Petrol indicator

[integramania]

Hi...hv always wanted to know if the petrol gauge indicator gauge fluctuation is a common thing? Petrol warning goes off but once u switch off the engine n turn it back on later the indicator jumps up to quarter tank to show there's fuel. Can happen several times. Is this normal. If yes then how do we tell exactly when it's actually low on fuel? To gauge the fc. Tx

 

[julianpang]

I am having the same problem. Mostly likely is the petrol tank floater giving way.

 

[huskar3399]

mine behaving the same. it was worse earlier but gradually getting better. no idea how. i hope it's not just my illusion. lol

 

[integramania]

Was guessing this is common. So do u guys fill every time u first see the light? Usually I do. But lately I tried to go further and still it was ok. Went like another 30kms

 

[Randy]

Was guessing this is common. So do u guys fill every time u first see the light? Usually I do. But lately I tried to go further and still it was ok. Went like another 30kms

Change the float or known as sender unit and it will fix the problem

 

[shaifuddin70]

change the float...

 

[Game-R]

I've never noticed any of my BMWs fuel gauges giving a higher reading immediately after switching off and restarting the car. However I have noticed that their gauges read higher after I have left the car overnight. I theorize that it's either the pressurized fuel is slowly flowing back into the tank from the pump and filter, or that the cold morning environment have caused some fuel vapour to condesnate back into the tank from the fuel vapour rebreather systems.

Some newer models have more than one sensor monitoring the tank, and they calculate an average to display on the gauge from all the sensors. There have been reports of inconsistent readings from these sensors that would give a optimistic readout on the gauge when the car is actually running out of fuel.

And there are many more theories abound : http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/57117-fuel-gauge-not-what-seems.html

 

[Randy]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HB32&mospid=47369&btnr=16_0190&hg=16&fg=05

 

[Randy]

View attachment 26077

This is the diagram

 

[deepblueE34]

I have 95 520 (local) and my fuel indicator fluctuates like nuts. It can be showing near empty and suddenly (but slowly) it is climbes to the second line in the indicator. Randy do you mean change this whole assembly? do you know if this can be found at half-cut or only new, how about price?

 

[smike]

I have 95 520 (local) and my fuel indicator fluctuates like nuts. It can be showing near empty and suddenly (but slowly) it is climbes to the second line in the indicator. Randy do you mean change this whole assembly? do you know if this can be found at half-cut or only new, how about price?

To all of you who are having problem with the petrol indicator out there especially for E34, I had the same problem. It is the floater issue. Old and worn off. Therefore time to replace. yes you can get second hand from chop shop, no problem or a new one better off. better to replace this asap, so that you have dont have to guess all the time about your petrol balance in the tank. :cheers:

 

[haywire]

I've never noticed any of my BMWs fuel gauges giving a higher reading immediately after switching off and restarting the car. However I have noticed that their gauges read higher after I have left the car overnight. I theorize that it's either the pressurized fuel is slowly flowing back into the tank from the pump and filter, or that the cold morning environment have caused some fuel vapour to condesnate back into the tank from the fuel vapour rebreather systems.

Some newer models have more than one sensor monitoring the tank, and they calculate an average to display on the gauge from all the sensors. There have been reports of inconsistent readings from these sensors that would give a optimistic readout on the gauge when the car is actually running out of fuel.

And there are many more theories abound : http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/57117-fuel-gauge-not-what-seems.html

There are two sensors as there are two tanks in the E39. Not sure if the E34 is the same.

The sensor does not calculate an average, it calculates the total as its two different tanks. One 35L and one 30L on the E39, with a 5L reserve somewhere.

 

[GlueBall]

'89 E34 525i ...I always zero the trip odometer when filling the tank, as a back-up in case fuel tank guage goes on vacation. This way I will know when the tank would be getting close to empty after 450km or so. The last thing that I want to do is to run this old dame out of gas.

 

[integramania]

Bro how much do you usually pump to get the 450km? Around RM110 - 120?

 

[Sesler88]

Im looking for fuel floater/level sensor for e34..

 

[sharizat]

looking for E46 floater.. having problem with mine. it shows 1 bar left but minyak finish and car stranded. so im guessing its the floater at the driver side as it has 2 floater. am i right to all sifu"s out there? planing to buy from chop shop and DIY my self.. but this is just for double confirming

 

[maxion89]

Well look like all e34 owner had the same problem. Mine also same, when start the engine in the morning the Petrol Indicator show at line 20 in our indicator. Our e34 indicator full tank will be 80 Liters right. Because there is a line show 20,40,60, and 80. So I always do some experiment how far the car can go for the Full Tank. So I test it by Refuel until Full that is RM 150 - 80 Liters. If you calculate by rate of fuel, RM 1.90 / Liters. RM 150 / 80 = RM 1.875 or RM 1.90. So I try to use the car to seehow far the car can go.Then I can reach until 400+KM For full tank. I dunno the right measure because I never let the car cant move anymore (fuel dry habis). So I try to refuel for RM 30 every time, so I know how far the car can go. if you divide RM 30 / RM 1.9/Liters = 15.7894 L or 15.8 L. So with this I can go for 100+KM. So every time I refuel I reset the KM indicator so I know how far I can go with only RM 30. There is red line on the Petrol Indicator, When the needle is on the red line, prepare to refuel again. Maybe if I got time I do some experiment by let the car fuel dry habis then refuel RM 30, then let it dry again and get the right measure. chears.

 

[TCNG]

I just change my petrol float due to above reason and also some slight crack on the rubber seal (can smell petrol once fill up full tank). Cost around rm 680 all in (parts and labour - new float).

 

[anakin]

I just change my petrol float due to above reason and also some slight crack on the rubber seal (can smell petrol once fill up full tank). Cost around rm 680 all in (parts and labour - new float).

Now your meter(indicator) reading well?