Has anyone ever had issues with their gas gage in their 2001 Audi A4? It occasionally bounces from empty to a quarter as well when I fill her up it only raises to 3/4.

 

It could either be instrument cluster or the gas level sensor on the fuel pump, long as no one has touched the programming for the instrument cluster. Check the instrument cluster, you need to take it to someone who has a vag-com that can do a output test on all your gauges and see if they sweep properly. A scan tool will also actually tell you how much fuel the level sensor is reading and the scan tool does not go by what the gas gauge says.

 

I had a 1999 A4 1.8T that had this problem from the get-go when I bought it new. At the time, Audi spent thousands on warranty trying to find out the problem with several sensor changes and even a new gas tank brought up from Audi US (Los Angeles). After about 4months of the car being in and out of the shop and after they had consultations with Audi in Germnay, they managed to fix it 95% .. i.e. I still don't get a completely full reading on fill-up. The Service Manager then (he's gone now) told me that my problem resulted in an Audi Technical Bulletin being issued but I never find out what the cause was (propritary information?) If you have a reliable dealership handy, you may want to ask them if there's a Bulletin dating back to 1999/2000.

 

My 2006 A4 shows about 80% after a fill.
So, I just use the driver info centre to read the range remaining on the tank.

 

my old 96 A4 did this, as well, my old 2002 passat was just starting to do this when i sold it... afaik it is a problem with the sensor in the gas tank, and gas from certain stations makes it worse (gasolines with higher sulpher content). shell is one of the worst for causing this problem (or at least used to be).

 

I haven't seen so much in the 2001, it would either be the instrument cluster or the fuel level sensor, both which require a scantool to determine which one it is.

 

Did you ever find anything else out about this? I just had a similar experience today...

Driving along and the low fuel warning came on...
I looked at my trip setting (I reset each time I fill up) and it said I had only done around 380kms when I normally go around 500kms.
I thought it was strange, but guessed that something was wrong with the car - leak, fuel useage, etc.
Stopped into the gas station and filled up - I could only fit 45 litres in - fuel gague went to 3/4 full.
As I drove back to work the gague slowly started to creep back up to full.

Chad

 

I found two things, My mass air flow sensor was messed and need replaced which greatly improved fuel economy as well my fuel sensor was the reason for the jumpy gage.

 

Do you remember if you had specific codes for the fuel sensor?
Dare I ask approximately what the fix cost?

Thanks for the follow up...

Chad