Final answer:
The fuel pressure gauge measures the fuel pressure at the outlet of the fuel pump. It often utilizes a sender unit that translates fuel pressure into a voltage reading on the dashboard. An aneroid gauge, using a bellows-and-spring system, is a common type of automotive pressure gauge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component that measures fuel pressure at the outlet of the fuel pump is typically referred to as a fuel pressure gauge. This gauge is a type of pressure gauge specifically designed for fuel systems. In many vehicles, including the 1996 Volkswagen mentioned, the output of the fuel pump is monitored by a sender unit, which sends a voltage signal to the fuel gauge on the dashboard. This voltage signal is proportional to the fuel pressure, allowing the driver to monitor the pressure indirectly through the voltage reading.
It is important to note that the actual gauge measuring the fuel pressure could be an aneroid gauge, a common type in automotive applications which uses a bellows-and-spring mechanism to measure pressure changes. There are other types of pressure gauges, such as open-tube manometers, but these are not typically used for fuel pressure measurement in vehicles.
Differentiating between gauge pressure and absolute pressure is important. Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure and is what is commonly measured in automotive applications.