The owner of a 2004-05 Jetta or 2004-06 New Beetle may come into your store with a complaint that the fuel gauge on the dash never reaches the full mark, even after filling the tank.
While a defective fuel sending unit might be the cause of the gauge woes, a more likely scenario, says Volkswagen, is that the instrument cluster software isn't capable of recognizing changes in the signal from the sending unit.
Reprogramming the cluster with new software is the only remedy. Check with a dealer for the specifics of the flash.
"Factory Fixes" is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].