Fuel Gauge - Displays Inaccurate Fuel Tank Level
Group 62Instruments
Bulletin Number
62 12 91 (3421)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
April 1993
Product Engineering
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 62 12 91 (3421) dated March 1993. It corrects a labor operation number and labor allowance. Please remove and discard S.I. 62 12 91 (3421) dated March 1993 from your S.I. binder.
SUBJECT:
Fuel Gauge Displays Inaccurate Fuel Tank Level
MODELS:
All E36
Situation:
Three separate, but related complaints may be encountered:
A) The fuel gauge displays an incorrect level. For example, the gauge appears to stick at approximately 1/2.
B) The fuel gauge does not show maximum level when the tank is filled.
C) The fuel gauge reading "drops" during cranking.
Causes:
Three causes may exist for these complaints:
A) Left-hand side fuel level sender (P/N 16 14 1 180 517) sticking (causes gauge to appear to stick at approximately 1/2).
B) Pump nozzle shuts off prematurely when filling fuel tank, creating the incorrect impression that the fuel tank is full, and the fuel gauge does not show the maximum level.
C) Excessive running time of warning chime for "Key in Ignition" can, under certain conditions, cause the fuel gauge reading to drop during cranking.
Before making a decision as to which of the corrective measures listed below is applied, follow the troubleshooting chart. Please note that if the complaint is caused by excessive warning chime activation time ... or by "Lights on" warning buzzer activation ... (as described in S.I. 62 01 93 (3753), no further troubleshooting need be performed.
For Situation A:
E36 vehicles produced prior to 08/91 and exhibiting complaint "A" as described above should have an improved left-hand side fuel level sender (P/N 16 14 1 180 517) installed. The improved fuel level sender bears a date code stamp of "9.91" or later.
For Situation B:
E36 vehicles exhibiting complaint "B" as described above should have the breather line inspected for restriction and position. Refer to Service Information bulletin 16 01 92 (3553) for this procedure.
For Situation C:
Troubleshoot system as per chart and S.I. 62 01 93 (3753).
Notes:
1) The Parts Department only stocks P/N 16 14 1 180 517 bearing date code stamps of "9.91" or later.
2) The situations described above (A, B and C) cannot be rectified by the replacement of the Instrument Cluster. Instrument Cluster replacement should only be performed for a complaint of inaccurate fuel gauge when troubleshooting by the chart reveals the cluster as defective (steps 2A or 6).
Warranty Information:
Situation A:
Parts and labor for replacing the left-hand side fuel level sender are reimbursable under the BMW New Car Limited Warranty of 4 Years/50,000 Miles.
Description
Defect Code: 16 14 00 12 00 Fuel sender failed
Labor Operation: 16 12 001 Replace fuel sender
Labor Allowance: 14 FRU
Situation B:
Refer to S.I. 16 01 92 (3553) for warranty information pertaining to this situation.
Situation C:
Labor for performing Instrument Cluster Self-Test, checking Tank Sender Resistance with the MoDiC, and diagnosing as per S.I. 62 01 93 (3753) is to be claimed as follows:
(Note: This procedure corresponds to performing steps 1, 2, 3, and 3a of the troubleshooting chart.)
Description
Defect Code: 62 11 06 18 00 Fuel gauge incorrect reading
Labor Operation: 62 10 000 Check Instr. Cluster function
Labor Allowance: 2 FRU
In the event that replacement of the Instrument Cluster proves necessary (Steps 2A or 6), labor is to be claimed as follows:
Description
Defect Code: 62 11 06 18 00 Fuel gauge incorrect reading
Labor Operation: 62 21 001 Replace Instrument Cluster
Labor Allowance: 7 FRU
Labor Operation: 32 34 500 Additional labor for airbag
Labor Allowance: 2 FRU
Important Note:
Fuel Level Senders and/or Instrument Clusters may only be replaced for a complaint of fuel gauge inaccuracy after performing the troubleshooting detailed in the accompanying chart. Reference the step number of this chart that indicated a defective part on the warranty claim.
Fill Tank [is tank full? See S.I. 16 01 92 (3553) (Situation "B")]