Fuel Gauge, Temp Gauge, and clock...oh my!

kwayocu · 02-04-2009, 09:51 PM

Ok, so all was going smoothly until heading home for lunch, out of no where my fuel gauge went from full to empty, and my temp gauge went from normal to cold, and my factory digital clock blanked out. Restarted the car and no change. I read on here someone with similar problem, but I did not have a chance to check my brake lights yet. I noticed that if i hold the clock button the clock will come on for a few seconds then blink off again.

What gives????? Any Ideas?

tiFreak · 02-04-2009, 11:15 PM

have you checked the fuses?

kwayocu · 02-04-2009, 11:48 PM

my fuses are all good, and i also have no brake lights. JOY.

kwayocu · 02-05-2009, 12:12 AM

Ok i totally missed it, it was fuse 46 (brake) change it out, all is working as it should once again!!!!! Keep you posted.

championc · 06-30-2010, 02:00 PM

Hi all,

I'm having exactly the same problem (not sure about the clock because I retrofitted an OBC). However, my problem is not permanent. I'll be driving along and one dial will die ad then come back again. Sometimes they both die but more often, they go independently.

I've checked all fuses and all seem fine. I totally removed 46 to scrutinize it before plugging it back in again.

Any suggestions

C

bird67 · 07-14-2010, 12:30 PM

Me, too, exact same problem. ANYONE?

EDIT: Found an answer on Bimmerforums.com:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...=obc+temp+fuel

bird67 · 07-15-2010, 02:08 AM

Further update. No. 46 fuse was blown. Replaced it; blew again. Checked the taillight bulbs, 3 in total were out. It seems the bulbs provide resistance, and when the bulbs blow there is insufficient resistance - causing the fuse to blow. This fuse controls the speed control, gas gauge, temp gauge, and obc/clock. Replaced bulb, replace fuse, voila. No more problems.

**J!m** · 07-15-2010, 09:18 PM

Well, a bulb does provide resistance, and when it blows, that resistance becomes infinite (open circuit), so I don't see that as causing the fuse to blow... Generally a fuse will blow because there is too little resistance (short to ground- higher amperage draw than the fuse's rating). In the referenced post at BfC, it was noted that one filament came loose and shorted across the other inside the bulb. Strange failure, but plausible.

Replacing the bulbs and fuses fixed it.

One other thing to keep in mind with these tail light related electrical problems:

Other E36 cars have had serious wiring problems with the trunk harness. The wire insulation rubs through and the wires short to one another, and in extreme cases, cause a fire in the trunk! I have not heard first-hand that this has happened with a ti yet, but the wiring is the same vintage and from the same vendor, so the potential is there.

So, if bulbs and fuses don't get you up and running again, you have to carefully check the wiring harness in the hatch and trunk area for wear/defects.

**wolferj-RIP** · 01-27-2012, 09:02 PM

Going to bump this thread as proof that searching is the key to success!

Just had this happen yesterday on the way home from work, fuse 46. Fuse box lid says it's for Cruise, doesn't mention all the other related components...

took less time to search and fix the issue than post and wait for a response for help...

Chigga · 03-24-2014, 03:40 PM

I just want to say thanks for this thread I was able to fixed the issue quickly, it's a mystery on how fuse 46 can cause all the other issue.

jerrytheautodoctor · 06-11-2014, 09:05 PM

me too, thanks for the thread! just finished an M44 swap on a customer's ti that had been extremely overheated, got everything back together and no fuel gage, temp gage read hot all the time. was puzzled and started to look at wiring diagrams when the boss came to me with your find. sure enough fuse 46 was blown.

jca · 06-12-2014, 03:02 AM

Note to self: keep an eye on fuse 46!

**BlackBMWs** · 09-10-2014, 05:46 AM

I found this thread and got excited!

Started the 97 Sport today after work and noticed by fuel gauge was totally empty, my temp gauge didn't work, the brake, park brake and service indicator were all lit. Clock is still working, all exterior lights are working. All fuses look intact. Drove home fine.

After reading this thread, I checked: Fuse 46 is intact.

Still does not work properly. Nothing obvious.

Will still search, but if anyone has a clue, I'm all ears. Thanks!

jca · 09-11-2014, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

I found this thread and got excited!

Started the 97 Sport today after work and noticed by fuel gauge was totally empty, my temp gauge didn't work, the brake, park brake and service indicator were all lit. Clock is still working, all exterior lights are working. All fuses look intact. Drove home fine.

After reading this thread, I checked: Fuse 46 is intact.

Still does not work properly. Nothing obvious.

Will still search, but if anyone has a clue, I'm all ears. Thanks!

This is a long shot, but check your battery connections. I had a similar problem once after I had forgotten to tighten the connections back up. Good luck, John

**BlackBMWs** · 09-11-2014, 03:56 AM

Thanks John! Gremlin... Gone totally this morning. I hate intermittent issues... I'll check, thanks!

1998 & 1997 318ti Sport Schwartz II
1995 318ti Active Alpineweib III

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