Help: E90 330d Cutting Out

[GolfR12]

Hi guys,

I have a E90 2007 330d with 149k on the clock.

Over the last 2 weeks, the car keeps cutting out when the fuel gets low (still about 1/16th of fuel in the tank and shows 20+ miles on the range).

When the car cuts out, it throws up various errors on the iDrive such as Gearbox Malfunction, DSC Failure, Tyre Pressure sensor etc. When trying to start it again it struggles to start but eventually starts on the 3rd or 4th try. **The car is fine again once I put fuel in**

I have had a diagnostic done which only shows my spark plugs need changing but The garage don’t seem to think that is the issue as it starts and drives fine usually. They have advised it could be that it is picking up dirt once fuel gets low and maybe changing the fuel filter should solve it.

I haven’t had a chance to give the car in yet but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this or know what the issue could be?

[GolfR12]

Mods please delete duplicate thread

[tdm34]

I have a E90 2007 330d with 149k on the clock.


I have had a diagnostic done which only shows my spark plugs need changing but The garage don’t seem to think that is the issue as it starts and drives fine usually. They have advised it could be that it is picking up dirt once fuel gets low and maybe changing the fuel filter should solve it.


Before doing anything, i'd change my garage first.................

[Mike335i]

Spark plugs? 330d?

[GolfR12]

Apologies, glow plugs.

Admittedly, I have let car run very low on fuel over the last month so maybe it could just be that dirt has got into the fuel tank.

I have just filled up with Shell V Power diesel and will do so for the next couple of tanks. I will also get a service and change the fuel filter so hopefully this will resolve the issue,

[E39F4N]

It could be the in-tank fuel pump that is starting to fail. These pumps feed the main high pressure diesel pump. Some cars also have another in-line pump under the passenger seat. Diagnosing an intermittent in-tank fuel pump failure can be really tricky but I have experienced this twice of the years and the symptoms you describe look pretty much like it. Good luck!

[Eddieslofart]

E39F4N said:

It could be the in-tank fuel pump that is starting to fail. These pumps feed the main high pressure diesel pump. Some cars also have another in-line pump under the passenger seat. Diagnosing an intermittent in-tank fuel pump failure can be really tricky but I have experienced this twice of the years and the symptoms you describe look pretty much like it. Good luck!

This.

[GolfR12]

E39F4N said:

It could be the in-tank fuel pump that is starting to fail. These pumps feed the main high pressure diesel pump. Some cars also have another in-line pump under the passenger seat. Diagnosing an intermittent in-tank fuel pump failure can be really tricky but I have experienced this twice of the years and the symptoms you describe look pretty much like it. Good luck!

Hi there. So having had a full service done (inc glow plugs), my car cut out again when low on fuel (1/16th of a tank 20 miles on range). It is the first time it has done this since the service a few weeks ago.

As above, the garage have advised it could be a weak high pressure fuel pump.

My question is, is it ok to carry on driving the vehicle for a few months making sure the fuel is always above the reserve level or will this cause more damage?

I’m guessing if it is the in tank fuel pump as mentioned above, this would be a cheaper job than the main high pressure pump. Any ideas on what sort of cost I would be expecting to get this sorted?

Many thanks in advance

[GolfR12]

Also just to add, when I first start the car in the morning it judders slightly for a couple of minutes. The juddering has gone down somewhat after the service but still there

[Elliot2000]

It’s not going to be the high pressure pump. If it happens at the same fuel level every time u have a problem in your fuel tank- they have saddle bag tanks and pullls fuel from one side to the other when it gets the saddle line. If it’s not pulling it over then it will cut out as the main in tank pump runs dry. Could also be a hose or pipe in the tank adrift causing same issue, or fuel level not reading correct - sometimes fuel senders don’t sit correctly in the tank or if you have it something underneath the car deformed part of the tank.

You can read the fuel level in each side of the tank from the dash from
The diag menus u can bring up - this should help you.

Don’t start changing high pressure pump or anything on the engine - this is not where your issue lies.

Alternatively don’t let your car run that low on fuel and you won’t have any more issues

[GolfR12]

Elliot2000 said:

It’s not going to be the high pressure pump. If it happens at the same fuel level every time u have a problem in your fuel tank- they have saddle bag tanks and pullls fuel from one side to the other when it gets the saddle line. If it’s not pulling it over then it will cut out as the main in tank pump runs dry. Could also be a hose or pipe in the tank adrift causing same issue, or fuel level not reading correct - sometimes fuel senders don’t sit correctly in the tank or if you have it something underneath the car deformed part of the tank.

You can read the fuel level in each side of the tank from the dash from
The diag menus u can bring up - this should help you.

Don’t start changing high pressure pump or anything on the engine - this is not where your issue lies.

Alternatively don’t let your car run that low on fuel and you won’t have any more issues

Many thanks for your reply. How do I read the fuel level from my dash? I have a 2007 pre lci 330d