BMW X6 Fuel Gauge Issue Causes Random Stalling

Hey there! I've had some basic experience working on cars and faced something very similar with my 2014 BMW X3 (also had an X5 before). Had the exact same symptoms, stuck fuel gauge, check engine light, and unusual stalling. Turned out to be a blown fuse for the fuel pump circuit. My trusted mechanic diagnosed it pretty quickly, replaced the faulty fuse, and everything worked perfectly after that. The whole thing cost me 52 Euro, including diagnostic time. Before you jump to conclusions about the fuel level sensor though, could you share: What error code you're getting? How long has this been happening? Does it occur more when the tank is below a certain level? This info would help figure out if you're dealing with the same issue I had or something else.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Mine's also at 58791 KM and just had its service last month. The error code I'm getting is P0463, and this started happening about two weeks ago. I've noticed it occurs more frequently when the tank gets below quarter full, at least from what I can tell with the faulty gauge. Interesting that yours was just a blown fuse, that would be a much cheaper fix than replacing the entire fuel sensor unit. Did your mechanic mention any other potential causes during diagnosis? Really hoping it's something as simple as a fuse in my case too.

Hey again! Thanks for providing those details. Actually, my case turned out to be a bit different from what I initially thought. While my first issue was indeed fixed with a fuse replacement, I later experienced similar problems, and that P0463 code you mentioned is eerily familiar. In my X3, when the problem came back, it turned out the wiring harness connecting to the fuel pump assembly was corroded. The fuse fix was just a temporary solution because the corroded wiring was causing the circuit to draw too much power, which kept blowing the fuse. My mechanic eventually had to replace the wiring harness and part of the fuel pump assembly. The total repair cost was quite a bit more than just the fuse, around 650 for parts and labor. But it completely solved the problem, and I haven't had any issues since then. Given that you're getting the same error code and similar symptoms, especially with that quarter-tank trigger point, it really sounds like you might be dealing with the same thing. Have you noticed any other electrical quirks? In my case, I also had occasional flickering dashboard lights before the main problems started. If you're experiencing anything similar, it might be worth having your mechanic check the wiring harness specifically rather than just jumping straight to replacing the sensor unit.

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! Actually, now that you mention it, I have noticed my dashboard lights flickering occasionally, especially at night. I just didn't connect the dots until you brought it up. That's really helpful to know about the wiring harness being the root cause in your case, definitely beats replacing the entire sensor unit blindly. I'll make sure to mention the corroded wiring harness possibility to my mechanic and have them check that specifically. While 650 isn't exactly cheap, it's way better than some of the quotes I've been seeing for full sensor replacements. Plus, if it actually fixes the underlying issue rather than just treating symptoms, it's worth it. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's given me a much clearer direction on what to look into. I'll book it in for next week and hopefully get this sorted once and for all!