How to change BMW E46 fuel level sending unit

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How to change BMW E46 fuel level sending unit

Рет қаралды 81,333

8 жыл бұрын

For those in need of a working fuel gauge, this is how you change the sensor in the tank. Make sure you do not have a full tank of fuel when you do this as it will pour out the top when you open the tank. I would recommend less than a half a tank.
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Пікірлер: 72

@Chopstik0 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Now I have a clue as to what to do and where to start on my '04 ZHP. With your permission, two things came to my attention that I'd like to mention: (Not meant to be negative, just some constructive observations.) (1) I grimaced a little when I saw that you didn't blow or vacuum the dust and crud off of the top of everything before breaking into the tank opening--and I saw some laying there. Not wise if you want to keep foreign stuff like dust, dirt, corrosion and rust out of your gas tank... could plug things up or shorten the life of your fuel filter... hopefully not make its way into the fuel injection system. (2) I noticed you held your camera/smart phone and one hand and worked with the other... not bad. I could follow things quite well until you, what looks like either dropped the phone or tried to use both hands while holding the phone. I was at a crucial juncture that needed watching, but all I saw was the phone panning around wildly. Probably work better if you used a fixture or tripod type device next time. That said, I really appreciate the video. It clued me in to what I'll be going through. My instrument panel gas gauge stays between full and half, so I have to rely on my odometer to keep track of my fuel level. Also, what brand of replacement part did you use? Cost? Where purchased? Thanks Again, RM

@robjanson7282 6 жыл бұрын

Great job...explained very well. I’m going to order a new sending unit today and give it a try next weekend.. thanks for the post!

@msf2168 3 жыл бұрын

Mechanics are charging 1000 for this to be done. Amazing

@tedstanford6492 4 жыл бұрын

Does the blue line take gas to the right side of tank. My 2002bmw 325ci stops when fuel is half fuel.

@MsMichal2010 3 жыл бұрын

the best how to video ever!! thanks

@camdenkerndavis 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to put this out there

@sydneyNemesis101 3 жыл бұрын

Have you got that part number, it is actually harder to find that, then the one with the fuel pump here in australia

@user-xl5iy1zl1m Жыл бұрын

If this starts going bad can it cause misfire with fuel cut off? I replaced fuel injectors sparks and coils even a new coil harness wiring unit and camshaft sensors and crankshaft senaor and the fuel pump.. only rhing i havent replaced is this thing and the fitler. Its a fuel cut off codes in cylinder 1,2 and 5

@isrealperez9069 4 жыл бұрын

Can that cause fuel pressure problems I just didn't know what that was on the car I've narrow down two problems

@Throughthelurkingglass 2 жыл бұрын

So do I just need to replace the sending unit, not the jet pump itself if I'm running out with half a tank, replaced passenger fuel pump 4 months ago?

@gilmartinez5085 5 жыл бұрын

Whered you buy the sender unit???

@user-oj4yd6oj8o 6 ай бұрын

Where did you buy the sending unit. I can,t fine it.

@UmbrellaTech Жыл бұрын

Nice video. Planning to change it on my E46. do i need to release the fuel pressure 1st before disconnect the hose ? Or i can juat disconnect it?

@gentoolive 8 жыл бұрын

What were the issues you were having with the Gauge that lead you to replace this fuel level sending unit? Gauge not working at all, not reading correctly? My 2005 330ci is having a issue with the Gauge reading Full one moment, 1/2 tank a couple minutes later and anywhere in between. I have no issues with the Car sputtering/missing etc, it revs quick and smooth. So i am not suspect of the fuel pump itself. I believe this is going to be my next weekend project. Thanks for the video.

@teama.d.1058 8 жыл бұрын

Hey, sorry for the late reply. We've been running into some tech problems. And for me the guage simply did not work, it always read empty and the light was always on. It's been that way since I got the car and I finally got around to replacing it. For the issue your having it sound like you may be able to clean the connector and that might fix it, if all else fails replacing it is pretty easy. But if your still looking for advice I'd say take the sending unit out and give the metal electrodes or whatever their called, it's escaping me at the moment a good clean with brake cleaner or something like that. Thanks for watching -Team AD

@Mrslay-cc5nd 5 жыл бұрын

Mines showed empty all the time I replaced sending unit and filled the tank now it just shows half and I filled it until the pump shut off

@shabazuddin335 4 жыл бұрын

Is this one will make problem in giving power to engine. My car some times goes very smooth and very fast and for some times it will be going roughly and just tightly and consuming more fuel. I thought this fuel gauge is ending wrong reading so this could be the problem. Can you suggest me what would have gone wrong

@Hiddensubliminalt Жыл бұрын

@@teama.d.1058 I need your help

@Mrslay-cc5nd 5 жыл бұрын

I replaced the unit and it still shows 1/2 tank do I have to wait a few hours ? I filled the tank .. could it be jammed ? Could I have installed it wrong ?

