Amarok Fuel Sensor Issues Cause Stalling and False Readings

I had a very similar issue with my 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. I have some experience working on cars, mainly basic maintenance and troubleshooting electrical issues. The symptoms were nearly identical, erratic fuel gauge readings and stalling issues. After checking the fuel system with a diagnostic tool, it turned out the problem was actually a blown fuse connected to the fuel level sensor circuit. The faulty fuse was causing inconsistent readings and affecting the fuel pump operation. The fix was surprisingly simple and cost 52€ including diagnostic time. The workshop replaced the fuse and performed a quick system check to ensure the fuel sensor was functioning correctly. No need to replace the entire fuel pump assembly or tank components. However, your case might be different since car electronics can be tricky to diagnose. Could you share: Does the fuel gauge reading fluctuate while driving? Have you checked if the check engine light shows any specific fuel system related codes? When exactly does the stalling occur, only at idle or also while driving? Have you noticed any unusual sounds from the fuel tank area? This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if it might need a different approach.

Latest service was done at 111000km. The fuel gauge issue actually got worse after clearing the error codes. The car dashboard now shows completely unusual readings, jumping from full to empty while driving. I checked the fuses as suggested, but they all seem fine. The stalling happens mostly at idle, especially after the engine warms up. The workshop quoted 750€ for a complete fuel pump assembly replacement, which seems excessive. The main concern is whether the level sensor could be replaced separately, as accessing the fuel tank for repairs looks complicated in the service manual. The check engine light shows a P0463 code which points directly to the fuel level sensor circuit. No unusual sounds from the fuel tank area, but the erratic gauge behavior is consistent with a failing sensor rather than a pump issue. Has anyone tackled this repair with just the sensor replacement rather than the complete pump unit?

Thanks for providing those additional details. Your symptoms match exactly what I experienced with my Tiguan before getting it fixed. When my fuel level sensor started failing completely, I also got that same P0463 code and totally unusual car dashboard readings. The 750€ quote for a complete assembly is definitely on the high side. After my fuse replacement didnt solve the issue permanently, I found a workshop that replaced just the faulty sensor unit for about 320€ including labor. They had to drop the fuel tank partially, but it wasnt necessary to replace the entire pump assembly. Since both the fault code and symptoms clearly point to the level sensor, replacing just that component makes more sense. The erratic readings between full and empty are a classic sign of a bad sensor connection or failing sensor unit. The stalling issue is likely happening because the engine management system gets confused by the incorrect fuel level data. Based on what fixed my car, I would recommend: Get a second opinion from another workshop that has experience with VAG fuel system repairs, Request specifically to check if the level sensor can be replaced separately, Have them verify the wiring connection to the sensor while the tank is down The repair took about 3 hours in my case and solved both the gauge issues and stalling problems completely.

I appreciate all the detailed feedback about the sensor replacement options. After comparing my symptoms with similar cases, Im convinced its definitely the fuel level sensor rather than the complete pump assembly thats causing the issue. The stalling problem has gotten worse this week, with the fuel gauge now constantly fluctuating on the car dashboard. Given that the P0463 code specifically points to the fuel sensor circuit and everyone seems to have fixed similar issues with just the sensor replacement, Im going to look for another workshop that can do the targeted repair instead of replacing the entire fuel system. The 320€ repair cost mentioned sounds much more reasonable than the 750€ quote I received. Will contact a few more shops that specialize in fuel system repairs to compare prices for just replacing the sensor unit. Makes sense to have them check the wiring connections while they have access to the tank. Really helpful to hear about successful repairs that didnt require the complete pump assembly replacement. Will update once I get it fixed with the final repair details and cost.