Tech Tip: BMW Fuel Gauge Reads Empty After Refueling

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Tech Tip: BMW Fuel Gauge Reads Empty After Refueling

If a customer complains that after refueling the fuel gauge stays on empty, or the operation of the fuel gauge is erratic, it's caused by the formation of a non-conducting deposit on the conductor surface of the fuel level sensor.

Brake and Front End Staff
By Brake and Front End Staff
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If a customer complains that after refueling the fuel gauge stays on empty, or the operation of the fuel gauge is erratic, it’s caused by the formation of a non-conducting deposit on the conductor surface of the fuel level sensor.

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This condition affects Z3 Roadster/Coupe, M Roadster/Coupe (E36/7) produced before Dec. 15, 2000. For Z3 from Sept. 1998, and M Roadster/Coupe, FC 2 (fuel sensor voltage plausibility) will be set in the instrument cluster.

On a customer-complaint basis only, remove and replace the fuel level sensor with a “gold system” sensor (P/N 16 14 6 756 323). Refer to repair instructions 16 12 000.

Courtesy of ALLDATA.

For additional information, visit www.alldata.com.

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Choosing the Right Power Steering Fluid

Learn what power steering fluid is, why it’s crucial for your customers vehicle, and how to choose the right type.

Andrew Markel
By Andrew Markel
Andrew Markel is the director of content for Brake & Front End magazine. He has been with Babcox Media for 20 years. He is a technician and former service writer and holds several automotive certifications from ASE and ­aftermarket manufacturers. He can be reached at [email protected].
Published:

So what is power steering fluid? Power steering fluid is hydraulic oil for the most part, with certain additives that are tuned for the automotive applications, but it is hydraulic fluid. In other words, you have a pump that creates pressure and that force is changed into energy at a steering rack by turning the wheels or extending the tie rods in either direction. What else is hydraulic on the vehicle? The automatic transmission. This is why some vehicles will actually specify transmission fluid to be used inside the power steering system, but there are exceptions. Certain vehicles out there, mostly Asian, have their own formulation of power steering fluid. So it is absolutely critical that you match the power steering fluid with the application. Some may use a different weight of oil, and if you use the wrong power steering fluid, it can change the feel of the steering, but most of all, it can damage the pump and the rack on the vehicle.

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