Fuel Gauge and Car Lurching
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
E280
Fuel Gauge and Car Lurching
Hi,
I was hoping for some thoughts and insight on the following:
Recently, my fuel gauge is no longer showing any bars, despite the fact there is fuel in the tank. Prior to that I also started noticing that the car occassionally 'lurches' from a start position (ex traffic light). This only typically happens at the first or second instance of the car's trip. Car definitely does not lurch once I've been travelling for 5+ minutes.
The only other thing that I will note is that I notice the fuel gauge issue soon after giving a friend a booster jump.
Not exactly sure when the battery was last replaced, but it hasn't been any time recently. I believe it may be 2016 or 2017 so that could be at play too. I did a battery test this morning after pulling out of garage and it was reading sub 12V.
I appreciate the responses of all the smart folks in the forum.. You guys.gals are fantastic
I was hoping for some thoughts and insight on the following:
Recently, my fuel gauge is no longer showing any bars, despite the fact there is fuel in the tank. Prior to that I also started noticing that the car occassionally 'lurches' from a start position (ex traffic light). This only typically happens at the first or second instance of the car's trip. Car definitely does not lurch once I've been travelling for 5+ minutes.
The only other thing that I will note is that I notice the fuel gauge issue soon after giving a friend a booster jump.
Not exactly sure when the battery was last replaced, but it hasn't been any time recently. I believe it may be 2016 or 2017 so that could be at play too. I did a battery test this morning after pulling out of garage and it was reading sub 12V.
I appreciate the responses of all the smart folks in the forum.. You guys.gals are fantastic
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
E280
Just an update. The fuel gauge is back working and so far, no noticeable lurching of automobile. Last night, I decided to remove the engine air filters and give them a good cleaning. They were dirty but not what I would consider anything of significance. Nonetheless, I did as best a cleaning as I could.
The fuel gauge didn't start working immediately this morning. I ran a 5km errand. When I got back into the car, i noticed it then was working.
Not sure if it was the air filters but nothing else I can point to.
I'd be interested in any thoughts but in the meantime, I will update with any new developments hoping this might help someone else.
The fuel gauge didn't start working immediately this morning. I ran a 5km errand. When I got back into the car, i noticed it then was working.
Not sure if it was the air filters but nothing else I can point to.
I'd be interested in any thoughts but in the meantime, I will update with any new developments hoping this might help someone else.
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 161
Likes: 33
From: Orlando, Florida
2005 E320 CDI (SOLD); 2008 ML320 CDI 4MATIC
My fuel guage will occasionally disappear when it gets below 1/4 tank or so. This is the DTC I found from a recent scan: 9135 Sensor 2 for fuel level sensor is jammed marked as 'stored' in instrument cluster control unit Fault memory
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 2,044
From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
I assume you already checked for fuses.
If you have a scanner that read MB specific codes, you should be able to read both fuel levels. It will tell you if the floats are working or stuck in the tank. If the floats read well, and the cluster still with nobars, you found your problems. Otherwise, you need to open the tank, and test the floats.
The use a reostat, which may b worn out,, rusted,, etc
If you have a scanner that read MB specific codes, you should be able to read both fuel levels. It will tell you if the floats are working or stuck in the tank. If the floats read well, and the cluster still with nobars, you found your problems. Otherwise, you need to open the tank, and test the floats.
The use a reostat, which may b worn out,, rusted,, etc
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 161
Likes: 33
From: Orlando, Florida
2005 E320 CDI (SOLD); 2008 ML320 CDI 4MATIC
Bidenflation keeps fuel prices moving up so fast, I never let it drop below 1/2 tank anymore for time being anyway, thinking of getting EGR welded shut so I can start brewing & burning biodiesel from used cooking oil again like back in old days w/ my w124 (R.I.P. old gal). Since my fuel tank issue is intermittent, I just been adding Liqui-Moly super diesel additive every other tank fill or 1000 miles whichever comes 1st. I'll call Mike Roe when it's time to open fuel tanks.
