Help: E36 petrol gauge trouble

[topnotchrally 106]

I have 2 x1997 318i's A few months ago the petrol gauge on one stopped working, showed empty all the them, then after a few weeks started to either show empty or some random reading from time to time. I've haven't had a chance to look at fixing it yet. Yesterday the gauge on my other 318i did the same thing! Just driving along and bang, it starts showing empty.

Can someone point me in the right direction as to a solution?

Thanks,

JS

[*Glenn* 854]

It'll be a broken wire on the fuel tank sender unit inside the petrol tank.

Where are you located ?

[topnotchrally 106]

It'll be a broken wire on the fuel tank sender unit inside the petrol tank.

Where are you located ?

Is the a common fault or am I just very (un)lucky? Is it difficult to get to the sender? Do I have to remove the tank?

I'm in Hamilton/Raglan.

Cheers,

JS

[*Glenn* 854]

A common fault. You get to the sender unit under the rear seat, drivers side. There's a DIY on here somewhere

[topnotchrally 106]

I had a look and can see how to remove the sender unit.

Can the wire/sender be repaired or do I have to buy a new one (*yike$*)

There is a sender on both sides. Is there a reason you think it's the right side one? Is it the one that usually fails?

Thanks,

James

A common fault. You get to the sender unit under the rear seat, drivers side. There's a DIY on here somewhere

[*Glenn* 854]

PM'd

I can fix it today or tomorrow if you like... ring me

Edited November 4, 2012 by *Glenn*

[topnotchrally 106]

UPDATE: I popped off the seat and cover plate (very easy!) and had a look at the sender on the right side (with fuel pump). I pulled the connector off the send and measured the reisistance... open circuit... so that's the problem.

I shorted the connector with piece of wire. The gauge works again. Half is full and it goes down from there. Will see about fixing it in the near future. May get a used one or try to repair the exisiting one.