Originally posted this in a regional forum; have moved it to the S-Type forum in hope of a response...

Periodically, the fuel gauge needle on my 2007 S-Type 4.2 stays pegged at 'E' after the vehicle is started. This usually occurs after the vehicle has sat unused for several days.

Once the vehicle has run for awhile, if the engine is turned 'Off' and then re-started, the fuel gauge needle operates correctly, until the vehicle sits, again, unused for several days.

Any thoughts on how this issue might be corrected, other than driving the vehicle more frequently?

Thank you, and kind regards,

captbob73
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Kind regards,

captbob73

2007 S-Type 4.2
1992 325i Cabriolet

 

When this occurs, does the message center report, "fuel computer data error?"

 

Have been off the boards for awhile.

No, I receive no messages of any kind.

When I first start the engine, I hear a 'whirrrring' sound. I liken it to the sound old speedometer cables made when they had failed. Next, the fuel gauge needle remains at 'E'. After driving a bit, if I turn the engine 'off' and restart, the needle reads properly. However, on a recent long trip, I noticed that the needle started moving toward 'E' at a faster rate than I was consuming fuel. Now, i always drive with 'Range' displayed in the message Window.

I think it may be the sending unit in the fuel tank that is failing.

 

Does the range function seem to be accurate?
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Yes, the Range function appears accurate

 

I have a dodgy fuel gauge and am wondering if you found a solution to this issue?

 

I think you have either a sender or wiring issue both of which mean opening up the tank.
I seem to remember there was an isue on some years where the connectors corroded.

There could also be an issue with thecontact strip of the sender itself as it is open to atmosphere in the tank.

The tank has 2 senders one with the pump on passenger side (in US) and just a sender in the othere side, connecting them is a kind of syphon hose (often called a Jet pump) which draws fuel from the non pump side, to keep both sides level.

Both are under the back seat base: it might be worth just cleaning the connectors on top of pump first if you aren't happy working around neat fuel?

 

Just remember that if you have an STR the fuel system is unlike any other S Type. So check the JTIS for troubleshooting.

There are 2 pumps in every S Type. The non-STR's have a fuel pump to feed the engine and a jet pump to keep the two sides of the tank even. The STR runs both pumps to the engine above 3000 RPM because of much greater power of the SC engine.
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Good call tbird
didn't see the r part in sig my eyesight is nearly as bad as my memory these days!!!