Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,
Boo hoo weirdly my fuel gauge and temp gauge appeared to have just given up today rather weird.
The needles just sitting there at the bottom - not a flicker , with no warning .
Really peed off as was planning on a trip tomorrow and could do with a quick fix?
Anyone have any ideas - the clock gave up before I bought it but obviously not really such a problem

Does these things just wear out inside or is it more likely to be an electrical thing , I am not so technical but just lookin for an idea of how long/much it is gonna take to fix this problem?

Thanks,
Mary

If neither the fuel gauge or temperature gauge are working it could be due to fault with the voltage regulator which is a small transistor mounted on the circuit board at the rear of the instrument cluster.

Pauly cheers,
Voltage regulator would that be a part I can get quick or fix if it was that ?
Mary

I don't know where you can get a new one from. Maybe someone will be along soon and tell you some good news, or have one spare.
I don't think you can fix a voltage regulator once it stops working.
Sorry I can't be more help.

Thanks, anyone know where I can get a voltage regulator ?

Go to your nearest scrapyard and have a look round some old VWs. I think I got one off an old Passat once. Alternatively, have a look in the RS catalogue. I'm sure it will be accessible online.

I have ordered one from vw van already.17 quid .I'm hopin to head off in the van this week
Only this morning they started Working again , it didn't last long mind you - refuelled set off again and they both died again , not only that the led that flashes when the indicator is on seems to have died as well , so I'm thinking is this the voltage regulator or something else .im not normally hands on but my mechanic is on holiday, where I am meant to be goin and van is goin so good except this damn electrical prob now I know it won't break down but don't wanna run out of fuel

Mine did this when I first got it; it's a dead simple fix. There is a multi pin plug on the end of a ribbon at the right of the instrument binnacle. This works loose. If you lift off the cover you can see it but if you slide your hand up under the dash to the right of the steering column you can feel it. Just give it a gentle push and you should be back in business.

Good luck!

Hi vanwithplan, I will definately try this in the morning I really hope I can get it working.

You can see the ribbon in some of these photos:

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... n&start=75

Just be gentle with it, re-seating the plug may well sort your issue. We had this problem - no fuel or temp, no indicators etc. Shutting the doors would sometimes cure it. Since I adjusted the connector on the ribbon it's been great. I think I've only had to do it once in the 18 months since.

The temp/fuel gauges are supplied by the Voltage regulator. If this fails or the voltage is very low, both gauges/coolant Led will not function. The regulator sits in a socket and is easily replaced by undoing the securing nut and pulling it from the socket.

However, you or your mechanic can easily verify if the gauges are receiveing the regulated 10v from the regulator. This can be done without removing the dash and leaving the regulator in place by measuring the voltage on the temperature gauge securing studs. These are reasonably easy to access with the POD cover removed (placing a mirror behind the dashpod helps to guide you regards placing the probe on the nuts but you can generally do this by feel alone).

The centre nut is Earth. Place one probe from your multimeter (set to read DC Volts greater than 12V) on this centre nut.

The outer securing nuts. Place the other probe on either of these nuts. You should read approx. 10V.

if you get a reading of 10V then the fault is in the PCB tracks or edge connector and the POD will need to be removed for inspection and continuity tests.

If you do not get a reading or, it is very low, then the most likely causes are either:-

a) the regulator has failed. (common - but Intermittent problems usally indicate that its not a failed regular - regulators generally work or don't work.)

b) the regulator is not receiving the 12V supply due to a faulty PCB track. (Not so common)

c) the legs of the regulator are badly tarnished, the legs of the regulator need to be cleaned up. They should be bright silver not 'sooty' in appearance. (very Common)

d) Failure of the 22 ohm Voltage regulator 'strapping' resistor which is colour coded Red, Red, Black and needs to checked. Its easily reconisable and part of the crimped resistor array on the pcb. (rare)

awesome van with plan , IT WORKED,



Now have a full tank of fuel - engine temp , and indicator tell tale.
This is my first 'repair' , it's not a proper one - but have an immense feeling of satisfaction because it cost me not
Now just to think about everything else like who's gonna do my resto , as much as I'd love to do that can anyone recommend want it back to it former 1989 glory ? It's pretty clean to start off

cheers again VAn with plan !
PS How do I post pics on here as well

Glad it worked
Search the Wiki for article/instructions on posting pics.

If anyone reading this in the future finds their 10 volt voltage regulator has packed up, then this will be good information ( from a post at = https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 7#p7719967" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )

bluket25 wrote: I think I've found some after a lil research. for 50p. = item number ( kca 7810 )at http://www.farnell.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The only thing is the pins are at the opposite ends so will have to put it in up side down and a washer to pick up space to reach heatsink if know what I mean.
Any way you all prob know this,

For those that did not know this, it works fine. I have used that trick more than once on various VW's
The genuine item is around £17 and these are 50p

Here is a link to the actual thing = http://uk.farnell.com/taiwan-semiconduc ... dp/7174020" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

E D I T = if easier they are on ebay too as = http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TAIWAN-SEMICO ... 3a6f615068" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; tho at £1.99

Oldiebut goodie wrote:The only thing against those ones is that they are the 1A variety not 1.5A.
Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/L7810-7810-Vo ... 3efd078e5b £1.95

ghost123uk wrote:Good point

Wonder how much current the fuel and temp gauges use, best to err on the safe side tho