Questions and Answers
Jetta Fuel Gauge Fluctuation
Q. Hi Vince, I have an odd problem with my Volkswagon Jetta. It's a brand new 2002 Jetta 1.8T, turbocharged engine, 5-speed automatic, just over 1,000 miles. Problem: at around ¾ of tank, the fuel indicator needle will sometimes suddenly drop towards empty about ¼ of a tank. The needle will slowly creep back up as I continue driving over the next 5-10 minutes.
The drop in the needle seems to occur immediately after a stop at traffic intersections, red lights, etc. Even stranger, I can't consistently duplicate this problem as a test drive my car through city street intersections. I've brought the car into the Volkswagen dealer twice so far. The first time they replaced a faulty Fuel Sender. The last time they replaced the Engine Cluster. Neither replacement has fixed the problem. Do you have any other ideas?
Thanks for your help
A. There was a problem in the wiring harness in the 1998 to 2001 Golf, Jetta, New Beetle and Passat. The problem was a poor connection between the instrument cluster and wiring harness due to poor wiring to terminal crimping or improper terminal tension. This would be well worth checking into.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
