BobbyT

Just returned from a Christmas trip to Napa, and this is the first time I've run the fuel level much below 1/2 tank. Both times on this trip when I let the fuel level approach 1/4 tank, the fuel gauge bars all suddenly disappeared, and the estimated range went from something over 100 miles to ---miles.

Anyone else experienced this problem?

220S

Did the light go on? The first week I owned it I ran it down past 1/4 and then to when the light came on. A few bars were still showing. I sorta forgot as I was going up the PCH (nice sunset) and eventually the bars did go down and the light went off. Mileage did go to ---miles, as you mention. But I think that's only because it's based on your current mpg in the computer(?) I drove another 15 miles to a station.

But, no, it didn't go from 100 to zero all of a sudden. The light came on and the tank was way less than 1/4, so I wasn't going any 100 miles more as it was. I sometimes fill up only when the light comes on. Too lazy to stop.

Polar Bear

I've had this happen one time but only after a partial fillup and on a 2005. I assume I had around 3/4 tank after the partial fillup and the tank showed no bars and range showed "---"

It COULD be a software or version coding issue (wrong tank capacity) with the I/C. I would recommend having the dealer look at it with SDS to see if the I/C is indeed correct.

BobbyT

Although this is my third E-class, I don't know some of the acronyms--what is SDS?

LaicepsYdobon

I only fill up when the light comes on.

Bobby it could be you have a faulty fuel sensor. I'm sure your SA will be able to either A) calibrate it for you of B) swap it out for a new one.

konigstiger

A faulty sensor may be causing your problem, mention DTB P-B-47.00/36a AUG08. SDS = MB Star Diagnostic System.

n-yo-dreamz

I've encountered this problem twice now. Both times after a fairly long drive and at higher elevations than normal. I had more than a quarter tank before this last episode and drove some 200+ km before filling up. I stopped at a dealership and showed the problem to a technician who said he'd never seen this problem before. Once I filled up, the problem disappeared both times. Strange though.....Hopefully someone will post the diagnostic results here.

n-yo-dreamz

DTB P-B-47.00/36a ??? Is that the part number for the sensor?

Thanks!

Barry45RPM

Its a Dealer Technical Bulletin number... they are numbered "problem fix" memos issued to dealers.

n-yo-dreamz

Ahhh...I am a sponge...continuing to soak up this knowledge!
Is there a method of obtaining the information contained in the memo without having to go to the dealership?

konigstiger

That would be me PM your email address include VIN if you want a MB datacard showing your vehicle’s equipment, codes, initial delivery date, etc.

BobbyT

I dropped my E350 off at M-B of Palm Springs Wednesday to have this problem corrected, and just now picked it up. The fuel level is right at 1/4 tank, where the problem occurred, so I'll know soon if it is corrected.

Testing found fault code 9134 for sensor 1, fuel level jammed.

They replaced the entire fuel tank--the work order states that the fuel tank is one unit, no separate parts available. I got a quick look at their copy of the work order, and saw that the list price of the fuel tank is about $1400, plus $400 labor for installation, another $100 or so for drain-refill and prepare the old tank for disposal, plus a rental car (the loaner they had planned to give me was stolen shortly before I arrived!), so this is a $2,000 repair to correct a faulty sensor. Glad this is under warranty...

konigstiger

Fault code 9134 (sensor 1 for fuel level is jammed) is normally resolved by replacing the sensor only however, Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV - code 917) require full tank replacement.

BobbyT

Well, I don't think it is fixed. I drove the car until the fuel gauge dropped to three bars, say about 1/8 tank, when the low fuel warning light finally came on, while the range kept dropping slowly. The range then began dropping more rapidly from 60s to 30s as I climbed a hill near my house, when suddenly the fuel gauge and range went blank, and the low fuel warning light went out. Shouldn't the low fuel warning light stay on, and the fuel gauge show a reading down to two and then one bars? I would expect the low fuel warning light to stay on until the car ran out of fuel. I plan to put just a couple of gallons of fuel in the car and then take it back to the dealer and have them check for fault codes.

220S

Bobby T, that's what mine does. Sometimes the range lasts on the dash read-out until about 15 miles, and that's all depending on the mpg at that particular time. After you are scraping the very bottom of the tank, it just sort of quits saying anything.

However, mine never behaved like you described in your original post, so I'm assuming things have been fixed with the (expensive) repair. Unless you just did a needless repair on MB's nickel

I don't think gauges are that precise to be running that close to empty; i.e., was it really 1/8 of a tank or more like very close to really being empty? And the read-out is based on a computer generated cumulative mpg/driving habit at that time.

And esp on a hill when whatever fuel is left is sloshing around from side to side. Remember, you have a 993.... the oil level gauge only works precisely when the car's on level ground.

I just look for a gas station when the light goes on.......

BobbyT

Hi 220S,
I could live with this gauge behavior, I suppose, but I'd really rather have the low fuel warning light stay on. I know it does on my 993--I ran it dry once.

I'm confident the actual fuel level was about 1/8 of a tank when the gauge went blank, but the blank gauge could have been because of ascending the hill.

BobbyT

I took the car back to M-B of Palm Springs again yesterday, and they found the same fault code again. Apparently, the sensor is quite sensitive to its clock position when it is installed, and if tightened all the way (as I assume most techs would tighten it--must be a bayonet mount), the float hits the side of the tank when it nears the lower limit of travel, and causes havoc with the fuel gauge. They assured me it is fixed this time. They added and removed fuel from the tank while watching what the gauge was doing.

When I picked it up, the fuel gauge showed only two bars, the low fuel warning light was on, and the range showed 30-odd miles. I drove a few miles to the gas station, and the range kept dropping, while the warning light stayed on. Each time I cycled the key at the gas station before filling, the gauge and lights performed as expected, and the "Reserve Fuel" legend displayed. I'm confident it's fixed now.

BobbyT

I forgot to mention, the remedy was to back the sensor off about 1/16 inch from fully tight...

220S

Glad to hear it's fixed. Let us know if the warning light goes off after a while when you're really, really low. That's what mine does: the light comes on and then if you keep going until the bars are completely gone and the mileage to empty reads ----, the light then goes off. That's when I'm assuming I'm pretty much out of fuel(?) The one time I let it do that, a gas station was within sight.

Polar Bear

LOL - so I guess at that point it just gives up on you stopping for fuel?

BobbyT

220S,
This is what my car was doing, so I think you have the same problem. I think the low fuel warning light is supposed to stay on. Next time you are near a dealer, you may want them to read the stored fault codes.

Johnny L Ortega

Mine has the same issue except the code is sensor level 2 is jammed. Does anyone know what side 1 and 2 are. Passenger or driver??

Leej

@Johnny L Ortega did you get this resolved. I am having the similar issue. Local indy shop recently replaced fuel senders due to fuel leak. Fuel gauge was working fine for about 2 weeks, then all of the sudden shows nothing, low fuel light is NOT on.

Local Indy shop couldn't figure it out.

I scanned it with DAS and got "Fuel tank sensor tight installation recognition: The fuel tank signal is not plausible."
and "Code 9135 Sensor 2 for fuel level is jammed."

Which side is Sensor 2, and do I just loosen the ring slightly? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Lee
2004 E320

Leej

Closing the loop on my issue above (sender had been replaced, then fuel gauge showed nothing). Took it to the Dealership, and they said sender had been installed incorrectly. I was told that the lines inside were keeping the float from moving freely. They reinstalled and everything is working now.

Lee

cetialpha5

You do realize that there's a 15 year warranty on the tank right with unlimited miles? If you had taken it to the dealership, they would have replaced the entire tank including the fuel sender and all for free.