Gas Sending Unit faults -Help!

[taosx5]

Originally Posted by upallnight

You can read this poster problem and solution:

Bimmerfest - BMW Forums - View Single Post - Fuel Gauge/Tank problems

The entire post starts here:

Fuel Gauge/Tank problems - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Thanks Upallnight, this is all helpful. We just did a quick road trip. Did about 200 miles and the gauge was sticking on about 1/4 tank showing about 100 miles on the range. I decided to fill it up and see what happened. It took about 9 gallons and the gauge stuck on 1/4 tank. Drove about 40 miles, the gauge dropped to about 1/8 tank and the low fuel light came on. The range said 49 miles (that is pretty normal to have about 50 miles when the light comes on). We got to about 100 miles and the range got down to 0 with the low fuel light on the entire time. After about a mile the range went blank with 3 dashes across the screen.

I suspect it hast to be the sending units on both sides but am I missing something else? I did put a bottle of Techron in and will see if that helps. anyone else ever have this happen and know what the fix might be. I don't want to just start throwing parts at it.

[Ricky Bobby]

Its the fuel sender, this happened to another poster recently, not a bad fix, and very easy DIY, however I think its $250 or so for the part IIRC

EDIT: $250 is for the fuel pump, not sure if that price includes the sender unit

[cn90]

I'd put 2 Techron bottles per gas tank.

Keep adding Techron for 2-3 weeks and see what happens.

Patience is a virtue.

[taosx5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Its the fuel sender, this happened to another poster recently, not a bad fix, and very easy DIY, however I think its $250 or so for the part IIRC

EDIT: $250 is for the fuel pump, not sure if that price includes the sender unit

Thanks Ricky Bobby, now when you say fuel sender are you talking about the sending units? I understand there are two one on each side of the tank. Can you confirm or am I missing something? Do you know part #? Thanks in advance for your help.

[taosx5]

Originally Posted by cn90

I'd put 2 Techron bottles per gas tank.

Keep adding Techron for 2-3 weeks and see what happens.

Patience is a virtue.

I can try this cuz I might not have time to mess with in the next few weeks. At least it is running great.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by taosx5

Thanks Ricky Bobby, now when you say fuel sender are you talking about the sending units? I understand there are two one on each side of the tank. Can you confirm or am I missing something? Do you know part #? Thanks in advance for your help.

You should put your year/engine model info in your sig so i can send you a RealOEM link. I'm still trying to find the thread with the guy who had a similar problem as you and had to replace the sensor. I know the whole fuel pump assembly is approx $250 but I'm not sure if that includes a new sender or not

Try a couple bottles of Techron first for $20 to see if it helps. Use the 20 oz bottles, not the 12 oz. And btw, the Chevron "Pro-Gard" is NOT the same as Techron, although the bottles look similar.

[cn90]

Originally Posted by taosx5

I can try this cuz I might not have time to mess with in the next few weeks. At least it is running great.

1+,

Keep doing the Techron thing.

I used to have a Honda Accord with bad fuel gauge (the car ran great).
I used the odometer as my "fuel gauge", so every 250 miles or so, I filled it up.
Zero issues until the car was sold to junk yard at 300K miles LOL.

So, relax a bit and do the Techron thing.

PS: some people clean the sending units (in stead of buying new)...

How to clean fuel tank sending unit

Fuel level sender issue help plz - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[cn90]

Couple more things...
Fuel sending units can fail in 2 ways:

1. Sticky float: this is the case where Techron should help.

2. Bad resistor: where the resistor (basically a whole bunch of copper windings) goes bad. In this case, you need a new unit.

[taosx5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

You should put your year/engine model info in your sig so i can send you a RealOEM link. I'm still trying to find the thread with the guy who had a similar problem as you and had to replace the sensor. I know the whole fuel pump assembly is approx $250 but I'm not sure if that includes a new sender or not

Try a couple bottles of Techron first for $20 to see if it helps. Use the 20 oz bottles, not the 12 oz. And btw, the Chevron "Pro-Gard" is NOT the same as Techron, although the bottles look similar.

This vehicle is an 03 X5 4.4 with 151K miles on the clock. Owned since new. All maintenance done at dealer thru Warranty then I and an independent have done it since. Have not had a lot of issues with this X5. It has actually been one of the best vehicles we've ever owed. Had to put in a couple of CV axles, replaced the usual suspects like coolant expansion reservoir, steering knuckle, OBC pixel replacement, one window regulator, and a few other minor things.

I also have an 03 X5 4.6is that has 125K miles on the clock. Now that vehicle has definitely been more expensive to maintain. People always freak out when I tell them it is 12 years old. She looks and runs like new and is a blast to drive.

Of the over 40 vehicle I have owned 5 have been BMWs. I had a 1973 Bavaria, 1997 840, an 03 M3, and now the two X5s. I know what is involved in owning these ultimate driving machines. Been thinking of getting rid of both and trading up to something else.......

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by taosx5

This vehicle is an 03 X5 4.4 with 151K miles on the clock. Owned since new. All maintenance done at dealer thru Warranty then I and an independent have done it since. Have not had a lot of issues with this X5. It has actually been one of the best vehicles we've ever owed. Had to put in a couple of CV axles, replaced the usual suspects like coolant expansion reservoir, steering knuckle, OBC pixel replacement, one window regulator, and a few other minor things.

I also have an 03 X5 4.6is that has 125K miles on the clock. Now that vehicle has definitely been more expensive to maintain. People always freak out when I tell them it is 12 years old. She looks and runs like new and is a blast to drive.

Of the over 40 vehicle I have owned 5 have been BMWs. I had a 1973 Bavaria, 1997 840, an 03 M3, and now the two X5s. I know what is involved in owning these ultimate driving machines. Been thinking of getting rid of both and trading up to something else.......