Fuel Gauge stopped reading fuel level

[X5-D-Sport]

Here's one to banter about...

I stopped for Diesel this afternoon, after the gauge went down to 20 miles remaining...
SO I put £50 in the X5... re-started & gauge read zero/20 miles remaining still...

Thinking I had been ripped off by the garage, I used a different fuel pump at the fuel station & added, another £50 to the tank and topped it off to the filler neck.

The gauge still read 20 miles remaining & the needle at zero...

Before this day, there has never been an issue with the gauge or reading or miles remaining... so, whatever has failed has done so in one go.

Any suggestions as where to start looking or tinkering ?

regards to all.

Grant B

[X5Sport]

Sender unit in the tank most likely.

It’s accessed from under the rear bench seat....

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e53- ... es/2aLk7Of

I think it’s just a variable resistor so you may be able to at least check it with a meter.

[Alan Gunn]

Never done it myself but i think i have seen it somewhere that you shouldn't take the level sensor out with the tank full.
I would run it a bit first say 100 miles.
Could be wrong but i have it in the back of my mind.

[X5-D-Sport]

another possibility I'm wondering is that....
The tank was VERY low with just a few miles left in it & no hint of playing up previously.

So, i'm also thinking, maybe the float has jammed at the low position & got stuck.

I topped it off to the filler neck 2 days ago, so I need to do 100 miles before I lift the top of the tank so I don't have diesel spill all over the place.

Is there a fuse for the fuel sender device ?

[X5Sport]

No fuse in the front, but might be in the back. And yes you need to draw down the amount of fuel in the tank.

You might be right about it being stuck.

Perhaps the International Standard Mechanic’s approach might work? “It it wivva ammer!” A ‘firm’ tap with a soft face hammer might unstick it?

[Alan Gunn]

+1 for the “It it wivva ammer!”.
A sharp tap on the top of the sender might do it and save you burning diesel just to get the level down worth a try.

[X5-D-Sport]

Ahhhh Yes,
the Olde English Remedy for all things knackered -

If in doubt - Give it a Clout