Hello,
I recently had my LR3 fuel pump replaced as it had failed. It was a clear failure, with the pump making a terrible whining noise. It was replaced at a local indy shop. Immediately after being replaced, the fuel gauge responded by being stuck around 3/4 or Full. As a result, my wife did not notice that the vehicle was out of gas and it ran dry. I assumed, since it still showed near full, that there was a problem with the pump and returned to the shop to have it looked at under warranty. They determined (after dropping the tank etc) that it was simply out of gas, put $5 of gas in and the gauge showed 3/4 again. They then, without asking me, replaced the fuel float in hopes the gauge would reset. It did not. Still showing near full. They were able to sweep the gauges, which all worked, but their computer is showing a 3/4 reading as well. So it is clearly a sensor issue.

It seems odd to me that the fuel level sensor (one of which is attached to the pump module according to the service manual) would only fail after they had dropped the tank and replaced the pump. Should this fuel gauge issue be covered under their parts and service warranty? It seems like it was a technician or parts caused issue, no? Advice?

Thanks,
Aaron

 

I'm curious if they replaced both sensors.

 

They replaced the pump initially, then the float. My understanding is the rear sensor is part of the pump assembly

My understanding is that you can take readings from both sensors resistance to see if they are faulty, as well as the float. So instead of taking a stab in the dark that it is the float and replacing that part without asking me, they could have done real diagnosis and found the faulty part and replaced it. If the fault was in the wiring to the pump or in the rear pump sensor then it would be warranty work. Am I wrong?

I just feel like I was charged for parts and labor for the float install that didnt even fix the problem without any real diagnosis being done and the possibility that it was a faulty part that was installed in the first place.

 

Lrcat

This is the part manual for the LR3 Fuel Pump and Level Sensors. The pump does not come with a level sensor. The pump is not that bad to replace by the level sensor require no gas in the tank and really long arms with small hands. The local dealer frequently replaces the complete tank since it comes with level sensors installed. What year is your LR3, or better yet, send me the VIN? I remember some tanks in the early LR3's replaced under a recall. I can run the VIN and see if any open campaigns or recalls are available thru the dealership.

 

Hello,
Thanks for the info. So in your opinion how is it that the gauge acted up only after the pump was replaced? Thanks for looking in to the vin for me. It is an 05, the VIN is SALAE25465A319409. I am in Canada, if that makes a difference. Not sure if LR Canada has different recalls.

 

Cheap pump so sensors don't jive?

My old tank would get stuck at like 3/8 and run dry, I was told by a dealer tech it was an issue on 2005, they used to swap the entire tank assembly under warranty

I swapped the tank , there is apparently a part in front that you can't realty replace iirc winds around in tank

 

Build Date Dec 22 2004 and no recalls or campaigns open, but you're right I see North America and not sure if this sees Canada spec vehicles.

IMO, any thing is possible with a Land Rover. The wiring on the level sensor are long and can physically impede the movement of the level sensor(s) if not installed correctly. Software can also play a role in the level calculations. Sometimes simple software update of the instrument cluster will do, but I would not let just anyone do this. A vehicle reset or "hard reset" can fix electrical problems. This is similar to the a reboot of your Windows PC. I have a customer has a similar problem with his LR3 2006 V6, Canada spec. However, the sensor read empty all the time. He uses the mileage range as a guide between fill ups. I believe he puts about 200 miles on each tank before refueling to max. Not really a fix, but a temp solution to the problem at hand.

 

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...7V011-6131.pdf

Found this info about the recalls. Looks like your LR3 is within the VIN range. I would follow up the local dealer regarding this. You may get luck and have the dealer fix for free!

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I have tried a hard reset already with no success. I am now following up with the dealer regarding the recall. I'll update as I find out.

Aaron

 

Unfortunately, the part installed on my LR3 is the correct part and the updated recall does not apply. Is there a testing procedure that an indy shop should be able to do for the sensors rather than just throwing parts at it?