DS3 fuel gauge issue

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Lees150815
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DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Lees150815 »

Hi all, looking for some help, I just purchased a 61 plate DS3 diesel. When first driving the car the fuel gauge was upto the 3rd line and I decided to put £25 of diesel in it. After that the Iines disappeared and it was displaying the fuel as to low on dashboard. After a few days I put £20 in it which took the diesel gauge only upto 3 lines which didn't seem right as it's has £45 in it at this point which should be at least half a tank if not more. Then after a few more days the lines dropped pretty quick again and then I decided to fill it to the top but now after driving away it still shows as fuel to low. Is there anything I can do or try to have this fixed ? Any help appreciated
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Lee
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Have you been 'brimming' it? Never fill past the third click. This can upset the system and cause the fuel gauge to remain at about 80% full when the tank is filled.

The fuel is measured under certain conditions. The BSI memorises the fuel at the last switch off of ignition.

When the ignition is switched back on, the fuel level is measured again . If there is a difference of 5 litres in relation to the level memorised, the built-in systems interface (BSI) deduces that the fuel tank has been filled and the new volume of fuel is taken into account.

If you have filled the tank up and the gauge is well - off - i.e. half a tank or so and this does not correct when you go for a drive within 5-10 minutes, then, you need to get it checked out. It may need a software update or the fuel sender unit could be damaged.

The impedance of the gauge varies with the level of fuel in the tank. The fuel gauge is linked directly to the BSI
Typical values:
- Tank full: 50 ohms (approx.)
- Tank empty: 350 ohms (approx.)
The level of fuel is measured by the BSI

On the sender units, there is a thin wire that can become detached from the sender unit that sends the readings to pot. If you have Diagbox diagnostics with a Lexia 3, you can perform a test on the gauge to check the Ohms and compare it with what the instrument panel readout says.
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Lees150815
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Lees150815 »

Thanks for the information. The wife did mention she filled it probably a bit more than she should have so will have to checked out.
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Paul-R »

I've see this advice to not fill beyond the third click a lot. My reasoning is that this advice is to stop the possibility of fuel spilling out into the environment. I habitually fill up to the very top of the filler neck of both our cars and I did the same for the two Citroens before that. In fact I've done it for all our cars for years without a problem.

In short, I don't believe it to be the source of your problem.
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by myglaren »

^ Same here. The only problem in >12 years was that a couple of months ago I brimmed it, the gauge needle fell as normal to ¾ after ±100 miles then went back to full for a few days, then operated as usual. I did fill up again when ¼ tank indicated in case there was a problem with it and I didn't want to run out of fuel. The volume of fuel it took to refill indicated that the gauge was accurate and it hasn't displayed any problems since.
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by GiveMeABreak »

The brimming is just another possibility - as this actually happened to me and has happened to others. The dealer recalibrated it and all was back to normal - I used to literally brim it to the neck - but have not done so since.

Having said that, I don't believe this is your issue, as it is not just a matter of having it stuck in the 8/10 position - yours seems to be vastly out of range, which is why I suspected the sender gauge wire on the unit may have become dislodged.
fual gauge.PNG
Fuel gauge 2.PNG
The wire arrowed in red has come away causing erratic readings when the float lever is moved up and down.Here the wire has been soldered back in place
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I won't fill up a vehicle after the first click. Michel (who rides motorcycles) commented that a full to brimming diesel tank could, on cornering, allow a little diesel out onto the road surface, lowering the level of adhesion and increasing the possibility of a motor cyclist coming off the bike.
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Lees150815 »

Thanks for the reply guys, any idea how to get access to the sensor ? My understanding is it's under the back seat, if so any idea how so you remove the back seat ? Cheers
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Pop your VIN up here and I'll see what I have as there are a few different types.
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Lees150815 »

Hope this helps.
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Paul-R »

No that's just information about the windscreen itself.

The VIN is visible through a small window situated around the edge of the windscreen near a LH or RH lower corner.
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Lees150815
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by Lees150815 »

Here it is. Excuse the hands in the picture lol cheers

Admin Edit:
Ok, we have it. I have removed the picture for you protection and replaced it with the VIN here that staff can see.

VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
Last edited by GiveMeABreak on 28 May 2019, 21:19, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed VIN picture
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Re: DS3 fuel gauge issue

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok, so you have the sender gauge unit without pump.

You'll need a suitable tool to remove the fixing ring:
DS3 D.PNG

Removal
Disconnect the battery.
Remove the rear seat.
DS3 A.PNG
DS3B.PNG
Remove the blanking piece (1).
CAUTION: Before uncoupling them, clean the click-on connectors (If necessary).
CAUTION: Plug the click-fit unions (3) (according to equipment)

  • Disconnect the connectors (2) (according to equipment).
  • Uncouple: The snap on connectors (3) (according to equipment).
]CAUTION: On removal, protect the fuel gauge well surround with absorbent paper; Place a tray under the fuel gauge well immediately.
CAUTION: Following removal of the fuel pump and gauge assembly : Immediately screw the ring nut (4) back on the tank to avoid any distortion of the fuel gauge well (Risk of fuel leak).

Remove:
  • The ring/nut (4); Using tool [1618]
  • The fuel gauge (7); Take care not to damage or distort the float arm (6)
  • The seal (5)
Refitting

CAUTION: Always replace the seal (5).
CAUTION: Take care not to damage the seal (5) and the float arm (6).

DS3 C.PNG
Unscrew: The ring/nut (4).
Refit:
The new seal (5)
The fuel gauge (7); Take care not to damage or distort the float arm (6)

N.B. : Align the arrow "b" on the ring nut (4) with the reference on the fuel pump and gauge assembly "a" as well as with the reference "c" on the fuel tank.
  • Refit the ring-nut (4) and tighten with tool [1618], until the arrow "b" is aligned with mark "c" and mark "a".
  • Reconnect the connectors (2) (according to equipment).
  • Couple the click-fit unions (3) (according to equipment).
  • Operate the manual priming pump for 120 seconds to prime the fuel circuit.
CAUTION: Perform the operations to be carried out following reconnection of the battery. See my post here: viewtopic.php?f=51&t=61997

Reconnect the battery.
Check the operation of the fuel gauge on the instrument panel.

Checking for leaks
  • Start the engine.
  • Allow the engine to idle for 2 minutes.
  • Check there are no leaks.
  • Check that there are no air bubbles in the return circuit .
Refit:
  • The blank (1)
  • The rear seat
  • Check that there are no air bubbles in the return circuit
Attachments
DS3 Gauge No Pump.PNG
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