Alfa 147 Fuel Gauge Issues Lead to Engine Stalling

Having some experience with car electronics, I dealt with a similar issue on my 2004 Alfa 156 petrol. The symptoms were nearly identical, incorrect fuel gauge readings and stalling issues. After checking the fuel system thoroughly, my mechanic found a blown fuse connected to the fuel sensor circuit. The faulty sensor was drawing too much current, which caused the fuse to blow. This created erratic readings and affected the engine management system. The fix was straightforward, replacing the fuse and the faulty sensor restored normal operation. Total cost was 52 Euro for parts and labor. The repair completely resolved both the gauge issues and the stalling problem. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Does the gauge show unusual readings or is it stuck? When did the symptoms first appear? Have you recently filled up with fuel from a different station? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the fuel sensor fault.

Last service done at 102259 KM. I got my car back from the garage yesterday with the same diagnosis. They found the fuel tank sensor was completely dead, causing both the gauge malfunction and engine issues. The level sensor replacement plus labor came to 180 Euro. They also cleaned the entire fuel system while they were at it. Car runs perfectly now, no more stalling and the fuel gauge works as it should. This seems to be a common fault with these models. The fuel level sensor tends to fail gradually, first giving incorrect readings before completely dying. Getting it fixed early can prevent the engine management issues I experienced. Might be worth checking if theres a recall or technical service bulletin for your specific production date, as some cars got an updated sensor design.

Thanks for the update about your Alfa 147. It matches exactly what happened with my 156, these fuel level sensors are definitely a weak point across the Alfa range from that era. The 180 Euro repair cost is pretty standard. My initial repair with just the sensor and fuse was cheaper, but I ended up needing a full fuel system cleaning a few months later, which brought the total close to what you paid. The faulty sensor symptoms are so similar across these models, it starts with incorrect fuel gauge readings, then progresses to engine management issues. The car electronics get confused by the bad signals from the sensor, leading to those stalling problems. I checked about the recall you mentioned, my car actually got the updated sensor design during this repair. The new part has better corrosion resistance and improved wiring connections. Its been working flawlessly for over 50000km now. Good call on getting it fixed quickly. When these sensors completely fail, they can sometimes damage other components in the fuel tank assembly, making repairs much more expensive.

Thanks everyone for the helpful input. After seeing these responses, I feel much better about the repair cost and outcome. The total price of 180 Euro for the fuel level sensor replacement and system cleaning seems fair, especially considering the comprehensive fix it provided. The stalling issues and incorrect fuel gauge readings were quite worrying, but its reassuring to know this is a known problem with a straightforward solution. The car sensor replacement has completely resolved both problems. Interesting to hear about the updated design being more durable. I checked with my garage and they confirmed using the newer version fuel tank sensor, so hopefully this will prevent any repeat issues. For anyone else facing similar problems with these models, dont wait too long to get it checked. The early symptoms of erratic fuel gauge behavior can quickly develop into more serious engine management issues. The car electronics really dont cope well with faulty sensor signals. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. The forums knowledge has helped confirm I made the right call getting this fixed promptly.