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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Fuel Gauge / Level Sensor Failure
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      07-26-2016, 05:34 PM   #1
dbs600
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Fuel Gauge / Level Sensor Failure

Filled up on fuel last night and the gauge showed full.

Started the car this morning and saw a meager ¼ tank.

Car was calling for fuel by end of day, but took only $10 worth.

Interestingly, the gauge had been going down throughout the day, but after fill-up it didn’t move from empty.

I now must keep track of my miles and fill up every 200 miles or so, to be safe.

Any way this may resolve itself or anything minor I can do in lieu of dealer visit?

Thanks. :|
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      07-30-2016, 10:44 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbs600
Filled up on fuel last night and the gauge showed full.

Started the car this morning and saw a meager ¼ tank.

Car was calling for fuel by end of day, but took only $10 worth.

Interestingly, the gauge had been going down throughout the day, but after fill-up it didn’t move from empty.

I now must keep track of my miles and fill up every 200 miles or so, to be safe.

Any way this may resolve itself or anything minor I can do in lieu of dealer visit?

Thanks. :|
If you want to resolve, try exercising the float. (Assuming it still uses a float and not some other electronic gizmo.)

1. Fill it up.
2. Keep track of miles and allow to get as low as you're wiling to gamble.
3. Fill up.
4. Repeat.

This will move the float from its highest to lowest position. This will ensure it can still move slowly from highest to lowest position.

You may want to have access to a few gallons of gas in case your gauge reports the wrong amount and you run out of fuel. For Heaven's sakes---don't go riding around with a gas can in your trunk that dangerous during even fender benders.
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      07-30-2016, 11:05 AM   #3
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Thanks for this insight!

I tried going through a tank, but gauge stayed on empty.

Dealer now states my car needs a new tank! :|

Thankfully, I have an extended warranty.

Insane the whole tanks needs replacement.

I also learned the tank drops from the bottom of the car.

Thank you again!
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      07-30-2016, 02:32 PM   #4
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The fuel level sensors on these cars are like most other modern BMW's, a float attached to a swing arm that rides a brush on a carbon track. It has a 90 degree swing or so.

It is a $100 part, it clips to the fuel pump housing, and it isn't that hard to replace.

If the brush or track are damaged they can give an erroneous reading.
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      07-30-2016, 02:57 PM   #5
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Thanks for this as well!

I was told the driver's side sensor in the tank went bad, which is inaccessible, unlike that of the passenger side.

So tank replacement, which is a bit obscene.
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      07-30-2016, 08:36 PM   #6
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And chance that it is vapor lock? Can you drive for a another day or 2 and fill up again?
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      07-30-2016, 08:49 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbs600 View Post
Thanks for this as well!

I was told the driver's side sensor in the tank went bad, which is inaccessible, unlike that of the passenger side.

So tank replacement, which is a bit obscene.
I'm not aware of a second sensor on the drivers side embedded inside the tank..... if there is no access to it where is the electrical connection?
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      07-31-2016, 10:06 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alcenos View Post
And chance that it is vapor lock? Can you drive for a another day or 2 and fill up again?
Car already at dealer. :|

Thank you, though!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stück View Post
I'm not aware of a second sensor on the drivers side embedded inside the tank..... if there is no access to it where is the electrical connection?
Not sure, but what I'm told.

Left and right sensors; only right being serviceable.
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