The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[ELCID86]

Strange John. The sensor to the gauge is built into the pump so perhaps a new one is called for.

[PdZHP]

Similar symptoms after my fuel pump was dying. Survive a couple days by hitting the gas tank before starting the car, old school trick to get the pump jump started.

[NoVAphotog]

Strange John. The sensor to the gauge is built into the pump so perhaps a new one is called for.

Exhibit A:

[stephenkirsh]

I thought they tended to give a little more warning than dying like that?

Similar symptoms after my fuel pump was dying. Survive a couple days by hitting the gas tank before starting the car, old school trick to get the pump jump started.

Do you mean actually hitting it? Where in/on do you hit it?

[alexandre]

Could be your fuel level sender on the drivers side of the tank that failed. Could indicate 1/16 level but be actually empty.

[OtterEffect]

Could be your fuel level sender on the drivers side of the tank that failed. Could indicate 1/16 level but be actually empty.

I'm thinking this. Haven't had a single problem or even indication of a failing pump. When I went to fill her up, the pump only registered 14.3 gallons + the .8 I dumped in a couple minutes before. That's only 15.1 gallons when a "normal" fill is usually around 15.8 or so for me.


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[PdZHP]

Started by hitting it underneath the rear passenger side of the car. After that was no longer working I removed my back seat and hit the top of the fuel pump. Lasted only about 4 days like this until it fully died.

[stephenkirsh]

Started by hitting it underneath the rear passenger side of the car. After that was no longer working I removed my back seat and hit the top of the fuel pump. Lasted only about 4 days like this until it fully died.

Hey I guess that's something until the new pump arrives.

So you would hit it, then go start? Or would you try and start it and then it if it didn't work?

[az3579]

I'm thinking this. Haven't had a single problem or even indication of a failing pump. When I went to fill her up, the pump only registered 14.3 gallons + the .8 I dumped in a couple minutes before. That's only 15.1 gallons when a "normal" fill is usually around 15.8 or so for me.


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You are letting your gas tank get way too empty. The fuel pump needs the fuel to help keep it cool. Your symptoms are sounding like a bad fuel pump. I had almost the same issue when mine let go. Luckily I was driving around with a spare pump in the trunk in case it happened, since it had 191k on it. Time between first symptom and replacement: 3 hours, only because I had somewhere I needed to be before I could swap the pump.

I strongly believe that not letting my gauge read below 1/4 tank most of the time helped prolong my pump's life, which is exactly what I did. I have no facts to prove it, but there isn't any reason to let it get that low, so I fill it up once it reaches 1/4 mark.

[stephenkirsh]

If only you knew the scarcity of north bay gas stations... Lol