While MINI vehicles are generally known to be safe and trustworthy, they are not immune to problems. One of the common issues you may experience with your MINI is a faulty fuel gauge, and that could be a cause for concern while driving.
The fuel gauge, located on your car’s dashboard, is there to inform you of the level of fuel available in the car. While a faulty gauge might not seem like a big issue, ignoring it could leave you stranded on your journey, so this guide will help you understand the common causes of faulty fuel gauge and how to fix it in your MINI.
What are the Causes of Fuel Gauge Failures in a MINI?
The fuel gauge helps a driver know when it is time for a fuel purchase. It alternates between “E” for empty and “F” for full. You can effectively plan your journey with a working fuel gauge. If the gauge starts showing signs of damage, however, such as getting stuck in one position, staying on “E” after refueling, or moving erratically, it could cause you to run out of fuel without warning.
Here are a few reasons why the fuel gauge in your MINI could get faulty;
Sending Unit Failure
The sending unit is one of the important components of your car that contributes to the fuel gauge’s function. This unit sends information from the fuel tank to the gauge and controls the direction the fuel gauge needle moves, indicating the fuel level in the tank. If this sending unit gets faulty, it could cause the gauge to get stuck or move erratically.
Blown Fuse
For a vehicle to work smoothly, various components of the vehicle have to work hand-in-hand. A major example is the fuel gauge and the electrical system. The fuel gauge relies on electrical connections for information transmission and other functions. A fuse acts as a safety mechanism, protecting the electrical system from high current and this usually results in the fuse getting blown. When this happens, the components that rely on the current from the electrical system (such as the fuel gauge) can fail to perform.
Other causes include;
- Poor Wiring or Faulty Connections.
- Wear and Damage to the Fuel Gauge.
- Instrument Cluster Damage or failure
What to Do to Fix Your MINI’s Faulty Fuel Gauge?
If your car’s fuel gauge starts showing signs of fault, it is important that you attend to it immediately before it causes real problems. Take the following steps:
- Inspect for Damage: The first thing to do once you notice a sign of a fault in your car is to check the suspected component for any damage. In this case, check the fuel gauge and its other units for physical signs of damage. Carefully look for tears, breakage, or any sign of corrosion.
- Fix Blown Fuses: Another solution to help you deal with your car’s faulty fuel gauge is to replace damaged or blown fuses. This will help to restore electrical connections to the gauge so it can resume its function. However, you should also make sure that you confirm the reason for the blown fuse to prevent a recurrence.
- Seek Professional Help: If you are not so familiar with a car’s mechanism, it is best to let professionals handle your car’s problems. Once you can tell that your car has a fuel gauge issue, get it down to your mechanic’s workshop, explain the problems and let them sort it out. Because there are several factors that could influence a fuel gauge’s function, your mechanic may have to perform some tests (such as instrument cluster and voltage tests) to identify the issue.
The Best Repairs for Your MINI’s Fuel Gauge Concerns
The best way to handle a fault with any of 
your car’s systems is to get a professional to take a look. Not only do they have the experience (as they have dealt with several similar situations), but they also have the right tools and equipment to ensure a perfect job.
Dell’s Service Center is a leading automobile service and repair center in Wisconsin. We have the best technicians with years of experience and brand-specific certifications; hence, there is no car fault that is too difficult for us to handle. If you own any European model and you are in Green Bay, Manitowoc, or Sturgeon Bay, WI, contact us today for the best care for your car.