I've just replacement the fuel tank lift pump on my 2003 vRS. The original was starting to make funny noises so I though it best to replace it.

 

The existing pump was labelled: 6Q0 919 050 ( not the 050 A which is on the later models ), so I replaced it with a Pierburg 7.02701.09.0 from misterauto.

 

Problem is, the fuel gauge doesn't want to leave the red area ( low fuel warning light on ). The tank is full. I've replaced the pump with the original and you can see the fuel level rise as the float lifts ( takes a while ).

 

The Pierburg just doesn't play ball. The pump itself is fine, taken the car for a spirited drive, no issues.

 

Anyone had similar issues with replacements?

 

Thanks,

Phil.

Happened to mine, reads full when empty. Put it down to crossed wires on the float of the new pump. Check where the float wires go on the old pump (think it's the middle two prongs) and swap them over in the plug.

Happened to mine, reads full when empty. Put it down to crossed wires on the float of the new pump. Check where the float wires go on the old pump (think it's the middle two prongs) and swap them over in the plug.

 

Well, I swapped the float resistor feed around, still no joy.

 

Turns out, after a bit of swimming through diesel, that the float on the replacement pump is not strong enough to defeat the diesel. If you put the pump into a bowl and fill it up with water, the float will rise. If you the pump into the tank, the float sits almost on the bottom.

 

I also confirmed that the resistance goes between 60 ohms to 300 ohms. Obviously it depends on which way around you have your multimeter. I had my meter wired up so 60 ohms was float down ( empty ). The replacement pump only ever read around 90 ohms in the tank, which is just inside the red zone on the fuel gauge.

 

I've decided to send the replacement pump back, save up and buy an OEM. I noticed the original pump was much better built than the Pierburg.

 

Thanks,

Phil.