Gas Gauge Problem...
 

Interesting problem...
I filled my tank on my 2001 325i this morning, I was at about 1/4. After 23.00$ worth of fuel, and the lever clicking off, the guage still had not moved. I tried putting in more gas, thinking the pump might be in error, but the car is indeed full. Now the weird part; it is not stuck, as it continues to go down from the 1/4 tank (it is now at 1/8) and the trip computer shows the appropriate number of miles less left. I have tried turning off the car, etc.

Any thoughts? I am perplexed. Thank you in advance.

I know that my fuel gauge seems to have a mind of it's own as well. Sometimes it seems to stick at a certian point, sometimes it fluctuates. I'm suspecting that the contacts inside the the fuel sender might be worn out, or possibly a poor ground somewhere, however on a car as new as yours, i don't know what would cause it. The fuel sender may be bad. Is your car still under warranty?

1500 miles out of warranty. Figures. The thing that is weird is that it seems to functioning, just not calibrated.

Normally i would suggest that you check ground connections, however on a car that new, I doubt that the wires would have corroded or built up resistance.

Anyone have any ideas?

the fuel sender in the tank

Jav,

you think the sender is bad?

most def. these are common for these cars. We used to replace them all the time.

Well there you go,

Learn somethin new everyday. What is involved with changing the sender? Is it under the rear seat?

Yea realy kind of simple remove seat expose senders (perferably with empty tank, well vented, keep flame away, no sparks all that jargon, replace also new seals.)

You will also need some hog-ring pliers to remove the clamp that holds the sender in the tank. If you send me your email address, i can send you an article that kinda goes over how to do this, although it is for the E36, the idea is the same.