Bipolar gas gauge on 1998 Beetle 2.0L

I had a goofy fuel tank gauge; it ended up being the fuel level sending unit, on the original VW oem VDO pumps, it is a separate removable part screwed into the body of the fuel pump.

This would require removal of the fuel pump; if the pump is old you might consider, rolling the cost of the sending unit, into the purchase of a new pump, a oem Bosch fuel pump is revised with a integrated fuel level sending unit and includes a new rubber tank seal.

Checking the cost effectiveness of the sending unit and another pump; may help your repair direction, parts purchase. Looking on FCPEuro's website; the fuel level sending unit, by itself is in the $63 (Bosch) to $155 (genuine vw), price range, so a new pump, maybe a way to go with a whole Bosch fuel pump, being in the $150 range?

For diagnosing the problem; I ran a scan with VCDS by Ross Tech and there was a factory VW trouble code, for the fuel level sending unit being defective. Also, with a scanner like that; you can do a output test on the speedo cluster and confirm, the gauge is working as it should.

Once, the fuel pump is removed; you can inspect the level sending unit and follow the resistance testing procedure, outlined in the service manual.


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Bosch Fuel Pump Assemblies (69740)


NOTE: the VDO

Continental Fuel Pump Module Assembly; In-Tank Module | 1J0919087J


228-233-001-003Z Fuel Module - 04103590350367


VDO online parts catalog:


VDO sells a pump with or without the fuel level sending unit.

Also, DO NOT; buy a cheaper, aftermarket fuel pump, from the typical auto parts stores; they cause drivability issues, seem to be defective out of the box and cannot seem, to provide the needed fuel volume, under load. We have seen bad aftermarket pumps installed by members and then, they couldn't figure out, whey the car ran bad! Stay away, from brands, like Hamburg Technic, URO , O'Reilly's Import Direct, Airtex, etc.

The only ones we see work correctly; are those from VDO/Continential, genuine VW/VDO or Bosch.

Lastly, it always a good idea; to replace the fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator at the same time and this insures, the fuel system, performs at top levels.




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