[x300] Fuel gauge gone wonky, X300

[Doug_Dwyer (Doug Dwyer 1985 Series III V12)]

Hi gang.

My fuel gauge seems to be acting up. Seems to have dropped very low very
quickly. On hitting “E” I filled up the tank …it took only 10 gallons to
do so… and the gauge went up to only “1/2”.

The archives revealed some concerns over a hose (or something) in the tank
interfering with the float arm. Can anyone elaborate a bit on this? I didn’t
see any factory bulletins on the problem via AllData.

Any other ideas before I begin usual diagnostics?

Thanks
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR

[Doug_Dwyer (Doug Dwyer 1985 Series III V12)]

Updating my own post

My bifocals must be dirty. There are two TSBs regarding fuel gauge problems.
One elaborates on the diag procedure and the other recommends a second
design sending unit which eliminates interference inside the tank

I’ll let everyone know how things work out

Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “Doug Dwyer” <@Doug_Dwyer4>

The archives revealed some concerns over a hose (or something) in the tank
interfering with the float arm. Can anyone elaborate a bit on this? I
didn’t see any factory bulletins on the problem via AllData.

[motorcarman]

In reply to a message from Doug Dwyer sent Fri 4 Sep 2009:

The TSBs are 05.01-13 and 05.01-34
I will send them to you if you don’t have them.
They are .pdf files
Let me know

bob gauff–
The original message included these comments:

My bifocals must be dirty. There are two TSBs regarding fuel gauge problems.
One elaborates on the diag procedure and the other recommends a second
design sending unit which eliminates interference inside the tank
I’ll let everyone know how things work out

–
Bob Gauff Owning and Repairing Jaguars Since the Early 70’s
Decatur, TX., United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

[Jeff_Watson]

G’day Doug,

I get the same problem quite often with my car and I fix it by removing the
fuel level sender from the tank and cleaning the contacts on the wiper.
There’s plenty on the forums about this but the problem is that the fix
doesn’t last long.

Regards,
Jeff Watson.
Sydney, Oz.
1995 V12 X300.

Updating my own post

My bifocals must be dirty. There are two TSBs regarding fuel gauge problems.

One elaborates on the diag procedure and the other recommends a second
design sending unit which eliminates interference inside the tank

I’ll let everyone know how things work out

Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRSubject: Re: [x300] Fuel gauge gone wonky, X300

[Doug_Dwyer (Doug Dwyer 1985 Series III V12)]

Thanks, Bob. I printed them from AllData

Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “motorcarman” rancher_dude@yahoo.com

The TSBs are 05.01-13 and 05.01-34
I will send them to you if you don’t have them.
They are .pdf files
Let me know

[Doug_Dwyer (Doug Dwyer 1985 Series III V12)]

Thanks, Jeff.

Some quick browsing suggests that a new sending unit (LNE 2000 AB) is only
about $45 here in the USA. For that amount I’d just replace it, as the new
design is supposed to have better contacts.

One of the bulletins also suggests that the cluster calibration might be an
issue. I’m hoping I don’t have to “go there”.

Cheers

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “Jeff Watson” watto700@exemail.com.au

I get the same problem quite often with my car and I fix it by removing
the
fuel level sender from the tank and cleaning the contacts on the wiper.
There’s plenty on the forums about this but the problem is that the fix
doesn’t last long.

[Cabinetman]

In reply to a message from Doug Dwyer sent Fri 4 Sep 2009:

I replacled mine this past Spring without one issue. The biggest
concern I had was fuel in the tank. Without a good idea as to how
empty the tank was, I didn’t want to remove the sender without
making sure the fuel level was below the sender.

I found out that the ‘‘white’’ plastic material that acts as the
holder for the float assembly and also as the plug for the tank is
translucent. Therefore you can see the fuel level clearly outlined
through the plastic if the fuel is above the bottom lip. I’ll bet
a flashlight will help there, too.

Installing the new unit, however, took about 2 minutes, literally.
Just make SURE you’ve got a new seal as well. Don’t assume the new
unit will come with one. I, at least, had to order both items a-la-
carte. As soon as I plugged it in, we were back in business.

Rome–
'97 XJ6 L
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

[Doug_Dwyer (Doug Dwyer 1985 Series III V12)]

Thanks, Rome

Good tip about the translucent plastic

Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “Cabinetman” romanpolaski@cox.net

I replacled mine this past Spring without one issue. The biggest
concern I had was fuel in the tank. Without a good idea as to how
empty the tank was, I didn’t want to remove the sender without
making sure the fuel level was below the sender.

I found out that the ‘‘white’’ plastic material that acts as the
holder for the float assembly and also as the plug for the tank is
translucent. Therefore you can see the fuel level clearly outlined
through the plastic if the fuel is above the bottom lip. I’ll bet
a flashlight will help there, too.