@louismason8665 4 жыл бұрын

which of the fuses controls the fuel pump

@louismason8665 4 жыл бұрын

Which fuse controls the fuel pump

@greg439 7 жыл бұрын

My mechanic recently diagnosed my Fuel Level sending unit was leaking. Upon having 3/4 tank or more, I would get this extremely strong gas smell in and out of the car and very small but noticeable leakage around the fuel filter/surrounding hose (filter was changed recently, its not the issue). Do these symptoms make sense that this unit is the culprit? Isn't it directly located in the gas tank? Thanks!

@tmjonz 6 жыл бұрын

Greg Steele Did you end up replacing your sending unit? I am experiencing the same issue, and sure enough my sending unit is leaking. Pretty simple to replace. Going to order new one today. I was just curious how yours turned out.

@ricardoealvarez6 7 жыл бұрын

I recently replaced my fuel pump. Everything worked great, except for the fuel gauge. The fuel gauge worked perfectly before the fuel pump gave out. My gauge says empty when it should read at least 1/2 a tank. What could be causing this issue? I know the fuel pump has a "arm" with a circuit board. Does this also calculate the fuel? Could it be stuck?

@teama.d.1058 7 жыл бұрын

It's a possibility, I would take the sending unit out and clean the contacts to see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't odds are you'll need a new sending unit. Probably just poor timing for them both to fail so close together

@1fullsailkid 6 жыл бұрын

Just replaced my fuel pump yesterday and I have the same problem. Had a half tank when I changed it. Did a lot of driving last night and the gauge went down as I used gas and never came back up after i filled it. I think it is too much of a coincidence that both went bad at the same time. I'm going to refit everything tomorrow after I use some gas up. I'll keep you posted.

@ricardoealvarez6 6 жыл бұрын

B-Roc Dolan I thought I had a bad sending unit as well. I was really close to buying a new sending unit, but I decide to exchange the new fuel pump with a different one. I really wanted to make sure that it wasn't a faulty fuel pump, and I really didn't think that getting a new fuel pump would fix my fuel gauge problem, since the fuel pump was new. But I'm so glad I did that, I replaced the new fuel pump I had installed with a different "newer" fuel pump and that fixed my issue! It wasn't the sending unit, it was a faulty fuel pump and I couldn't believe it. I had been stressing over this for a while before I decided to exchange the fuel pump. I would suggest doing the same if you can before spending money on a new sending unit.

@1fullsailkid 6 жыл бұрын

That's funny, Same exact issue with me. I replaced the new fuel pump and the gauge works fine. I never messed with the sending unit. I figured the odds of both of them going bad at the same time were slim to none. Thanks for the response.

@justinkashtock333 6 жыл бұрын

As far as I'm aware, there are 2 Sending Units in the car - on the Passenger Side, there's the fuel pump with a built in sending unit, and on the Driver Side there's just the sending unit by itself. If you look around in E46 forums, there's a diagnostic mode you can get into on your car that helps you determine which side specifically is having issues.

@Videocrazy54 9 ай бұрын

Where did you get the new part?

@trapboiogguerrero141 5 жыл бұрын

Hey bro is same process for 2003 530i BMW can do you have to rest the gas or the car automatically know cause my gas lite keeps turning on an my miles keep going up an down

@thewedge8823 5 жыл бұрын

Do you have to disconnect the battery before you do this?

@MindHunger Жыл бұрын

Will this procedure also work on an E39?

@austinkluth6806 8 ай бұрын

Where did you get this part from?

@mikemoreno4469 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent video - well explained and filmed. Thank you very much.

@ggua92722 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the video. Mine is broken and now I know how to replace it.

