Hi, 

We have a 02 fabia 1.4mpi which has developed a problem with the gauges. The temp gauge is now always near the coldest end of the dial, whilst the fuel gauge rarely drops from being full. When it does drop it is only for a few moments even if the tank is near empty. I have wiggled wires etc to no avail. Any ideas or suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

I would start by getting any fault codes read, and start the fault finding from there, if it shows the coolant temp sensor, then only replace it with a genuine one from VAG/TPS don't trust any pattern ones from the likes of ECP/GSF

Thermostat may be stuck open making the gauge read low. Which gauge started playing up first?

They both started play up at the same time.

1 hour ago, MackyD said:

They both started play up at the same time.

 

Coincidence, I'm fairly sure. 

The temperature gauge gets its input information as a data stream via CANbus from the engine ECU.

The fuel gauge circuitry is on the dash cluster itself with 'info' coming from the sender in the fuel tank. 

Unless there's something common in the circuitry that powers the stepper motors which drive the gauge needles of course; might have a look at that tomorrow if I get any spare time.

 

I'd suggest the temperature problem is likely thermostat or coolant temperature sender. Do you get hot air from the heater vents once the engine has been running for 10 minutes or so?  If you do, it may be just the temp sender; if you don't, maybe try thermostat first.

 

The fuel gauge misbehaviour could be a cracked solder joint at the green 32-way connector on the dash cluster, so inspect all of those carefully and reflow any that are cracked.