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PixelBarnX5 11-23-2022 08:52 AM

Optimistic Fuel Gauge problems...
 
Hi all,

Got a weird issue with my E53 3.0D.

I bought it about a year ago and my usual fuel cycle is just fill and empty, never put small amounts in.

When the gearbox failed back in May it had about a 1/3rd a tank in it and during my driving about with three gears to various diagnosis places it pretty much ran out. Also worth noting that in the last few months the battery has gone totally flat at least three times.

So Sunday evening I was driving home from having changed the gearbox, all was well, fuel gauge shows just under 1/4 tank and the iBus App on my android head unit was showing 24L fuel level - approx 1/4 a tank, maybe a little more (93L tank I believe?). Driving along quite happily, went to try the kickdown and got a 'Fuel Inject System' error on the dash followed by the engine shutting down.

My mate was convinced it was fuel, so went to petrol station, got 10L of diesel, re-primed it and off it went. Put a little more fuel in it just to make sure it was actually running OK and went about my business.

Yesterday I pulled up at the pump with 42L showing on the screen, but then managed to fit 60L in the car. Therefore it appears I have approximately a minus 10L discrepancy between the readout and reality. (if the tank is actually 93L as I've read everywhere). Also, the fuel gauge and the digital readout did not move until I'd done approx 25 miles...

So what can cause this? Is there something that can be recalibrated (I have INPA and ISTA), or is it a dodgy sender / sensor? As iBus gets it's info from the Canbus I suspect it's a sensor issue but not sure where to start...

Any help is appreciated :thumbup:

Clavurion 11-23-2022 12:14 PM

Did you check the fuel levels from the cluster hidden menu?

If the in tank pump fails engine will work normally if there is fuel on the right (pump side) of the tank because suction from inline fuel pump is enough. But the fuel transfer from left to right doesn't work normally so the pump side will be drained prematurely.

PixelBarnX5 11-23-2022 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clavurion (Post 1225872)
Did you check the fuel levels from the cluster hidden menu?

If the in tank pump fails engine will work normally if there is fuel on the right (pump side) of the tank because suction from inline fuel pump is enough. But the fuel transfer from left to right doesn't work normally so the pump side will be drained prematurely.

That makes a lot of sense...

So as it happens I was out at the car anyway when I saw this. So I found the secret menu (forgot about that from my old BMW days) and interestingly the IKE screen says 76L at time of writing when the iBus App says 84L and the analog dial has barely moved from the full marker.

So something, somewhere isn't talking correct numbers.

However, the failed fuel pump thing would make a lot of sense. As it happens my local scrap yard has an E53 diesel in at the moment so will see what I can scavenge.

Clavurion 11-23-2022 01:00 PM

Remove the rear seat base and listen if the in tank pump is working when you turn ignition on or drive it with direct voltage.

PixelBarnX5 11-23-2022 01:01 PM

I will try that tomorrow. You can hear a fuel pump prime from outside the car when you turn the ignition on. But that could be the inline pump...

Will report back.

Clavurion 11-23-2022 04:54 PM

Yes. Inline pump is better heard from the outside and quite near there but on left side.


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