5 replies to this topic

[dannyburns]

iv got a mini cooper sport 1997 and when i fill up my car with petrol to the top, the fuel gauge reads between 1/2 and 3/4, can anyone tell me if this is normal or what are the likely faults?

and also my battery volt light isnt working, the needle is reading the voltage but it isnt illuminating the dial, the clock and oil temp are working fine, can anyone help?

cheers

[Ethel]

The ignition warning light is the red one on the speedo if it doesn't light it will stop the alternator from working too. If you just mean an accessory voltmeter is unilluminated that's most likely just a blown bulb in the back of the gauge. The fuel gauge senses the resistance of the sender in the tank, it could just be dirty contacts. clean up the ones on the tank, if you connect both wires together the gauge should read full.

[taffy1967]

If the fuel gauge does read full after you've connected the fuel tank sender terminals together with a paper clip (and switched the ignition on), then chances are the sender inside the fuel tank needs adjusting?

It is a very common complaint on later Minis.

[dannyburns]

thanks for the info,
what should i use to clean up the connections?
if its a blown bulb is it hard to change?

[L400RAS]

thanks for the info,
what should i use to clean up the connections?
if its a blown bulb is it hard to change?

Hi dannyburns,

Regarding the fuel tank / gauge, yes this sounds quite "normal" for minis... the word gauge should be taken litterally. Mine goes past full, and below empty and still runs. I would get used to your car, perhaps do say 200 miles then think of filling up again.

The volt gauge just sounds like a blown bulb - easiest way to get to it is remove the radio, then pull the bulb holder out of the rear of the gauge. The bulbs are push fit.

HTH
Ryan

[TimC]

iv got a mini cooper sport 1997 and when i fill up my car with petrol to the top, the fuel gauge reads between 1/2 and 3/4, can anyone tell me if this is normal or what are the likely faults?

and also my battery volt light isnt working, the needle is reading the voltage but it isnt illuminating the dial, the clock and oil temp are working fine, can anyone help?

cheers

My experiences:

i also have a 1997 rover mini (38,000miles) that has these exact problems (fuel gauge)... and cleaning the contacts only did so much (nearly no difference)... first i tested to connect both contacts together to see that the fuel gauge read full, and it did...good start. There are two contacts on the fuel sender unit.... one that is surrounded by a white plastic circle, the other just a metal tab... i got mine to work again and read 100% by simply tapping the tab that is surrounded by a white plastic circle with a hammer and carefully tapping it lightly... NOT sure why this worked, but i'm guessing some light corrosion happened behind where this tab touches, and the tapping cured the resistance that caused the 3/4 tank readings. Its worked for many months since then, so i hope it continues to work, otherwise i will order a new fuel tank sender. Maybe this will be worth a try?

-Tim