Fuel Gauge Gets 'Stuck' in Cold Weather

nostrum09 · 12-08-2006, 07:48 AM

Now that the past few days have seen rather cold temperatures here in the morning (below 32F), I've noticed that upon entering my car, the fuel gauge is pegged at 'E' but looks like it's trying to move to the right, but then it moves back to 'E.' The whole effect looks like the needle is vibrating and it makes a ticking noise. After I start the car and it's been running for a minute, it fixes itself and goes to its proper location.

Has anyone else noticed this behavior?

dmboone25 · 12-08-2006, 08:26 AM

Hmmmm...it has been 10 degrees F almost all week here in Chicago, and my car sits outside at a train station all day, and I have not noticed this problem. You've only noticed when its really cold? Weird.....

wrestleSBA · 12-08-2006, 08:32 AM

My car has been doing this as well. As a matter of fact I first noticed only on the fuel gauge but now it will actually happen on all of the gauges. All gauges except the fuel actually just sit still at the 0 point.

It has been somewhere around 10-20 degrees here in the morning the last few weeks. During the morning this will last approximately one minute of driving and in the evenings (~30 degrees) it lasts about 15 seconds.

Carnage · 12-08-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Hmmmm...it has been 10 degrees F almost all week here in Chicago, and my car sits outside at a train station all day, and I have not noticed this problem. You've only noticed when its really cold? Weird.....

Same here. It's been pretty f'in cold here the last week or so and I haven't noticed it nor did I notice it last year.

canucklion · 12-08-2006, 09:47 AM

nay on my car, and it's really cold nowadays

cm3rc · 12-08-2006, 10:32 AM

mines stuck on 3/4

canucklion · 12-08-2006, 10:35 AM

but it can't be due to cold weather, can it? seeing as you're in CA

Ken27 · 12-08-2006, 11:05 AM

My 2 month old 325i into the shop about 4 months ago for a stuck gas gage.

Filled up the tank and on the way home noticed that the gas gauge was showing only 1/2 full.

2 Days latter and it still shows 1/2 full. Not good.

Brought her for some TLC.

Broken part was the fuel sender circuit.

Mechanic also told me that there have been a few problems due to ethanol in the gas, turns out too much ethonal causes problems with the circuit that measures how much fuel is in the tank. Too much and it burns out a resistor in the circuit.

It may be that the cold or your car sitting for too long allows the ethonal to seperate.

Have the shop take a look at it, you paid for 4 years of free service

- Ken

dmboone25 · 12-08-2006, 12:14 PM

Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order--non working guages!?!?! That's crap! :mad:

nostrum09 · 12-09-2006, 09:08 AM

I will take everyone's advice and have the dealer take a look at it. I've got some vacation time coming up where I won't need my car, so that sounds like a good time!

arbitrage · 12-09-2006, 10:39 AM

Get it checked, mine has been fine at -30C two weeks ago!

BMW0 · 12-09-2006, 10:43 AM

My car sits out in the parking lot in temps as low as 20F. No problems here other than the handle on the driver side door gets a bit sticky then snaps back in position.

orionredwing · 12-14-2006, 11:04 PM

I'm glad someone asked this question. I have the same problem.

My car only has 300 miles on it, but I noticed a stuck fuel gauge after my first fill up. The gauge read full (1) for 100 miles until today, when it dropped to 3/4 all of a sudden. Then it dropped to 1/2, and then did a +/- 1/8th from there (yups moved in both directions). SO I went to fill up and it only took 6 gallons for topped off full....I don't think 6 gallons is the 1/2 spot on the fuel gauge since we have a 16gal tank?

However, on top of the originator's post, I have a 2nd question.

I noticed my gas mileage is only 17mpg . I do not have a lead foot, and kept my RPMs between 2-3K in city driving, traffic conditions. Some have gotten 17 in other threads, but mine seems low for my driving style and condition.

Do you guys think I have a problem or is this normal during break-in and city traffic conditions?

Garage parked, northern california...no colder than 50F at night. Tires 34 psi Front / 40R, not hauling extra weight

gos · 12-14-2006, 11:07 PM

I don't have the stuck needle problem, and I've come out to the car when it was -10F after being parked overnight.

