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540i fuel gauge and RPI questions

Old 09-25-2009, 04:30 PM
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Hey!!

I have a friend with a 2003 540i M Sport. His fuel gauge is giving him some random readings. I.e...... We know it's at a half tank but reads empty then half then empty and so on.......... any ideas??

Also, does RPI make an exhaust for the 540???

Thank You!!!!!!!!!

B
Old 09-25-2009, 04:33 PM
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According to its website, RPI does not make an exhaust for the E39: http://raceprecision.com/2009/index.php?op...51&Itemid=2
Old 09-25-2009, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='1017231' date='Sep 25 2009, 07:33 PM
According to its website, RPI does not make an exhaust for the E39: http://raceprecision.com/2009/index.php?op...51&Itemid=2
Guess not!! Thanks for the link! I guess when I get my RPI he will just have to suffer in his pitiful jealousy!!!
Old 09-25-2009, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by bespoke1' post='1017233' date='Sep 25 2009, 08:36 PM
Guess not!! Thanks for the link! I guess when I get my RPI he will just have to suffer in his pitiful jealousy!!!
Well Brian, I am always a little jealous when I hear an E60 with RPI exhaust. The sound is sick.
Old 09-25-2009, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='1017234' date='Sep 25 2009, 07:40 PM
Well Brian, I am always a little jealous when I hear an E60 with RPI exhaust. The sound is sick.
Just have to refill my mod account.......... It's coming soon.
Old 09-25-2009, 04:50 PM
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On my old E36 M3, the fuel gauge was difficult too! I would fill the tank and it WOULD NOT register on the gauge until I pulled out a fuse for 30 seconds, and THEN it would read correctly. BMW never figured out exactly why this was so. They theorized it could be gas additives coating the sensor in the tank, and that was why it read erroneously. BTW, they did replace the sensors twice and it still didn't solve the problem!
Old 09-25-2009, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='1017240' date='Sep 25 2009, 07:50 PM
On my old E36 M3, the fuel gauge was difficult too! I would fill the tank and it WOULD NOT register on the gauge until I pulled out a fuse for 30 seconds, and THEN it would read correctly. BMW never figured out exactly why this was so. They theorized it could be gas additives coating the sensor in the tank, and that was why it read erroneously. BTW, they did replace the sensors twice and it still didn't solve the problem!
So, no big deal? I asked him if he filled up all the way last time and he said he didn't. I thought maybe a total refill would reset something.
Old 09-25-2009, 05:00 PM
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I obviously could still drive the car even with this little flaw, but it was annoying! I would suggest pulling the fuse related to the gauges for 30 seconds and see if it resets itself! Let me know how it all turns out!
Old 09-25-2009, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='1017255' date='Sep 25 2009, 08:00 PM
I obviously could still drive the car even with this little flaw, but it was annoying! I would suggest pulling the fuse related to the gauges for 30 seconds and see if it resets itself! Let me know how it all turns out!
I will. I like that 540. Very different from the E60. But, it's nice.
Old 10-04-2009, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by bespoke1' post='1017261' date='Sep 25 2009, 09:07 PM
I will. I like that 540. Very different from the E60. But, it's nice.

Exact same problem I had years ago.

On my e39, I replaced the fuel sending unit, fuel pump, etc. and no help.

It turned out to be what BMW calls a "jet pump". Basically a siphon tube. Very cheap part

The e39 has a split gas tank over the drive train. Normally the gas just sloshes around in both parts, but the fuel pump is only on one side. The siphon tube or "jet pump" moves gas back over to the fuel pump side when it all sloshes to the other side. Sometimes they get clogged.

That would be my guess.

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