e36 Fuel gauge failure..is it common?

[ccl68]

Just curious...has anyone had their fuel gauge suddenly not showing any reading, except empty?I was surprise of this problem.First, I checked the fuse, then the connector & wire to the float & pump assembly at the Tank, under my rear seat. It was OK.The I went to Ah Keong at Jln Chan Sow Lin & dismantled the unit from the tank. I couldn't believe what I saw. A broken wire. How could that happen?I can only imagine that the consistent splashing of petrol slowly bend the wire till it broke, like bending a paper clip a few times!!Anyway, I was not willing to fit another unit, just becos of a wire.Pulled out the connector from the inside, used a fine saw & split the crimping zone, cleared the old wires with a scribber, strip the wire & recrimped it back, put everything back and 'Voila'A few words of caution, the reason why the mechanic dare not do it, is due to their fear of an electrical fire caused by a spark btw the wire & connector. Thought of sharing to other E36 owners.Cheers!

 

[samms]

ccl68, I've experienced this before. Not once but a few times.

First it happened just like yours.. Checked with my mechs and found a wire broken.. Get it soldered.. And it works fine for 6 months.. Then it broke again.. solder it for 2nd time and last for 2 weeks only... Go to my mechs again... this time I asked him make a proper soldering... It works until I discovered the gauge is no more accurate.. The tank is almost empty with the gauge shows the middle and I fill the tank for RM80.00 (max fill up using cc). After that I didn't trust my gauge anymore.. just depending on my trip counter for refuelling until I change my fuel pump...

Now.. no more problem...

 

[3er]

I owned an E36 for 7+ years and never had that problem. Sold the car since. But YMMV.

 

[Lee36328]

Originally posted by samms@May 14 2005, 06:49 PM
ccl68, I've experienced this before. Not once but a few times.

First it happened just like yours.. Checked with my mechs and found a wire broken.. Get it soldered.. And it works fine for 6 months.. Then it broke again.. solder it for 2nd time and last for 2 weeks only... Go to my mechs again... this time I asked him make a proper soldering... It works until I discovered the gauge is no more accurate.. The tank is almost empty with the gauge shows the middle and I fill the tank for RM80.00 (max fill up using cc). After that I didn't trust my gauge anymore.. just depending on my trip counter for refuelling until I change my fuel pump...

Now.. no more problem...

i'm not an electrical engineer, but i would guess that your last super-permanent soldering created an ultra low-resistance connection that totally screwed up the calibration of the electrical signal meant to convey the reading of the fuel gauge...

the fuel float likely sends an analogue signal to the fuel gauge, with the strength of the signal denoting the position of the float, thereby measuring the level of fuel in the tank.

the DIY soldering, in place of actually replacing the faulty unit, is likely to alter the resistance of the wiring... therefore, you'll screw up the accuracy of the fuel gauge...

expert sifu Jarance can comment much better...

 

[mack]

failure is common.

had mine changed... after that zooooom...

 

[ccl68]

Wonder if by replacing a new unit, will it fail at the connector, again?

 

[samms]

Originally posted by Lee36328@May 15 2005, 10:14 AM

i'm not an electrical engineers, but i would guess that your last super-permanent soldering created an ultra low-resistance connection that totally screwed up the calibration of the electrical signal meant to convey the reading of the fuel gauge...

the fuel float likely sends an analogue signal to the fuel gauge, with the strength of the signal denoting the position of the float, thereby measuring the level of fuel in the tank.

the DIY soldering, in place of actually replacing the faulty unit, is likely to alter the resistance of the wiring... therefore, you'll screw up the accuracy of the fuel gauge...

expert sifu Jarance can comment much better... [/quote]
Not sure about resistance.. too hi or to lo.. never recheck what my mechs did.. as long the give me waranty.. :yes:

 

[samms]

Originally posted by ccl68@May 16 2005, 12:57 PM
Wonder if by replacing a new unit, will it fail at the connector, again?

If parts or components never fail, how BMW want to make money.. there won't be any workshop left to do biznes.. boleh gulung tikar..

 

[noy_bimmer]

I just send to my mech in Ipoh to reconnect the wire. Solder and insulate properly. OK till now. It's been nearly two years now.

 

[jarance]

Originally posted by Lee36328+May 15 2005, 09:14 AM-->QUOTE (Lee36328 @ May 15 2005, 09:14 AM)

 

[ccl68]

To all,
I am really impress by the techical know-how of some of the memebrs.
This website ROCKS!!

Keep up the good work!

Cheers

 

[c-square]

yups.... Jarance is one of the McGyvers around

 

[flash]

Originally posted by ccl68@May 26 2005, 11:29 AM
To all,
I am really impress by the techical know-how of some of the memebrs.
This website ROCKS!!

Keep up the good work!

Cheers

That is how it should be. Members pull their knowledge and resources together to reduce the cost of owning a BMW.

 

[affan66]

on the same note, another group of forummers, who we call the Dark Side Group (Sith??) go and racun forummers on modding after the forummer saved money on things like the above. Hahahahaha