I didn't realise either that the sender units are different. I will try changing mine tomorrow as I have the same problem and it may be that I have been sent a 323 sender unit. I will check the part number tomorrow as I have left it at work and if this is the case we can swap if yours is for a 320?
Ali
Sounds like a good idea in principle but I said I'd send the sender unit back to Drgonzo, however I think he was just going to keep it as a spare. Let me know if you need it and I'm sure we can all work something out!
As for mine, it seems better after I cleaned the filter out, but I need to let it run down a bit to see how the gauge and the light behaves!
I didn't realise either that the sender units are different. I will try changing mine tomorrow as I have the same problem and it may be that I have been sent a 323 sender unit. I will check the part number tomorrow as I have left it at work and if this is the case we can swap if yours is for a 320?
Ali
Sounds like a good idea in principle but I said I'd send the sender unit back to Drgonzo, however I think he was just going to keep it as a spare. Let me know if you need it and I'm sure we can all work something out!
As for mine, it seems better after I cleaned the filter out, but I need to let it run down a bit to see how the gauge and the light behaves!
Just confirmed that the sender I have is actually off a 320 so I will keep this one. Cheers Ally
DrGonzoPOW wrote:Sender unit on mine was fine. The new E30 is fine, but the needle still jumps around like Muhammad Ali. Like yours, i just rely on the fuel light. But i guess if thats not coming on now (or al least not till its too late) then it may be the sender unit. I think i have a second hand E21 one in the workshop i could send you.
Its a matter of pulling out the back seats. The sender unit just screws into a hole in the fuel tank. Dead easy job but you will need a new sealing ring from BMW which is a couple of quid.
Hi mate,
Is it necessary to change the o-ring or seal when changing the sender? Also is there a thread/how to guide to clean the filters? I have managed to remove the back seat (easy) and remove the plate (4 screws) but not sure how to remove the sender itself? Are there any particular cleaners for cleaning the filter?
To remove the unit you need a large flat head screwdriver, or the like. You'll notice that on the rim of the sender are some notches (I think there are 3) put the screwdriver against one of these and push the sender around in an anti-clockwise direction, you might need to push against all 3 in turn to loosen it - be careful though, it can be very stiff and when it does come loose you can slip off the screwdriver and take chunks out of your hand - like I did on Sunday!!
As for cleaning, I just used warm mildly soapy water, BUT only after I'd removed the filter from the rest of the sender unit!! I didn't actually brush the mesh, just swished it around in the water, then rinse with clean water and let it dry in the sun (there maybe a better way of doing it, but this has worked for me!)
The fuel sender on my car is what I think is causing the problem too, only my fuel sender sends petrol sometimes and decides to stop sending when it wants thus stopping the car in the middle of traffic, I bought a new one it should be arriving soon. Buy a new fuel sender. The BMW agent charges $155 for that but I got it brand new fro $90 which included postage and packaging, so that's good.
I did some further investigation with Danny off the forum and found the problem. The earth wire behind the connector on the fuel guage seems to be the issue. So Danny tinkered with it until the needle stopped flickering but may have to remove the cluster to check properly.
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