E60 M5 reading empty with full tank of gas

[Deezal 18]

Hi guys, I believe I have diagnosed the issue but I thought I would document it so it is available for others to refer to in the future.

Using this resource I looked up the fuel readings in the left and right tanks and the reading for the right tank was displaying asterisk's instead of a value so I believe the right level fuel sensor is the cause and am in the midst of sourcing one from the US.

http://www.scoopz.com/m5board/E60_Hidden_OBC_Instructions.pdf

Edited September 28, 2015 by Deezal

[aja540i 1906]

I thought empty was just the natural state for the fuel gauge in these!

[Deezal 18]

You're not wrong, it's a little bit depressing at times trying to work out how it's empty already. Your wagon will be even worse again...

[aja540i 1906]

Its a brilliant machine for turning petrol into noise and smiles

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

^ Truth.

[Michael. 2313]

For fuel gauge errors, Ethanol blended fuels typically cause such issues where the gauge is suited to read the level of regular petrol blends.

Depends on the gauge type though, are E39s using floats or rods for the level?

[Deezal 18]

I am running 10% ethanol in it as it's tuned for 98 and we don't have any down here. I had considered that may be an issue but most high octane fuel in the states is an ethanol blend and they aren't having too many problems with them over there. Plus it's only had a few tanks put through it.

[Deezal 18]

New sensor arrived today from the US, installed it and now the distance to empty is reading correctly again. Problem solved

Installation was a bit of nuisance as the lid on top of the fuel pump was very tight and you have limited working room.