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				W115 fuel gauge not working
			 
			
			
			Hi Guys, 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			I noticed that my fuel gauge needle is stuck below the R line. I know I have plenty of fuel in the tank. Is this a fuel sender issue? When the car idles, the needle does vibrate around, but does not respond to the fuel in the tank. Do I need to change the fuel sender? If so, is it something that is sticking into the fuel tank I can unbolt? Thanks 
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	1975 300D  | 
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			#2  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			It wouldn't surprise me if your fuel sender was just gunked up... 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			I also wouldn't be surprised if the fuel sender in a W115 was the same as a W123 or nearly the same... So have a look at this http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123FuelSender And this for more pictures W123 300D Fuel tank sender question 
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			1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits! Last edited by Stretch; 08-21-2011 at 04:36 AM. Reason: Double negative...  | 
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			#3  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			On a 115 any time guages act up I would look at the instrument cluster ground.
			
				
			
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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	[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.  [SIGPIC]..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.  | 
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			#4  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			That seems like a good plan to me - take the advice from someone who's owned the car!
			
				
			
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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	1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!  | 
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			#5  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			Thanks guys. Where is the ground for the instrument cluster? However my temp and oil gauge work fine.
			
				
			
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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	1975 300D  | 
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			#6  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			Can somebody tell me how to access the fuel sender? Do I need to take the fuel tank off? 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			Thanks 
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	1975 300D  | 
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			#7  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			Open trunk. Remove floor mat in trunk. Locate round plate in center of trunk floor. Remove plate, remove wire connector from sender.Remove retaining nuts, and slowly lift sender up, allowing fuel to drain from it back into the tank. When you replace the sender make sure you put wheelbearing grease on the O ring.
			
				
			
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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	81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.  | 
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			#8  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			Thanks Carnut, I will try that out this evening. I already removed the carpet and only saw the two little lines going though a grommet under the car and into the tank below. I didn't see anything in the middle of the floor. I will look again.  
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			Mark 
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	1975 300D  | 
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			#9  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			Well, I removed it. It was quite corroded. I tried to clean it up but I snapped one of the micro lines and it was impossible to resolder it back into tension again, so I guess I will get a new one.  
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			Thanks for your help, Mark 
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	1975 300D  | 
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			#10  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			I just checked the prices and one Canadian distributor wants $227 for a sending unit.  
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			![]() Are there universal units I can use? 
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	1975 300D  | 
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			#11  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			I advertise a WTB here for a good used one.  I imagine someone in AZ or someplace dry will have a good one. 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			 
			
				
			
		
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	[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.  [SIGPIC]..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.  | 
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			#12  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			Bummer but actually not too expensive - I think the W123 one retails at 570 Euros...
			
				
			
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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	1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!  | 
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			#13  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			I have a w115 parts car, if your looking for the sender I could pull it and see how it looks. I am sure I can shave 3-4% off that dealer price.
			
				
			
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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	1972 280SE 4.5  | 
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			#14  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
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			Thanks Bill. I resoldered my fuel sender, cleaned it up, checked for continuity and still the gauge does not respond.  
		
		
		
			
				However, at least the gas light comes on when I turn the key to accessories. How do I know if my sender really is the problem? How much would you want for yours? 
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	1975 300D  | 
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