ok so i just put $20 into my mini (single tank).. and the needle doesnt go much over half way.. on the guage.. im guessing its broken ? although when it get under half way its totally correct...to my knowledge... any ideas/comments ?

Have a look at this:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... r&start=15


I rebuilt my sender only recently. Very easy job with a length of the correct resistive wire, a soldering iron and a multimeter.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

that helps.. but mine works perfectly fine once its under halfway...

If it simply isn't making it over half way, it might be your sender or the voltage stabiliser, or the guage itself.
If it's innacurate over half way, but fine under that then it prolly is your sender (There's an insulator inside wrapped with wire inside, it works exactly the same as a variable resistor ) and that thread will help.
After an age of use, the swipe contact wears out the resistive wire inside and it also gets coated with varnishes.

It means you need to rewind your sender with a length of resitive wire (It's just around and around and around over a piece of bakelite), the wire is available from an instrument repairer. For me, it took 30 minutes once I had the sender on the table. You might also try giving it a light rub with some emery to clear away the varnish from the wire as well first.

Or get another one and hope it works, or get someone else to wind it for you.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Just a note, I have the same problem and have tried 3 sender units and get the same thing. It is most likely the voltage stabilizer. I just use this scale instead: half way = full, , less than half way = less than half way

All you really need to know is when you are about to run out of fuel...

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

The gauge wont move until you put petrol in there!

I retrospect, re-reading your initial post, it may just be your voltage stabiliser, is it linear in movement all the way down? ie. if a bit over halfway on the guage is full, does a bit over 1/4 on the guage mean it's half full etc?? If it does than try your stabliser.

If it's 1/4 full at 1/4 on the guage, then try the sender.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

i reckon the guage is fine. petrol is expensive, $20 is about half a tank...

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

Makes sense!

nah its like the slight bit that its over half is the first half of my tank... and doesnt really budge till it gets below that level... so basiaclly i have no first half of my tank guage.. lol
i gues ive got the important end...

Yeah as above then it's proll the top half of the sender's range

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

next time you go to fill up, keep going till the nozzle cuts out. this is about 3/4 full. you can get more in, depending on what fuel you use and the price at the time a full-from-empty tank can cost up to $35.

just be sure not to overfill it, becuase mini filler necks are prone to leaking and you will get runs donw the side of your car. and if it is painted in acrylic...

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

it did cut out... and i put a little bit more in there... i can see the fuel if i look in...