fuel gauge

[D605]

hi,

my 350i dash board fuel gauge needle flies across to the fall mark and back again as if it is getting a surge of current.

any ideas what is causing this and where i start looking first

Regards Tony

[grahamw48]

Below half full, I'd say they all do that sir.

Reminds me...must fill the can in the boot.

I've never actually run out though.

[Cadster]

Mine is fairly accurate in that it shows to the nearest quarter tank but the needle still flashes from side to side just one of those quirks

[D605]

yes mind does the same when moving but this is happening when the car is stationery.

Regards Tony

[grahamw48]

You either have a tiger in your tank...trying to get out, or maybe an earthing problem ?

[jon haines]

i had exactly same problem with mine had gauge checked and it was faulty, got a second hand gauge from scrapper and works fine.got from douglas valley who advertise in classifieds. cost me £50 which i thought was steap, that was 6 weeks ago.i am looking to find someone who repairs as i do recall having a gauge from an mgb repaired years ago.

[tempus]

Does it do it with just the ignition switched on or only when the engine is running?Tempus

[NTEL]

If I fill mine to the brim, the gauge only registers 3/4. After two or three laps the needle just dives to empty and stays there Not sure if its the sender (which looks like an absolute bh of a job to change) or the gauge. Checked all the wiring connections and they seem OK.

[Henry Harris]

On my car, there are two tanks with separate breather tubes. It takes patience to fill the tanks through the single filler to the top. As the fuel is used, the fuel gauge does not move linearly. When the gauge registers less than a quarter full standing stationary on a flat surface, it is time to fill-up.

[D605]

hi,

it's when the engine is running,

Regards Tony

[Trickie Dickie]

NTEL said:

If I fill mine to the brim, the gauge only registers 3/4. After two or three laps the needle just dives to empty and stays there Not sure if its the sender (which looks like an absolute bh of a job to change) or the gauge. Checked all the wiring connections and they seem OK.

Mines just the same Dave

Must have been from the same batch

The only thing to do is check the mileage each time you fill up
and then run a set distance before you know to fill up

Richard

[tempus]

If its only when the engine is running it is possibly a voltage stabilizer fault,follow wire from gauge and it should be nearby.Tempus

[NTEL]

Trickie Dickie said:

NTEL said:

If I fill mine to the brim, the gauge only registers 3/4. After two or three laps the needle just dives to empty and stays there Not sure if its the sender (which looks like an absolute bh of a job to change) or the gauge. Checked all the wiring connections and they seem OK.

Mines just the same Dave

Must have been from the same batch

The only thing to do is check the mileage each time you fill up
and then run a set distance before you know to fill up

Richard

I dont have an odometer, a speedo, a milage trip or anything. All I know is that it burns about 1 litre of Optimax per mintute at full chat and I have a 26 litre tank, so i will just about finish a 20 minute race

Would be nice to have a working gauge though just in case it started running rich