Fuel gauge not working etc.

[JPalm]

ghead My father and I purchasd our first BMW about 3 months ago, a '96 328i convt, all was good until about a week ago. The fuel gauge stopped working, we are both very handy with cars and can fix this yourselfs. Before troubleshooting yourselfs, I wanted to ask you guys a few Questions. Has anyone had this porblem, is it common one with this model and how to fix? Also the Airbag light keeps coming on, tried to clear the code but it keeps on. Need some good advise, we are car guys but BMW's are very new to us. Thanks, Mpalm.

[kestrel325is]

If you tap the dash, does it start working again?
If so, the instrument cluster might be going out.
If not, there are 2 fuel sender units in the car, and the likely culprit is the drivers' side unit.

[Rainman]

I have a 96 328 Convertible and have also had some problems with the fuel gauge. The problem I have experienced is after I fill the tank up completely the fuel gauge then fails to move at all and the low on fuel light comes on. This has been an intermittnt problem.

I did read somewhere that if you fill up with the key in the ignition, and turned to postition # 2, I think, that this could cause the problem. And come to think about it I did fill up with the key on, and that's when the problem started. It has not happened for a couple of weeks now, so I am going to wait and see. But as Kestrel said, the most likely cause is the sender unit. Let us know what you find out. Reed.

[JPalm]

Installing a driver side new sending unit tomorrow, I'll post later, to let all you know how it works. Also doing a complete brake job and tune up on the car, plugs, fuel filter, oil change, etc. Later.

[ghettozn]

Yeah, man posts up some pics on how you fixed it Because my fuel gauge only goes up half way then stops, even when at full gas, but it catchs up when i'm low fuel.

[bigred318]

umm i had the same problem and i fixed it with a 5 cent fuse, read up in your manual there will be 3 fuses that control your gas tach speedo temp etc, if one two or three fails they can take out one or all of these guages thats what i would do first!

David

[tico481]

I had that same problem after I filled my gas tank up, but this only happened after I held the odometer button in while turning the key to position 2 for 5 seconds. What I did to fix this was filled up my tank, then held the odoemeter button in and turned the car on but didnt crank it up and the dash will seem like its going crazy for a minute then go back to normal. Try that out and tell me if it works.

[bigred318]

Originally posted by tico481@Jul 19 2004, 11:59 PM
I had that same problem after I filled my gas tank up, but this only happened after I held the odometer button in while turning the key to position 2 for 5 seconds. What I did to fix this was filled up my tank, then held the odoemeter button in and turned the car on but didnt crank it up and the dash will seem like its going crazy for a minute then go back to normal. Try that out and tell me if it works.

awqwww yes ive heard of this too! and from what i hear the dash does go crazy so try that too!

David