@amaricdawson 3 жыл бұрын

Where did u order it from

@ggua92722 3 жыл бұрын

Hi charles dawson, bought it used. I went to my local junk yard, still working after 3 years. But, for OEM parts I always buy them online at mybimmerparts.com. Or ecstuning.com or FCPeuro.com.

@Monjiro_KNY 5 жыл бұрын

My problem with my BMW is that it gets stop while the fuel tank is halfway. Any idea.

@teama.d.1058 5 жыл бұрын

There is a metal contact that the float touches that I've seen break in half, so that could be straight up broken. Or the float could be getting stuck on something? I've not had that exact issue before

@rickmartinez8082 4 жыл бұрын

I have a 2003 530i and my pump went bad and I had the pump replaced but now the car wont let me put more than a 1/2 tank in when I try to fill up. Is the sending unit bad or does it just need some kind of adjustment? I got one from a local pick ur parts but before I go to the trouble, I want to make sure I'm not looking for more trouble. Thanks

@lawpenner 2 жыл бұрын

If it wouldn't allow you to "put more than half a tank of gas in"... is it possible that your fuel gauge level was reading half a tank when it was actually empty? How did you fix this and what was the problem? I may have similar issue right now

@raysewell4110 4 жыл бұрын

2008 528i I replace fuel pump and still no fuel in fuel rail multi times tryed starting

@gbflako4985 4 ай бұрын

Can this stop the car from starting

@faridzmohd6511 2 жыл бұрын

Change mine but the problem coming back 3days later.dont know why

@gk_filer 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent! How did you release fuel pressure?

@ShravanDwarka 3 жыл бұрын

Does this car have 2 sending unit? or only 1?

@Strmi 6 жыл бұрын

I have problem.Sensor on my fuel pump working correctly,but on right side of reservoir there's only like 3-4L of fuel,while everything else (15L+) is on left side of resorvoir where that sensor is located.I think it's broken,since fuel level in tank needs to be balanced?Did my fuel sensor died or is something else?

@tylersimpson8314 6 жыл бұрын

Strmi Nation there is supposed to be a transfer pump that keeps the tank level in each side, I'm not exactly sure where it is on this car as I have an m3 now, but I would make sure the transfer pump is working correctly!

@directedbypuma 6 жыл бұрын

I think thats what he plugged into the fuel sensor. Black hose to the sensor unit that goes over the O ring. Its listed a fuel transfer pump, im guessing its site inside the tank and goes to right side of the tank. this the part on the bmw x5 e53 3.0i 16111184427. I have the same issue where only a few liters are in the right tank when my left has 27-30L in the tank. My car has died recently with half a tank on the gauge a few times, ive been doing repairs had a problem with the alternator not producing the right voltage levels, too low, I changed that today and the car staying running west of the center fuel gauge so far but I see less then 1L in the right tank still, its suppose to level on both sides when you hit a half a tank on the gauge. my car has shut off at times because maybe weak gas flow or tank practically empty on right side. I also have a small evap leak, could be dtml pump or something else, the problem could be related for me. I am also getting P0430 and other O2 errors but I think its due to the tank issue. going to remove both pump and gauge units next to see if theres anything wrong with them.

@HansSoloYolo 6 жыл бұрын

If you're able to fix yours, I have the same issue. Car died on the highway with 119 miles to empty the other day and now I'm worried about driving it

@norrortsbiltraffar8154 6 жыл бұрын

thanks for good explained and good showing i will order a used one and hope for the best! // SWEDEN

@Kruncher55 5 жыл бұрын

What indication did you have that your sending unit was bad? I noticed I had a full tank of gas this week, after driving around, well all week. I thought that was weird, so stopped by the gas station and put more than few gallons in. I have the 2004 330 CI. Thanks! Adam

@tylersimpson8314 5 жыл бұрын

For me the Guage read empty all the time, though I'm sure other symtopms can exist

@kotcat9696 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot dude! :)

@user-ns5kh5qt4j 3 ай бұрын

Didn't read gas level before u replaced it

@nstudiodesign 3 жыл бұрын

what is the sending unit part number?

@47nodoubt 7 жыл бұрын

i have a p0460 code the fuel sensor circuit will this fix my problem

@teama.d.1058 7 жыл бұрын

Maybe, I would first just check all the connections and make sure everything on the sending unit and on the back of Guage cluster is plugged in firmly, if that doesn't work then you could try replacing the sending unit itself