Gas guage reads low near empty

[mferek]

I used to have a Nissan 350z, and those things commonly developed inaccurate gas gauges (mine included). Usually the problem boiled down to dirty contacts on the fuel level sender. To fix it, you could just take the sender out, wipe off the contacts with a Q-tip, and stick it back in. I did that and it fixed the problem for me. Seems like it's worth a shot since it doesn't cost anything.

[srmmmm]

My fuel gage would drop at twice the rate of consumption. After a restart, the fuel level would display correctly, but as I drove it would start to drop twice as fast again. The computer information in the dash display was always correct though as far as consumption was concerned, but the range was way off. It required a new right side sending unit to correct it.

2002 X5 3.0 259,650 miles
2004 325i 115,000 miles

[e30cabrio]

Thanks guys, just ordered from MyBimmerparts, 281.25 shipped, I found it from BMW of Minnetonka on eBay for 279.13 but have not dealt with them & figured for under 2 bucks it was better to use a dealer I know.

Any tips on the R&R?

[e30cabrio]

I have been driving in test 6 for a week (almost) and at full it goes from 87l to 77l total with the fluctuation in teh right sensor accounting for all of it.

I'm guessing the diagnosis was correct.

The part will be here today. It has been either 111 or 95 7 80% humidity. Both too unpleasant for a non emergency repair.

[e30cabrio]

Pump came.

[jsoto]

It's pretty straightforward.

Remove the bottom rear bench.
Need the flats of a screwdriver to remove it.....not sure how much the ~special tool~ is to remove it.

Remove and replace.
Obviously less messy with a empty tank.

[e30cabrio]

Thanks

[e30cabrio]

Pump is in. It was easy & I would have been pissed if I spent 80 bucks on the retaining ring removal "tool".

Immediately the gauge that had been at just over 1/8, with the light on & the display showing 38 miles remaining went to just under 1/4 with 53 miles remaining, no light.

[e30cabrio]

Issue is back, on steroids. Error is still right sensor, now the tank reads empty with 50 miles on a 20 gallon fill up from 1/4. WTF???

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

I rarely let the tank go below 1/4 but it has been odd when it is.

Today it was just below 1/4, showing 63 miles range & then the light came on, the gauge was at E & magically in no time (sitting at a red light) it showed 4 miles range. As I drove the needle did not move but the range went up to 10. I filled up (23.2 gallons and the range went to 310 (normally after a fill up I get 360-390)

I scanned and got this:



What needs to be replaced?

Well according to your scan the fault is no longer present. Could be you were just low on gas.