imposter Posted January 22, 2005 Report Posted January 22, 2005 If I have less than 1/4 of a tank of diesel and park facing downhill, the engine will not start. Problem is that this describes my driveway pretty well. Can get the car out of the drive on the starter motor (not recommended) and eventually the engine starts, albeit with a heck of a lot of smoke for a few secs. Is this a 'feature' or a problem with a known fix? As ever, any help appreciated Sharan, 110bhp Tdi. 1998 ®. Quote
johnb80 Posted January 23, 2005 Report Posted January 23, 2005 I've run mine way down below the red sector on the guage and it starts facing uphill or downhill no problem. Looks like you might have to have the tank out and have a look at the fuel pick arrangement. Regards - John Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted January 23, 2005 Report Posted January 23, 2005 Check fuel filter isn't blocked and that there isn't water in the fuel (drain tap under bonnet). Quote
imposter Posted January 23, 2005 Author Report Posted January 23, 2005 Drain tap? Please can you let me know where this is.Thanks,Allan Quote
MrT Posted January 24, 2005 Report Posted January 24, 2005 I once parked off-road on a very steep hill (cannot remember if front up or down) and my gauge was reading in the red and the chimes and "refuel now" warning came on. This was odd as I had nearly half a tank when I parked. After around 5 mins on the level the gauge came back to normal. Made me wonder if the gauge and outlet were always at the lowest part of the tank. Quote
Guest charlosparky Posted August 17, 2005 Report Posted August 17, 2005 Hi just bought my first galaxy and parked nose down on my 1 in 6 drive and had the exact same problem- wouldn't start even though i had a 1/4 tank. fortunaty my previous car a rover 400 had the exact same design fault, and i found out the hard way with that, so i rolled the galaxy onto the road and it started first time ha! i'm pleased overall with th car by the way, but im surprised by the lack of cubby holes. Quote
Guest vr6galaxy Posted August 17, 2005 Report Posted August 17, 2005 i'm pleased overall with th car by the way, but im surprised by the lack of cubby holes. You should have two under the front seats? two glove boxes? unless you have a passenger air bag? four door pockets! two storage bins in the boot, one where the jack is located, and one the other side that will hold a fair bit of junk, then you have to lidded storage bin in the rear quarter panel above the jack, unless you have a CD multichanger fitted into it? oh nearly forgot the ashtray and the storage slot under the radio! oh! and the pockets in the back of the front seats :D how much junk do you need to stashed all around you? :lol: Quote
MrT Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 I have never had the starting problem but with 1/4 tank and front end down, the gauge shows empty and the warnings come on. Quote
Guest ajaycad Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 Definately sounds like fuel starvation when parked on the slope........maybe consider moving house to Norfolk, or keep the tank more than half full (or should that be half empty!) i dont think there are baffles in the tank to keep fuel compartmentalised (phew!) to prevent this. Quote
mumof4 Posted June 15, 2006 Report Posted June 15, 2006 Check fuel filter isn't blocked and that there isn't water in the fuel (drain tap under bonnet). ok, been searching for a bit and still havent found what i need, i have put 20 quids worth of diesel in the car and it still shows red.ok so the car had been on red for about 3 days, but when done this before it will go up to nearly a quarter of a tank.im thinking faulty fuel sensor thingy or maybe blocked fuel filter....which should i check first and how would i do it!!!! thanking you in advance for bestowing me with you infinite wisdom. Quote
bigdaddy Posted June 15, 2006 Report Posted June 15, 2006 A blocked fuel filter would not affect the gauge,,,,,,,,,I would be more inclined for it to be a faulty gauge sender,,,,,thats my view and wisdom :blink:,,,,,,,,, Quote
AJ55YOO Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 I have never had the starting problem but with 1/4 tank and front end down, the gauge shows empty and the warnings come on. Mine does exactly the same, no starting problems though... Just have to remember to park in on the flat.. :blink: Quote
mumof4 Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 During my magical mystery tour when the fuel gauge was again on the red, and i mean right right at the bottom of the red.i got a refuel now message, as i was currently going the wrong way and hadnt a clue where i was i was stuffed... antway..when i found a service station and put exactly Quote
NikpV Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 fill it up and set the trip to 0, when you've done 500 miles fill it up again :D - couple of days then if today's escapades are anything to go by :D Quote
mumof4 Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 fill it up and set the trip to 0, when you've done 500 miles fill it up again :D - couple of days then if today's escapades are anything to go by :D how will i be able to tell its full when i dont even know how much is in it!!... Quote
NikpV Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 the pump will automatically switch off - just keep the trigger pressed :D Quote
mumof4 Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 the pump will automatically switch off - just keep the trigger pressed :D well i never knew that..will have to wait till monday though.ill let you know how much i have to put in.. :D fill it up and set the trip to 0, when you've done 500 miles fill it up again :D - couple of days then if today's escapades are anything to go by :D cheeky bugger!!!.. :D Quote
NikpV Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 If you lift the nozzle up there is a little valve at the bend of the filler pipe on the car which allows the air out of the tank faster and stops the auto shut off on the pump tripping - you can get a lot more fuel in - put Quote
mumof4 Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 If you lift the nozzle up there is a little valve at the bend of the filler pipe on the car which allows the air out of the tank faster and stops the auto shut off on the pump tripping - you can get a lot more fuel in - put Quote
Scorpiorefugee Posted June 16, 2006 Report Posted June 16, 2006 Sorry, a bit late coming in on this as usual. I've got a 1 in 4 drive and have exactly the same problem with the fual gauge - 1/4 to empty overnight! I don't have any trouble starting but I did leave it ticking over once when nearly empty and it took a good 5 mins steady cranking on level groung to get it going again and that only after taking everything to bits to prove that there was nothing else wrong. Only did it once! Now, I start it and roll off the drive immediately and I never ahve a problem. If yours won't even start, It could be that you do have a fuel line problem. This does seem to be a standard problem and there's probably nowt that can be done about it but it does raise concerns about what might happen after descending a long hill when short of fuel. :huh: :huh: :huh: Quote
mumof4 Posted June 17, 2006 Report Posted June 17, 2006 cant understand it....loads a fuel in..not tooo many miles,,yet tank is empty....on vapours according to the fuel gauge. :( Quote
NikpV Posted June 17, 2006 Report Posted June 17, 2006 didn't we discuss this :( oh no it was something else, what does the trip comp say regarding fuel consumption ? if its not much different then fuel level sender or instrument cluster. Quote
NikpV Posted June 17, 2006 Report Posted June 17, 2006 well if you want to have the fuel level sensor off to test 1. Disconnect the battery ground cable(s). 2. Remove the rear scuff plate trim panel.3. Remove the loadspace trim panels. For additional information, refer to Quote
mumof4 Posted June 17, 2006 Report Posted June 17, 2006 not half!!!! :( think i might just but a haynes with pics in it..i know it wont be the right one but at least it might give me some idea what it is im looking at! Quote
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