Rolland

I have a short video of the strange behavior of my 2003 A6's fuel gauge. About every three or four times I shut off the car, the needle goes from below "E" slowly clockwise to a 6:00 position, rests a few seconds, makes soft clicking sounds for a couple of seconds, then slowly cranks counterclockwise back the below "E." Two or three starts later, it suddenly comes to life, working as it should. Even with needle below "E" low fuel warning buzzer works normally. Never seen anything like it.

W261w261

This happens after you shut off the car, or after you start it? Was the clicking coming from the instruments?

Rolland

Ninety-five percent of the time it happens after I shut off the car, but twice it's happened while driving (car fully warmed up). The noise is a very soft ticking sound for about five seconds, after which you see the needle swing counterclockwise back to slightly below "E." It takes about five seconds for the need to go from the 6:00 position to slightly below "E." The weirdest part is that when it goes to E, it will stay there typically for between three and five start/stop cycles, then suddenly come to life and work as normal. I'm trying to determine if the problem is in the gauge cluster, or by some chance in the fuel sending unit in the gas tank. The low fuel alarm (screeching sound) seems to work properly and is irrespective of whether or not the gauge is registering. Very curious. Any help will be greatly appreciated.