Gasoline instrument!

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Bojan, Aug 21, 2006.

  1. Bojan

    Bojan Guest

    Hello everybody!

    I have a small problem with my instrument table in my Hyundai Lantra 1.8GLS.
    When I turn off a car, so when no electricity is supply to the instrument
    table, I recently discovered, that the gasoline needle won't go down. So, if
    I am clear: all needles (speedo- and RPM, temperature) are positioned to the
    minimum (to number 0), except the needle for gasoline information shows the
    ammount of gas. It means, if the car has been fully filled up with gas, the
    needle shows maximum all over again also when the car is not working (and the
    key is pulled out).

    What should be the problem?

    Thanks for all answers,
    Regards, Bojan.
     
    Bojan, Aug 21, 2006
    #1
  2. Bojan

    nothermark Guest

    If it reads correctly when the key is on you do not have a problem.

    FWIW - the one in my 2006 goes to zero. OTOH, I have seen designs
    that do not or do so very slowly. The reason is that a fast
    responding needle would bounce around as the fuel sloshes in the tank
    so the gauge is set up to respond slowly to changes. This averages
    out the sloshing.
     
    nothermark, Aug 21, 2006
    #2
  3. Thanks for the answer. But maybe I wasn't clear enough. The needle actually
    doesn't fall slow, it shows the right ammount of gasoline. It just doesn't go
    down to zero (0) not even through a night, when a car doesn't work. And
    clearly the electric current is flowing through the instriment table. When I
    disconnect battery, the needle falls down. Any suggestion or is this
    situation OK? I think, something isn't right whit the electricity?

    Regards,
    Bojan.
     
    Bojan via CarKB.com, Aug 21, 2006
    #3
  4. Bojan

    nothermark Guest

    Most mechanical meters use a spring to return the needle to zero when
    there is no power applied. If that spring breaks the needle usually
    goes to the maximum reading and stays there when power is on.

    There is at least one design that uses an electric coil instead of a
    spring. Many car manufacturers use this type for gas tanks as it
    leaves the needle reading how much fuel is in the tank when the engine
    is shut off. It is a feature. I don't know if Hyundai used this type
    on your car but it sounds like it.

    My bottom line would be that if it reads "right" when the power is on
    I would not worry about it. It is handy to be able to read the fuel
    level without having to turn on the key.

    nothermark
     
    nothermark, Aug 25, 2006
    #4
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