[T3] Fuel Gauge Grounding Solution

[Keith Park]

Nice upgrade!  But can Jim also rewire the gauge base so only the correct arrow flashes when
Making a turn?  That might qualify for a "something else".  I recall that was easy, but its been 35
Years since I did mine so the details are lost to time.

😊

Keith


Topnotch Restorations
topnotch at nycap.rr.com
http://www.topnotchresto.com
71 Squareback  “Hothe”
65 Notchback  “El Baja Rojo”
93 RX7  “Redstur”
13 Subaru Outback "Blendin"

-----Original Message-----
From: type3-vwtype3.org <type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org> On Behalf Of Jim Adney
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2023 12:20 PM
To: Type3 at vwtype3.org
Subject: [T3] Fuel Gauge Grounding Solution

Over the years, many people, including myself, have noticed problems with odd behavior of the gas gauge, especially with the key off and the E-flashers working. It was pretty clear to me that this was a grounding problem, but I'd never managed to figure out a solution.

The problem is that the fuel gauge cluster depends on it's spring retaining clips to make a good ground to the backside of the dash. Over time, as the plastic dash pad shrinks, this connection becomes poor or nonexistant. VW should have fixed this in '69, when they added grounds to everything else, but they didn't.

I finally got around to looking at this situation and I see that I can add a ground wire to the bulb socket that snaps onto the back of the fuel gauge. 
Connecting the other end of that wire to a good ground will solve this problem.

This is an easy solution for '69-on Type 3s, where there are good ground connections readily available under the dash. It, or something similar, should work for earlier cars, but might require some modifying/innovation.

If you have good soldering skills, I can send you the wire and connector that you can solder in yourself, for $5.

If you prefer to mail me your bulb holder, I can add the wire and do the soldering for $10.

Postage increases those prices to $10 and $15, respectively, so the best thing to do, as always, would be to combine these purchases with something else you need me to do, so they can all ship together.

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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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