By Bavarian Performance Specialists October 30, 2018
Driving a Volkswagen is an activity that should be fun, even if you are just heading to work. You know that your Volkswagen is reliable and will stay strong for a long time. This is something that you expected and were counting on when you purchased your vehicle. However, like any vehicle, your Volkswagen may begin to experience changes and some decline in function as time goes on.
One of the issues that may present itself is a failure in the fuel level sensor. The fuel level sensor is the system that measures how much fuel your Volkswagen has. If this sensor fails then you will not know when it is time to put in more fuel — you could be running dangerously low in fuel and have no idea. Knowing the reasons why the fuel level sensor can fail is going to help you be able to identify an issue with the sensor before it is too late.
Broken Parts
The first reason why the fuel level sensor has failed may be due to broken internal parts. There is a part that floats in the fuel and will indicate the level of the fuel. If this piece breaks off or becomes separated from the arm that holds it, the fuel level readings will not be accurate. As you can imagine, with the fuel level sensor giving the wrong readings, it will be very difficult to know when you are running out of fuel.
If a part is broken you should be alerted by the fact that the fuel gauge will get stuck in a certain position. That could be either in the empty position or the full position. This can sometimes be difficult to notice or realize before it is too late because it is not often that we look at the fuel gauge, until we believe that it is time to get gas. However, if you know you’ve been driving a bit or have filled up recently and the gauge hasn’t budged, you may have a problem.
Circuit Problems
Another reason why the fuel level sensor may fail is because it is not getting the amount of voltage it needs to function properly. In order for an accurate reading to go from the fuel level sensor to the fuel gauge, there needs to be a current flowing between them. If there is an issue with the circuits or the wires that connect the two, then the reading will not get to the correct place. The wires could be loose or they could even be corroded. Neither are ideal situations and may require replacing if the wires and corrosion has reached a point where they cannot be fixed.
General Wear and Tear
As your Volkswagen ages, it makes sense that the fuel sensor will experience some wear and tear. As the parts are all working together, it is possible that parts could rub against one another. If this were to continue over time, connections are not going to be as strong. This would mean that the signals sent may be weak and could be interpreted as not even being received. If you suspect that this may be the cause of the failure, then you can replace the parts that are showing the most distress.
Ask for Help
Knowing the reasons behind why the fuel level sensor fails is going to be your first line of defense. In order to ensure that your Volkswagen can continue to function at the standard you have set, you need to be able to address any and all issues that come your way. This especially applies to the fuel level sensor. It is never ideal to run out of gas when you thought you had more than enough.
When any of the above symptoms begin to show up, you should take your Volkswagen to a team of technicians you can trust. At Bavarian Performance Specialists you will find such a team! We are conveniently accessible from the areas of Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake, Malibu, and Newbury Park, CA. Having been in operation for over 30 years, with specializations in German and European brands, you can rest assured knowing that your Volkswagen will be receiving the best treatment. Our technicians will take the necessary time to properly diagnose the reason for the fuel level sensor failure so we can get you back on the road as soon as possible. Call to make an appointment today!
FAQs
In order for an accurate reading to go from the fuel level sensor to the fuel gauge, there needs to be a current flowing between them. If there is an issue with the circuits or the wires that connect the two, then the reading will not get to the correct place. The wires could be loose or they could even be corroded.
What is a common cause of fuel level sensor failures? ›
The most common causes of faulty gas gauges include sending unit failure, a blown fuse, circuit problems, and instrument cluster failure.
What can damage a fuel sensor? ›
Corroded wires, especially in the case of a fuel sending unit located on the fuel pump, can stop voltage either from the source or to the fuel gauge. A fuel gauge that only reads full may be caused by a faulty fuel gauge resistor sending the full voltage to the fuel gauge at all times.
Why is my fuel sensor not working? ›
The most common reason for the fuel gauge to malfunction in a car is due to a bad fuel sending unit. The fuel sending unit measures the amount of gas in the tank and communicates the level to the fuel gauge in your car's dashboard.
How much does it cost to fix a fuel level sensor? ›
Parts alone can cost anywhere between $20 and $270, according to your vehicle's year, make, and model. Part cost can also change if you're buying an individual piece, set, or kit. Labor cost will depend on your location and extent of work required. It can range from $80 to $250.
What are the 3 common causes of sensor failure? ›
Sensor failures can be caused by mechanical damage, environmental factors, electrical interference, or calibration errors. These failures can have various effects on the PLC system, such as false readings, loss of communication, or system shutdown.
What are the symptoms of a bad fuel sensor? ›
A malfunctioning FTP sensor can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- An illuminated Check Engine Light.
- Rough Idle.
- Decreased Fuel Efficiency.
- Poor acceleration.
- Difficulty starting the engine or stalling.
- Emissions Issues.
Assuming you can get the engine to start and keep it from dying, it's possible to continue driving your vehicle despite the fuel rail pressure sensor's failure. However, running lean or rich will cause more serious engine problems in the future, so you should only do this in an emergency for a short time.
Why do fuel sensors go bad? ›
Wear and Tear: Like many automotive components, fuel pressure sensors can wear out over time due to normal usage and exposure to various elements. The internal components, such as the sensing element and electronic circuitry, may degrade, leading to inaccurate readings or sensor failure.
Can I drive with a faulty fuel temperature sensor? ›
It should be safe, but you will have very poor gas mileage. It can potentially cause the motor to stumble on after turning it off, because there can be unburnt fuel in the cylinders. I would definitely have it fixed as quickly as possible to avoid the chance of damage to the motor.
DTC P0460 stands for “Fuel Level Sensor “A” Circuit.” This code is triggered when the PCM detects that the input signal from the FLS doesn't fall within the expected range. Code P0460 is commonly caused by a faulty fuel pump, FLS sensor failure, and wiring issues.
How long does it take to replace a fuel level sensor? ›
A certified mechanic can replace your fuel gauge sender in about 1.8 hours hours. A mechanic will first disconnect your car's battery to inspect the fuel gauge sender. If it is faulty, they will remove it and install a new one.
What does a fuel level sensor do? ›
A fuel level sensor (FLS) is used in all automobiles to indicate fuel level. Various methods are used to measure fuel level such as resistive film, discrete resistors, capacitive, and ultrasonic. Resistive-based sensors are most commonly used for this application.
Can a fuel level sensor cause a check engine light? ›
This will not hurt any thing, what you may want to do is make sure the check engine light is not any thing major. The light is on most likely due to the fuel level sensor. The fuel level sensor will cause a p0463 code and will not harm anything.
What causes a fuel pump sensor to go bad? ›
Wear and Tear: Like many automotive components, fuel pressure sensors can wear out over time due to normal usage and exposure to various elements. The internal components, such as the sensing element and electronic circuitry, may degrade, leading to inaccurate readings or sensor failure.
What causes air fuel sensor to go bad? ›
Common sources of contamination include an excessively rich fuel mixture condition or oil blow-by in an older engine and engine coolant being burnt in the combustion chamber as a result of an engine gasket leak. It is also exposed to extremely high temperatures, and like any component can wear over time.
How often do fuel pressure sensors go bad? ›
Most fuel rail sensors last as long as the vehicle they come with. However, they can still fail earlier than expected. A faulty sensor usually displays at least one warning sign that it no longer works properly.
Why do fuel tank pressure sensors fail? ›
Common reasons for failure:
Overexposure to extreme temperatures, weather, vibration, and/or corrosive fuel vapors. Over filling the fuel tank will cause fuel to overflow into the charcoal canister and other overflow lines can cause the sensor to fail.
