Alfa 156 Sticky fuel gauge

[chrisga]

Hi guys, recently been away for a couple of weeks, the car started fine when we got back, no probs there. However, went to fill it up the other day and when we did the fuel gauge stuck on the low fuel level and then creeped up very, very slowly. So its not broken as such, just seems to be stuck somehow. Is this possible, will it free itself or do we need a new one, and is it a big job to have a new level sensor put in?

[velocemitch]

I've seen this weird syndrome a couple of times on two of the 156's I've owned. It always found it's way to the top in the end, even if it took a couple of days. The fault came and went randomly, I never changed anything and just lived with it. It only used to happen every few months so it was no big deal for me anyway.

Part of the character I guess;)

[chrisga]

Yep thats what ours has done, we filled up at the start of a 3/4 hr journey and by the time we reached our destination it had pretty much creeped up to full. Lets hope it clears itself...

As you say character. If it was any other car i'd be swearing at it by now, but in the alfa we just shrug and say hey ho one of those things!

[daphantom]

my 156 GTA does it the odd time too. The 1st time it happened i was on the verge of going back into the garage + going crazy about no fuel coming out of their pump while still charging! Thank fck i didnt

[dave_s13]

I've come to the conclusion tha all Alfas ned to have at least one thing wrong with them at any time.
Since I've had my 2005 2.4JTDm SW the following has stopped/fallen off in this order (I've only had it a few months).

- Cd changer - code not accepted (has never worked)
- Random exterior light out error (sorted)
- Instrument bulb lamps blown (easy enough to fix)
- Broken headlight access cap (causes it to mist up now) - still an issue
- Small plastic panels to access rear lights snapped off - still an issue
- O/S driveshaft popped out stranding the misses - worrying
- TRip computer no longer displays - PITA - I like trip computers!!!

The duff trip computer thing happened yesterday and is aggravating to the extreme. Almost the straw to break the camels back to be honest.

They are great looking, great to to drive and frugal, but my patience is wearing thin. I wouldn't mind but this one is only on 65k and was owned by an OCD type before me so has a full, detailed, history.

I swore this one would be a keeper but I dunno......

Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 3rd January 18:50

[Chimune]

My GTA did this the first time(after 2 years ownership) just before xmas. Took about 24 hours to go back to full. Seems fine again now.....

[dave_s13]

There seems to be a few electrical based issues cropping up on the Alfaowner forum.

I wonder if the freezing temps are causing mayhem?

[14-7]

156's are known for having fuel gauges that don't read properly.