Hello

I recently bought a 1995 volvo 440 tdi. I seem to have a problem with my fuel indicator: it won't drop under 1/4th even if the tank is empty <<< we found out soon enough, we ran out of fuel! The light on the dashboard does work..

1) What could be the problem and how to fix this?
2) There is a light burning from the moment you start the car at the right upper corner, it only goes away after kicking the brake: what is that? Is it normal?
I don't have the owner manual, so it's pretty difficult..

Thank you very much!! :liebe011:

The light that goes off when you press the brake is normal. if it doesn't go out when you press the brake it means that you have a problem with your brake lights.

Sorry I can't help you with the fuel thing! I'm sure other people will. I can help you with anything else if your not sure of anything.

Agree with Billie, the orange light is a brake bulb test light - should stay on until you dab the brake pedal for the first time after turning on the ignition. If illuminated at any other time, then you've got a brake bulb out.

It sounds like you might have a faulty sender unit in the fuel tank. Your Haynes manual will give details of how to replace it. You can replace it yourself if carefully DIY.

Get back to me if you need more advice on doing the job.

BB
:beer:

Hello Everybody,

Thanks for your responses!

The problem is that I don't own a haynes manual and no owners manual either.
Is there somebody who can inform me on how to fix the fuel indicator problem myself?

:liebe011:

The fuel gauge sender unit is inside the fuel tank.

The following advice is intended as guidance only, since it relates to petrol injection engines - I've never replaced the sender unit on a diesel.

Make sure you know the radio code & with a cold engine/exhaust (and the fuel tank as empty as possible), remove the fuel pump fuse, start the engine & once it's stalled, attempt to restart for several seconds. After two unsuccessful restart attempts, the fuel system should be sufficiently depressurised. Disconnect the battery earth lead then replace the fuel pump fuse.

Remove the rear seats and find & prise off the plastic cover in the floor which covers the access hole to the top of the fuel tank.

Disconnect the wiring connector from the sender unit then, with rags at the ready in case of fuel spillage, disconnect the fuel lines and unscrew the collar that secures the sender unit.

Pull the sender unit out of the tank. Remove the rubber sealing ring from the tank & temporarily refit the securing ring in case the collar expands.

When refitting, consider using a new sealing ring & in any case, smear a little petroleum jelly on the rubber sealing ring.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

BB
:thumbsup:

Hello BB,

Thank you for the advice! :liebe011: I will try to do this with my brother sometime soon if I have a new sender unit.

Bye!
Stain

:P

You're welcome. Hope the job goes well when you tackle it - in the meantime, keep an eye on that gauge!

BB
:banana:

Hello BB,

I have a new unit, but I still have a problem: how do I get the backcouch up?
It seems as if it's stuck to a safetybeltunit. Thank you! :liebe011:

From memory if you pull it forwards (& upwards a little at the same time) it should come out but you do have to give it a good heavy pull. One person each side helps.

BB
:)