Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all,
Just got our 996T back from the body shop - the fuel gauge read nearly empty with the range readout saying the same thing. So I went to the petrol station expecting to get at least 50 litres in. Strangely the cut off went at 19 litres. And the gauge still reads empty...

Any ideas as to what is happening??

Another annoying failure on our 996???

I have had a similar problem on my 997 as they have a similar tank design, i.e. saddle over the front diff. But I have to say it did clear once driven and the sender had a shake up.

Were the bodyshop working in that area and left a plug off ? Fuse ?

The front PU / bumper was taken off, that's all. But the battery was disconnected. I will see what happens when I use the car again.

Never had that issue, I do know that if the fuel low light comes on you need to put at least half a tank ( 30 ltrs ) in to get the light back off. Hypothetically, if it was empty then 19 ltrs wouldn't have been enough to put the fuel light off and the gauge would still read empty.

Lee 944 wrote:Never had that issue, I do know that if the fuel low light comes on you need to put at least half a tank ( 30 ltrs ) in to get the light back off. Hypothetically, if it was empty then 19 ltrs wouldn't have been enough to put the fuel light off and the gauge would still read empty.

I meant that brimming the tank only took 19 litres, so it wasn't empty at all.

GrayB wrote:

Lee 944 wrote:Never had that issue, I do know that if the fuel low light comes on you need to put at least half a tank ( 30 ltrs ) in to get the light back off. Hypothetically, if it was empty then 19 ltrs wouldn't have been enough to put the fuel light off and the gauge would still read empty.

I meant that brimming the tank only took 19 litres, so it wasn't empty at all.

So is it still reading empty now?

its a known issue that splashing the tank doesn't make it show full, but it normally catches up when giving a full filling..
Otherwise it may just be broken..

Yep, still reading empty less than 50 miles after brimming the tank. We only ever fill the tank right up, as the range isn't exactly huge even then...

We are getting used to stupid things breaking on this car. Comparing the quality of ordinary components with our 28 year old 944T is not very encouraging.

it may well remain showing empty until next time you give it a full fill- which will overcome the splash and dash issue..

I used to feel proper embarrassed putting my car into service at the OPC with the fuel light on, yet knowing I'd just put £25 of fuel in.

Solved! I had been fooled by the petrol pump cutting out prematurely when I filled the 19 litres the other day. At the petrol station today I was more patient and gently managed to carry on filling when the pump cut out. Eventually I managed to get 51 litres in - and hey, presto, the gauge reads full again.

Thank goodness no repair required!

turn the handle/pipe towards the windscreen as it greatly assist the filling on the modern Porsches.. and saves it continuously cutting out.

Glad its sorted for you.

I love my 'old school' S2 ...

GrayB wrote:Yep, still reading empty less than 50 miles after brimming the tank. We only ever fill the tank right up, as the range isn't exactly huge even then...

We are getting used to stupid things breaking on this car. Comparing the quality of ordinary components with our 28 year old 944T is not very encouraging.

We all know you only stick in a fiver's worth at a time

sam wrote:
We all know you only stick in a fiver's worth at a time

Yeh - spent all our money on maintenance and repairs!

Changed the tyres yet, I will check in the morning at Fontwell!!

Tyres were ok, after all - just a bit low on the edge. Did have a gearbox oil leak though when we got home - another tasty bill....

However, I'm afraid we have to drop out of the meet tomorrow. Family issues - Martin will explain. So sorry to miss seeing you all.