Lost my fuel gauge reading...

[bimmerman]

I usually drive till the orange light in the fuel gauge lights up then I go for another full tank.Yesterday I went for a full tank and guess what? Fuel gauge shows empty. So I went back to the gas station thinking there was something wrong with the pump and tried to pump in more fuel but it stopped at around 2 bucks.So there I was with a full tank and an empty reading on the gauge. Not knowing if it was a wiring problem, fuel gauge problem or that darn float in the tank.Then this morning I statted the car and the gauge showed 1/4 tank. Was planning to go buy a new float in the evening and do a DIY later but guess what. When I left my office this evening, it was showing a full tank.What do you guys think? Stuck float? Bad gauge? Fawlty wiring? :dunno:

 

[affan66]

try to remove your batt for 10 minutes. reconnect and see if the gauge works. I get this problem once in a while.

When your gauge read empty, did the orange light come up?
If yes, could be your float.
If no, could be a false reading somewhere due to wiring/electrical.

My mech also checked the fuel pump fuse as well just to be sure.

 

[dvng]

Originally posted by affan66@Jan 25 2006, 12:05 AM
try to remove your batt for 10 minutes. reconnect and see if the gauge works. I get this problem once in a while.

When your gauge read empty, did the orange light come up?
If yes, could be your float.
If no, could be a false reading somewhere due to wiring/electrical.

My mech also checked the fuel pump fuse as well just to be sure.

dont fret,..remove drivers side fuel pump and check sender wire..it must have dislodge itself..if you are good with the soldering iron..resolder loosed wire and everything will be back to norm

 

[bimmerman]

The orange indicator does not light up when the gauge shows empty. The electronic sender in the boot seems in place and locked down too.

Strangely enough though everything is back to normal without any intervention.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

 

[jarance]

you have a almost broken wire in the fuel guage. Hence it will come
in intermittenly.

For an e36, there are two fuel level sensors. I am not about yours.

If one of the wires is broken, the fuel guage will shows empty
because both of the fuel level sensore are wired in series.

Most of the problem of the loose wire is cause by the wire
becoming loose when the stopper or damper for the fuel pump
become brittle and break. This will caused the fuel pump to become
"lowered" and start to pull the fuel sensor cable and cause it
to become loose from it terminal whenever your car goes over a
bump.

To rectify, check the resistance of each fuel sensor. the resistance
should be about 10 to 150 ohms depending on the amount of fuel
in the tank. if you have two fuel sensors, the resistance should be
about the same for each sensor.

Note. The fuel sensors are located under the rear seat.

When you found or determine the faulty sensor, you can dismantle
or remove the fuel sensor. check for loose wire by trying to pull the
wires. or if you have an ohmmeter, check the resistance from the
fuel sensor to the terminal.

You can replaced the faulty wire by cutting the affect wire and reconnect
with a slightly longer wire by soldering.

ps.. make sure that you use wire that have insulation sheath that
is resistance to petrol.

 

[JuanCarlos]

Thank you guys for the info..

i'm having the same difficulties and i'm about to referring this to the workshop but i decided to look at this forum..

i drive an e36 and i think this is a great info.

Many thanks!!
:yes: