Volvo Penta D6 fuel guage and sender.

[Popski]

First my apologies for this post as I know there are many on the forum but I just can’t see an answer to my problem. Which is:-

When I start the engine and check the fuel level I invariably get only ——— in the 2.5” display and the analog guage shows 0% even though I know there is ver 100 litres in the tank. Maybe after a few minutes the display will read 0% then 99% then 70% and settle. Once underway I get ——— again and that remains the same until I next take the boat out. I have checked the sender and the resistance levels appear to be in tolerance 0 - 180oms (+-10%). The connections to the sender and the sensor on the engine appear good. So I have attempted to calibrate the tank taking out the sender setting the float to 0% going through an empty tank cal. Pressing ok on the mfd then setting the float to 100% and again doing a full tank cal. Putting everything back and starting up all appears good right up until I get the boat out on the plane and the display is showing ——— again. So I’m stumped. Could this be a software issue and is it likely I’m going to require a voida to solve this proble. Any suggestions would be very helpful.

 

[luptonj]

have you checked all the connections, more than likely a loose or corroded connection somewhere.

 

[Popski]

Hi thanks for the quick reply. Yes. As far as I can see and I checked continuity with my multi meter, both connections appear good. Engine has now just completed 205 hours and this problem began just out the blue. Nothing added or taken away for me to check back on. That’s why I’m thinking it’s software rather than hardware etc.

 

[kashurst]

Its probably the sender playing up. Get hold of a 150 ohm 5W resistor from Farnell or RS components and connect the sender connections to the resistor. Fuel gauge will display either near full or near empty (cant remember which way round it works) but a noticeable movement. Drive boat about see if the reading stays constant. If it does its the sender. If it doesn't - you will have to find out where the sender wires go and chase all the connections through. Lets hope it's the sender.

 

[Andrew38]

I had a similar problem on D6s and both senders were changed under warranty. Problem was that Beneteau had fitted non-Volvo senders, so genuine senders had to be fitted - involving cutting a hole in the tender garage floor.

 

[Popski]

Well I think I found the problem. Traced back the sender cable to the engine block and noticed that the plug was not all the way pushed in. Removed it and cleaned it up. Did a calibration and hey presto managed to complete 5 stage multi point calibration Andy this time all values were accepted and now I have a fuel gauge reading what appears to be a correct level
Also found the reason for slow tank filling. In-line is a ball valve but had been fitted the wrong way so Air was not been expelled quickly through the breather whilst filling up.