgy solder is it goes open circuit even though the circuit isn't used, hence showing low. (that said, possibly yours has this sensor).

I don't think its an IC issue, its just poor flow soldering, mine has the same fuel and ext. temp issue.

I generally find that on the 3rd time of turning the key (back to 0 and then to II again), it'll show the fuel level.

Its an expensive fix as it needs a new cluster, then that needs coding to your keys.

Given how often this fault turns up, and I believe it affects A3's too, you'd think Seat would fix it free, as its clearly a manufacturing defect.