Fuel Gauge with intermittent readings.

[Sarge3515]

A few months ago I had to replace to the fuel pump/sender on our 2003 330xi. Right afterwards the fuel gauge would not read correctly, so I replaced the sender on the drivers side. Same problem.

I just filled up and using the diagnostics menu I am getting these values:

Menu option 6.0 : 95300
Menu option 6.1 : 395
Menu option 6.2 : 264

Any thoughts? Could it be the gauge which was working prior to pump failure.

Thanks

[Sarge3515]

A few months ago I had to replace to the fuel pump/sender on our 2003 330xi. Right afterwards the fuel gauge would not read correctly, so I replaced the sender on the drivers side. Same problem.

I just filled up and using the diagnostics menu I am getting these values:

Menu option 6.0 : 95300
Menu option 6.1 : 395
Menu option 6.2 : 264

Any thoughts? Could it be the gauge which was working prior to pump failure.

Thanks

By the way gauge is reading 1/2 right now.

[All2kool]

This happened to me too - and it was because the float came off the track just enough to cause it to read incorrectly. I removed the pump and freed the float but it happened again a year later on a 1/4 tank. Inexpensive Fuel Pumps are just that - inexpensive.

[Sarge3515]

Yeah, I thought about that also. Might just keep using the trip odometer.

Thanks for the reply.

[All2kool]

Yeah, I thought about that also. Might just keep using the trip odometer.

Thanks for the reply.

After I filled the tank, the gauge went to just a bit above half. In the week since, its crept to the full level. As I said, I know why it's doing this and when I get to a 1/2 tank, I'll remove the assembly. I'm thinking I'll take the pump that is in now and put it into the original assembly, which has no issue with the float sticking.

[resunoiz]

I had a similar issue. My solution was totally filling the car tank 5+ times, the fuel gauge started to read again. Maybe because of some misalignment as said, maybe of some rust, maybe...I don't know.

After that periodo of "uncertain", it happened once a time in a year.

[All2kool]

...maybe of some rust, maybe...I don't know.

The Fuel Pump metal parts will not rust. The factory installed pump (135k miles) I removed was still working fine albeit the plastic was discolored. I replaced it as preventative maintenance and there was not a speck of rust on it.

[Mless5]

I had a cheap made in China pump in my zhp when I bought it that would show weird levels all the time. Swapped in the arm and a track in from a VDO unit and it's been showing very accurate data ever since. Of course a I carry a brand new spare in the trunk just in case.