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2002 C4S - Fuel Gauge & Range

jonc4s

jonc4s

New member
Is there something wrong with my fuel gauge in my 2002 C4S? Normally I put a full tank in and it registers fine but occassionally when in a major rush for one reason or another I have put £25/£30 in and it doesn't register a thing. I'm left driving around with no idea when she is going to cut out, normally top it up the next day and it seems to register again.

Fair enough if I was putting in a tiny amount of fuel but it's still 20 plus litres, surely it should see it?? Sometimes it suddenly registers through the day a couple of hours post fill up.

Is this normal or do I have a problem?

Thanks
 
pretty normal when you do a splash and dash as you describe, its because of the shape of the tank i understand
 
I have heard the C4 is prone to this problem due to the estimating software for the final quarter of the tank due to its strange shape (to allow for front diffs).

Porsche did have a recall / upgrade on the fuel estimating software...Not sure if was relevant to your model.

Thanks,

Steve
 
IIRC it stops reading on the sensor, and starts calculating the level, at 19 litres. As you say £25/30 should be more than that - even at today's prices - assuming the tank wasn't bone dry when you do your splash & dash.

It might be worth having the cluster re-calibrated. They drain the tank, add 23 litres, and then calibrate the instrument cluster with the Porsche tester. It takes just over an hour to complete the job.
 
This is a pretty commonly known 'fault' with the fuel gauge.

My car is the last (2005) 996 C4S and if I do a 'splash and dash' circa £20.00 it does not show on the dial or computer.

Normally I drive from full to empty (empty - ie: when the computer shows cira 50 miles - when the light comes on) which gives me a range of circa 300 miles plus the 50 shown on the computer.

I tend to reset my trip between fills, so I would recommend when you do a splash and dash, reset the trip and that will give you an idea of how much fuel you have left if you dont drive the car for a while after fueling (I live exactly one mile away from my petrol station and can do a splash a dash, park up and not drive the car again for a couple of weeks - so this really helps to know whats in the tank before setting off again).

I hope this helps.
 
Hi
If my 996 4s was low on fuel and I only put in £20 to £25 it would not register.
First time I did this I thought there was a problem. Worried I put in another £20 and hey presto gauge shot up showing loads of fuel.
Moral is keep fuel level high if you are only putting in a small amount or put in say £40 for it to register.
Told it is normal for C4s so don't worry.
Cliff.
 
mine too. Low fuel light comes on and gauge reads empty and then it takes 45 litres to fill her up. Most annoying feature of the car by far!
 
I had the same problem. I had it checked by a main dealer and they said it was normal. I need £30 to £35 from empty to get a reading.
 
Cheers for the response, it's pretty annoying for a car of this calibre!

In terms of splash/dash it's all about remembering to reset the trip clock in future.

Cheers
 
The answers simple......fill it up..... the extra time taken to fill it up can easily be recovered by pressing the right foot down a little more[:D]
 
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