12-08-2006, 07:48 AM	#1
nostrum09 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 257 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Fuel Gauge Gets 'Stuck' in Cold Weather Now that the past few days have seen rather cold temperatures here in the morning (below 32F), I've noticed that upon entering my car, the fuel gauge is pegged at 'E' but looks like it's trying to move to the right, but then it moves back to 'E.' The whole effect looks like the needle is vibrating and it makes a ticking noise. After I start the car and it's been running for a minute, it fixes itself and goes to its proper location. Has anyone else noticed this behavior? __________________ Current: 2008 E85 3.0i \| Bright Red \| Beige \| Black Roof \| Dark Poplar \| STEP \| ZPP \| Navigation \| Heated Seats \| Premium Sound \| Xenon Current: 2006 E90 325i \| Monaco Blue \| Black \| Aluminum \| STEP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZSP \| iDrive \| CA \| Xenon \| Logic7 \| Sat Radio Retired: 2003 E46 325Ci \| Mystic Blue \| Gray \| Myrtle Wood \| STEP \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Xenon \| H/K Sound
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12-08-2006, 08:26 AM	#2
dmboone25 Lieutenant General 4972 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [10.00] 2007 328i [10.00]	Hmmmm...it has been 10 degrees F almost all week here in Chicago, and my car sits outside at a train station all day, and I have not noticed this problem. You've only noticed when its really cold? Weird..... __________________ Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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12-08-2006, 08:32 AM	#3
wrestleSBA Private 16 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Memphis, TN iTrader: (0)	My car has been doing this as well. As a matter of fact I first noticed only on the fuel gauge but now it will actually happen on all of the gauges. All gauges except the fuel actually just sit still at the 0 point. It has been somewhere around 10-20 degrees here in the morning the last few weeks. During the morning this will last approximately one minute of driving and in the evenings (~30 degrees) it lasts about 15 seconds. __________________ 325i 6MT, Mystic Blue, Beige w/ Poplar, Premium Package, Navi, Comfort Access, Xenons, Heated Seats, Satellite Prep (for when I want to go back and add Sirius)
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12-08-2006, 09:47 AM	#5
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	nay on my car, and it's really cold nowadays __________________
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12-08-2006, 10:32 AM	#6
cm3rc Colonel 85 Rep 2,221 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ferndale MI iTrader: (8) Garage List 06 325i [0.00]	mines stuck on 3/4 __________________ www.socale90.com
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12-08-2006, 10:35 AM	#7
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	but it can't be due to cold weather, can it? seeing as you're in CA __________________
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12-08-2006, 11:05 AM	#8
Ken27 Mystic Blue 2006 325i 0 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	fuel sender circuit My 2 month old 325i into the shop about 4 months ago for a stuck gas gage. Filled up the tank and on the way home noticed that the gas gauge was showing only 1/2 full. 2 Days latter and it still shows 1/2 full. Not good. Brought her for some TLC. Broken part was the fuel sender circuit. Mechanic also told me that there have been a few problems due to ethanol in the gas, turns out too much ethonal causes problems with the circuit that measures how much fuel is in the tank. Too much and it burns out a resistor in the circuit. It may be that the cold or your car sitting for too long allows the ethonal to seperate. Have the shop take a look at it, you paid for 4 years of free service - Ken
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12-08-2006, 12:14 PM	#9
dmboone25 Lieutenant General 4972 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [10.00] 2007 328i [10.00]	Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order--non working guages!?!?! That's crap! :mad: __________________ Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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12-09-2006, 09:08 AM	#10
nostrum09 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 257 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I will take everyone's advice and have the dealer take a look at it. I've got some vacation time coming up where I won't need my car, so that sounds like a good time! __________________ Current: 2008 E85 3.0i \| Bright Red \| Beige \| Black Roof \| Dark Poplar \| STEP \| ZPP \| Navigation \| Heated Seats \| Premium Sound \| Xenon Current: 2006 E90 325i \| Monaco Blue \| Black \| Aluminum \| STEP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZSP \| iDrive \| CA \| Xenon \| Logic7 \| Sat Radio Retired: 2003 E46 325Ci \| Mystic Blue \| Gray \| Myrtle Wood \| STEP \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Xenon \| H/K Sound
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12-09-2006, 10:39 AM	#11
arbitrage First Lieutenant 14 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 07 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Whitehorse Yukon Territory Canada iTrader: (0)	Get it checked, mine has been fine at -30C two weeks ago! __________________ Ordered June 3 '06: E92 335i Saph Blk, Jade Grey lthr, poplar grey trim, 6spd, Sports Pkg, CA. Update Sept 29 '06: Got the car...It rocks!! Update Sept 08: Moved to Whitehorse and had to buy out of my lease. Miss the car a lot. Will return to BMW family in a couple of years.
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12-09-2006, 10:43 AM	#12
BMW0 Colonel 237 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	My car sits out in the parking lot in temps as low as 20F. No problems here other than the handle on the driver side door gets a bit sticky then snaps back in position. __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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12-14-2006, 11:04 PM	#13
orionredwing Captain 106 Rep 728 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan, 135i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [10.00]	I'm glad someone asked this question. I have the same problem. My car only has 300 miles on it, but I noticed a stuck fuel gauge after my first fill up. The gauge read full (1) for 100 miles until today, when it dropped to 3/4 all of a sudden. Then it dropped to 1/2, and then did a +/- 1/8th from there (yups moved in both directions). SO I went to fill up and it only took 6 gallons for topped off full....I don't think 6 gallons is the 1/2 spot on the fuel gauge since we have a 16gal tank? However, on top of the originator's post, I have a 2nd question. I noticed my gas mileage is only 17mpg . I do not have a lead foot, and kept my RPMs between 2-3K in city driving, traffic conditions. Some have gotten 17 in other threads, but mine seems low for my driving style and condition. Do you guys think I have a problem or is this normal during break-in and city traffic conditions? Garage parked, northern california...no colder than 50F at night. Tires 34 psi Front / 40R, not hauling extra weight __________________ PROcede \| AMS FMIC \| AR Catless DPs \| AR Oil Cooler \| BMS DCI Wavetrac LSD \| KW V3 w/ Swift Springs \| M3 Front Suspension Last edited by orionredwing; 12-14-2006 at 11:22 PM..
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12-14-2006, 11:07 PM	#14
gos Captain 27 Rep 959 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I don't have the stuck needle problem, and I've come out to the car when it was -10F after being parked overnight. __________________ -- 330xi SG/Terra/Burl -- ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, CA, Sirius, PDC
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