Fuel gauge / instrument panel problem

Newbie Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Hi there, just got a used clio 1.2 rl biarritz but there's a slight fault.
I'm fairly new to cars but quite electrical/mechanically minded so I'm hoping it's something I can diagnose/fix with a little help Smile

When I turn on the car headlights (either sidelights or dipped, doesn't matter), the fuel gauge shoots up by about half. It operates normally any other time.

Before I go disassembling the dash is there anywhere else I should be looking first?

Many thanks
Paul

Site Subscriber Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 2281

Sounds like the headlight circuit interfering with the fuel guage wiring. If you're pretty good at electrics then you might be able to work out where the two circuit come into contact, then that'd be a good place to start looking for a short circuit!

Not an expert by any means, just a suggestion. Better off waiting for some of the more knowledgable folk to pop on with their little nuggets of advice!

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

Gentle Ben wrote:

Sounds like the headlight circuit interfering with the fuel guage wiring.

No shit sherlock Rolling Eyes

Could be an earthing problem i reckon

Spammer Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 5717

Neal 19 16v wrote:

Gentle Ben wrote:

Sounds like the headlight circuit interfering with the fuel guage wiring.

No shit sherlock Rolling Eyes

Could be an earthing problem i reckon

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

its knackered.

replace the dash display, yopu can swap bits but it rarely helps.

i have had similar issues, on fords etc its easy change the stabiliser, on the rens if left melts ther dash loom like it did on project Y