BX diesel Fuel Guage

David.Cox · Post by **David.Cox** » 02 Dec 2002, 04:14

My 1988 BXDTR 17 recently got down to the bottom of the white marks on the guage, when I normally fill it up again. Howver, on this occasion I had to carry o, thinking that I had lots of fuel left ( which I in fact did have. However, when it dipped down to the red area - which seems to be a separate measure, it went right to the bottom. It flicked back to white as we went upfill or downhill, but as soon as it entered the red again it went to the bottom. I seem to recall reading somewhere that there is in fact a reserve tank ( my manual says that I have 66 litre tank). Does this mean that my guage for the reseve is faulty, and if so how do I fix it. Is it perhaps just an electrical thing.???
Would appreciate help on this if possible; i do recognise that this is something that can be lived with, but I am thinking of the time I am stuck somewhere and need to know just how much fuel I really ahve left.

vanny · Post by **vanny** » 02 Dec 2002, 04:33

To check if there is a reserve tank, have a look behind the bumper below the fuel cap thats where the tank is located. AFAIK there is not a seperate sensor for the reserve tank, it flows directly into the main tank. The sensor its self (located under the back seat) is the same accross all the diesels and they do have a tendancy to die for no apparent reason. The last one that died on me had a tendancy to make the guage needle 'dance' in time to the music on the radio.
Id suggest finding a scrap diesel and pulling the sensor out of that. The sensor is so basic that it would be rather hard to fix it, and wouldnt be worth the effort
Vanny
Merseyside, UK
Citroenbx19rd@bxproject.co.uk
http://www.bxproject.co.uk

DLM · Post by **DLM** » 02 Dec 2002, 06:31

Be cautious about scrapyard sensors - don't pay too much. I bought a "spares" BX diesel with guage needle hard down and reclaimed about 20 litres of fuel from it!

David.Cox · Post by **David.Cox** » 03 Dec 2002, 05:03

Thanks for the info vanny. However, my point is that the guage works perfectly well down to the left hand "zero" white mark. It is only when it goes below that mark that it then floors it'self. I suppose the guage could be getting stuck at that point, which would also point to a new sensor, srcap or otherwise, much as I have had a 2cv sensor that has refused to register below halfway, but that behaved quite differently. Thanks, but any other info would be appreciated.

vanny · Post by **vanny** » 03 Dec 2002, 05:26

In my usual 'learn by destruction' method of learning, i took the old one to pieces. Must admit it was a while ago, i kinda looked at it and went 'that shouldnt break' there isnt a plit sensor of anything, its one sensor all the way down, but i guess it would be possible for it to bottom out. Mine stayed flat at zero fuel when it was anywhere above 3/4 full (thats what finally made me swap it). Id suggest swapping the sensor first as it is really easy to do. After that the next place to look is the guage on the dash, but given the type of guage, id suggest that is it works at all and breaks down in the same place everytime (eg well down to the left hand "zero" white mark) then the wiring will be fine and the guage should be fine (its getting to the bottom, so its not sticking).
Vanny
Merseyside, UK
Citroenbx19rd@bxproject.co.uk
http://www.bxproject.co.uk

Post by **RichardW** » 03 Dec 2002, 15:25

Sounds like there could be a fault with the warning light. This usually comes on as the needle reaches the 'R' zone, and will come on uphill, and then go off down hill. There is usually 10 litres left when this comes on. My guess is the bulb has blown or there is a short, and when the light is supposed to come on it is earthing the gauge and causing it to read zero. There is usually a second contact on the gauge sender that lights the light. 2 ways round this:
1. Spend untold hours fighting to get it work, and failing, miserable, cold, wet and frustrated.
2. Ignore the useless thing, always fill the car to the top, use the trip meter, and start looking for a diesel station at around 525 miles.
I know which I would (and did!) use <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Richard