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Jaguar XK8 Fuel Gauge Problem - Video inside

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Old 04-23-2011, 01:53 PM
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Default Jaguar XK8 Fuel Gauge Problem - Video inside

For some reason that gas gauge drops when I get to about 7/8th tank, and goes to empty. Sometimes it will come back up as long as the fuel level is high, but normally it stays at empty until it's refilled.

15,000 miles ago the dealership replaced the fuel pump, sender, and sealing ring. Someone had mentioned to me that it might be the float binding.

I don't know much about this - does anyone know the proper way or diagnosing/troubleshooting this issue? Here is a video of it in action - thanks!

YouTube - IMG 0961 NEW
 
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Old 04-23-2011, 03:30 PM
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If you had that much in the tank, I don't think it would be a binding float as I said earlier. Looks more like a wire connection issue. Especially since the low fuel light is on even when it is registering a good amount of fuel. I would check the wiring connectors to the float system. Could also be a bad rheostat on the float mechanism. The fuel gauge is basically a volt meter.
 

Last edited by hlgeorge; 04-23-2011 at 03:32 PM.
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Old 04-23-2011, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by hlgeorge
If you had that much in the tank, I don't think it would be a binding float as I said earlier. Looks more like a wire connection issue. Especially since the low fuel light is on even when it is registering a good amount of fuel. I would check the wiring connectors to the float system. Could also be a bad rheostat on the float mechanism. The fuel gauge is basically a volt meter.
Low fuel light is not on until the gauge drops. It comes on as soon as it hits E.

I don't think it's wiring because of the consistency.. It's like clockwork -

Every time it's filled it reads full. It always works for 1/8th of a tank. Then it drops after that to empty and stays until refilled.
 
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Old 04-23-2011, 05:23 PM
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Reviewing the 2003 Electrical Guide:
The fuel level sensor is a variable resistor with 80 Ohm indicating full and 900 Ohm indicating empty. FC26 pins 13 and 14 are signals at the instrument cluster.Bottom right yellow connector. The full path is FK1 3&4, FT1 6&7, BT2 17&18, RH1 13& 14 , finally FC26 13&14.
An ohm meter shouild tell you if the sender is bad.
I would check your model years electrical guide before proceeding.
 
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Old 04-23-2011, 05:59 PM
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I think this is just another instance of the quirky electric in these cars. Something a little bit similar has happened to me once or twice after filling the tank. On initial start after complete filling, the needle is all the way at F but the amber "low fuel" warning light suddenly comes on. It stays lit for maybe 10 or 15 seconds then goes off. Again, this has only happened once or twice and I just guessed that the system took a few seconds to realize the tank was full and not empty.


Doug
 
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Old 04-24-2011, 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted by SeismicGuy
I think this is just another instance of the quirky electric in these cars. Something a little bit similar has happened to me once or twice after filling the tank. On initial start after complete filling, the needle is all the way at F but the amber "low fuel" warning light suddenly comes on. It stays lit for maybe 10 or 15 seconds then goes off. Again, this has only happened once or twice and I just guessed that the system took a few seconds to realize the tank was full and not empty.


Doug
That sounds like an instrument cluster board issue to me. I say this because the cluster triggers the light when the needle goes to E. I don't think another part of the car would trigger the light to come on but the cluster. I had an issue with my 1990 7 series where the gong wouldn't work. I checked all the wiring, the gong itself and everything seemed fine. It turned out to be the instrument cluster board itself.

My problem is something external and I think the cluster is receiving a reading which disappears under a certain level causing the gauge to drop to empty and the light to illuminate. A good way to test yours would be to toggle through the instrument cluster computer and see if it gives you an estimated mileage left while the light is on. On mine is says ERROR as soon as it drops.

BOBF: Where are these connectors located? Where should I start? I have some electrical troubleshooting expertise but when it comes to this I'm not sure if the chicken or the egg came first.
 

Last edited by mbenvo; 04-24-2011 at 01:25 AM.
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Old 08-30-2011, 09:03 PM
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Did you ever findout what was causing this problem, because my 01 has the same problem.
 
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Old 08-19-2012, 09:52 AM
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Hi

Has anyone solved this?! I now, as of today, have the same problem - exactly as described, too. Toggling through the trip computer to read the MPG figures seemed to give mine the kick it needed to right itself, but that could easily have been a coincidence!

Cheers
 
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Old 09-07-2012, 11:04 PM
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IPG, You can take a look on the below thread, some of the information may help. You can DIY repair your fuel level sender.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...bwoofer-70631/
 
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Old 09-08-2012, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by toyman
IPG, You can take a look on the below thread, some of the information may help. You can DIY repair your fuel level sender.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...bwoofer-70631/

This only applies to the coupe, the tank must be removed on the convertible.
 
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Old 09-30-2012, 07:14 PM
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xkr 2001 , argentina . hi ,
Has anyone solved this?! I now, as of today, have the same problem - exactly as described, too. i have always full tank , .
 
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Old 09-30-2012, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by WhiteXKR
This only applies to the coupe, the tank must be removed on the convertible.
Actually, on my 2000 Coupe, the Sending Unit is located on the rear face of the Tank, easily accessible just by removing the upholstery panel in the trunk.

I think that on the 2001 and newer Coupes, the Sending Unit is located through the Assembly on the Top of the Tank.

Of course, on the Convertibles, the tank must be removed.

In fact, my Fuel Sending Unit has just began to Fail intermittently. The unit shows open circuit most of the time with a ohm meter. Substituting a 470 ohm resistor for the Sending Unit produces the expected reading on the Fuel Gage.

I have ordered a new unit from Welsh Enterprises, ($60 inc. shipping).

These Sending Units seem to be problematic. The failing unit in my car has a 10/02 Date on it and so it must have already been replaced once when my car was 2 years old.
 

Last edited by Paul Pavlik; 09-30-2012 at 07:45 PM.
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Old 10-01-2012, 06:21 AM
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ok, I'll wait if it improves, only 200 miles in one year of use. occurred when added to the tank cleaner injectors , sorry lenguage , soy argentina
 
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Old 10-01-2012, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by tanngo
ok, I'll wait if it improves, only 200 miles in one year of use. occurred when added to the tank cleaner injectors , sorry lenguage , soy argentina
If you only do 200 miles a year, just fill the tank every Christmas and you won't need the gauge
 
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Old 10-01-2012, 07:45 AM
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I am having the same problem with my car and working on the cause. Will provide info when I have it repaired. I am presently leaning towards the sending unit in the tank.
 
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Old 10-02-2012, 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Gus
I am having the same problem with my car and working on the cause. Will provide info when I have it repaired. I am presently leaning towards the sending unit in the tank.
xkr 2001 , 19.000 milles . argentina . hi

when full works ok, medium tank fails. autonomy error. it all started after adding injectors clean the tank.
 
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Old 10-02-2012, 12:04 PM
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I think the additive was coincidental and is not related to this problem. I do however think it is the tank float. I performed a few tests on my car and ordered a new float that I expect to get today. After I install it and all is good I will post a check procedure with illustrations.
 
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Old 10-03-2012, 07:33 AM
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GUS, ok. new hope. recently completed tank, with the illusion that fits.




XKR 2001 , 19,000 millas . argentina
 
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Old 10-05-2012, 08:08 AM
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something new.? I'm waiting wing tips, it hurts down the tank, a slight improvement was the problem, now, the fuel gauge drops when I'm standing up more than 5 minutes, running works somewhat erratic.

xkr 2001 .
 
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Old 10-05-2012, 08:13 AM
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I just received the float but will not be in a position to change it until Monday.
 


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