BMW 3 Series Hybrid Fuel Gauge Nightmare: Multiple Failures

Hey there. Had nearly identical issues with my 2020 BMW 5 Series Hybrid last winter. The symptoms matched yours exactly, stuck fuel gauge, CEL, and stalling. Turned out it wasn't just the fuel level sensor. The main fuse for the fuel pump was defective, causing intermittent power supply issues to both the pump and sensors. Fixed it at another garage after my regular one couldn't diagnose it properly. The repair wasn't particularly complex, but finding the root cause was tricky. The mechanic had to test the entire fuel delivery system to isolate the problem. They replaced the fuse unit and recalibrated the fuel level sensor. The car's been running perfectly since then. This wasn't a serious issue in terms of permanent damage, but definitely needed immediate attention to prevent getting stranded somewhere. Based on your description, I'd bet you're dealing with something similar in the electrical system rather than a mechanical problem.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Would you mind telling me roughly how much the repair set you back? Also curious if you've had any other problems since they fixed it? Just want to get an idea of what I'm looking at cost-wise and if it solved everything for good.

Hey again! Happy to help out with more details. After getting it fixed, I haven't had a single problem with the fuel system, it's working perfectly now. The total repair was actually quite reasonable at 52€ for the fuse replacement. The sensor fault cleared up once they fixed the fuse issue, so no extra costs there. I know these kinds of issues can be worrying, but it turned out to be a pretty straightforward fix once they found the actual problem. The fuel gauge is working reliably now, no more check engine light, and the engine runs smooth as butter at idle. Really glad I got it sorted quickly though, definitely wouldn't want to risk getting stranded with a fuel system problem. If your symptoms are matching what I had, you're probably looking at a similar repair cost. Just make sure to find a mechanic who knows these hybrid systems well. The first place I went to was clueless, but the second shop diagnosed it right away. Let me know if you need any other details about the repair. Always happy to help another BMW owner!

Just wanted to update you all. Finally got my car fixed yesterday and wow, what a relief! Found a new mechanic who actually specializes in hybrid systems. Turned out you were spot on, it was a faulty fuse in the fuel pump circuit causing all those problems. The repair was super reasonable, just under 60 bucks including labor. The best part? The car's running like new again. No more stalling, fuel gauge is working perfectly, and that annoying check engine light is finally off. Really glad I didn't go back to my old mechanic who probably would've replaced half the engine without fixing the actual problem! Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. Sometimes it's the simple things that can drive you crazy! At least now I've got a reliable mechanic for future issues. This experience definitely taught me the importance of finding someone who really knows these hybrid systems.