09-30-2023, 11:07 AM | #1 |
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Fuel tank level not correct
Just got my first BMW a few days ago.
2018 120d M Sport Shadow edition. Noticed an issue when I first filled tank to full on Tuesday. Meter in car only says 3/4 full. Thought that maybe i didnt fill up correctly so went back to petrol station today and made sure to fill up 100%, nozzle clicked off a good few times, letting it settle etc. Still same issue meter says 3/4 full. Sensors say 50litres (approx) after driving home. According to specs it is around 50l tank? See this video for fuel sensor data - Any help appreciated before I contact garage/seller about it. I have a 3month warranty when buying it so hopefully im covered if there is a fault. Last edited by s3kn0tr0n1c; 09-30-2023 at 11:13 AM.. |
09-30-2023, 12:06 PM | #2 |
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There's definitely a discrepancy: the tank is approximately 52 liters (I've just checked: the tank is the same for all F20/21). I fill mine at about half full, add about 26 liters and it shows full then (I filled at emptier as well, my calculations/estimations looked correct too). I don't verify that through the menu (I only looked at it may be once, long ago, didn't notice an unexpected value).
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09-30-2023, 12:32 PM | #3 |
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Yeh it seems weird. Tank is 52L. Mines saying 49.6L after filling up full and driving 1.5miles home.
However fuel gauge needle is at 3/4 mark. 3/4 of 52L is 39L. Weird how sensors report 49.6 though. Im fairly certain that after my first fill up that the needle sat at 3/4 for a while. Then started to drop. Almost like it started to read correctly once level in tank got down to 3/4 level. Ill need to do some more driving to confirm this. |
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09-30-2023, 01:08 PM | #5 |
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It's apparently an instrument cluster fault: the menu says "Display value 50.0 l" while it's not the case (the needle must be at/about "full"). I don't think it's easily fixable. Most likely the cluster needs to be replaced and you'll need the warranty, absolutely (because that ain't cheap).
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09-30-2023, 01:36 PM | #7 |
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Of course the needle must travel within the scale, just like the others. It does look like a mechanical fault: the cluster must need to be opened to turn/reset the needle but it's likely sealed and not repairable, at least "officially".
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09-30-2023, 01:58 PM | #8 |
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Thanks. Yes I thought it should move like the rest, keeping in the full range of dial.
Hope this is covered by my 3 month warranty. ( second hand purchase from a garage). Least I know the issue now. Ive read its possible to reset them by disconnecting the battery. However if its a mechanical fault then Im not too hopeful. |
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09-30-2023, 02:14 PM | #9 |
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I don't know for sure if it's mechanical but I am most confident. Actually, it looks all right apart from missing the scale, that's you can use it like that, keeping the offset in mind: when it hits '0' it should be about 1/4 left (you can find out the exact amount with the menu). When there's only the reserve (would be the red segment if it were set correctly) left, there must be a warning from the computer on the display, although I am not sure if I saw it 10 years ago when driving from the dealer to my gas station of choice: I don't run on empty as I mentioned already.
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09-30-2023, 02:25 PM | #10 |
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Ill have another look tomorrow as its night time now. Hard to see if its like a "normal" needle pushed onto a shaft of a motor/servo. If it is then just turning needle (by offset amount) should correct it. Id be able to do that myself i recon.
It does look like a digital/led needle but could very well be like a old school needle. As you said it would be possible to drive with offset as is. I did think it was strange last week when it was well in the red( after car was delivered)but readout still said over 100miles left. Thanks again for your help. Appreciated. |
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10-05-2023, 04:31 PM | #11 |
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Can't find any info online about removing these pointers from the motor shaft.
They do have a low profile centre / round piece compared to all the videos on youtube with other clusters. Unsure if safe to leaver it up from the front. I'm reluctant to pull it off until I see a video to confirm I won't damage the pointer or the motor/shaft. |
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