fuel problem

Hi All

I have this problem on my Y (2001) Astra Estate.

When i get to apx 1/4 of tank of fuel left, evey so often, when say i stop
on a straight road, turn engine off, go in the shop get back in the car and
start up again the fuel tank says its empty and the petrol light comes on.
This also happens when parked up at night etc.

It dosnt allways do it. I can drive for say 10 mins or more and the fuel
light will stay on empty and the needle on empty wont budge, even though i
know i got 1/4 tank in. If then say i turn engine off for a few mins then
back on if i am lucky it will read 1/4 tank again.

Its been into Vauxhall garage, as its under there warranty, at first they
replaced the dashboard gadges, and that did not cure it, now they say most
Astra Estates do it its a common fault !, so i said whats the fix, they
said, there isnt one ! so i said well if its a common fault there must be
something you can do you would have a lot of complaints they said they havnt
! They said they will speak to Vauxhall main centre to see what they say,
but can anyone advise if they have seen this fault before and what causes it
?

Thanks

 

Mine (02 Astra estate) is the same when nearly empty - its just a bit
pessimistic thats all. Settles down after a few minutes and the light goes
out as the gauge creeps up.. Happens when down to about 1/4 tank, and more
so if I am parked on a slope.

I've just got used to it, it isn't really a problem as such.

 

Once i start up and it says empty and the light comes on it stays that way
till i turn the engine off, in the past i have driven 15 or mins more after
this and still says empty when i knew when i parked up i had 1/4 tank in it,
then i can switch off for a few mins and back on again and it will show 1/4
tank, anything slighty above 1/4 tank always stays as it should. There is
no fuel leak either.

 

I have a new Zafira which does the same thing. It is going in for a service
in november so will report it then. I do not trust the fuel guage below a
quarter of a tank.

 

I don't have an Astra but think I know what is happening here....
When you park up at night the engine is already warm and using less fuel
than when parked up from cold...
The computer in my car shows less range when started 1st thing in the
morning than when the car is warm and driving at a steady speed, as it is
measured against fuel in the tank and average fuel consumption, I think
there maybe elements of the computer function fitted on your vehicle even
though the full computor functions may not be available...

 

That sounds reasonable - my journey is onto the motorway normally, and the
light goes-off once fully-warmed up which does not take long. If I go the
other way (into town) it takes a while longer, and may not go out until
maybe 20 mins or so of driving, especially on a cold day.