Fuel guage - is this normal?

[LagunengrunE36]

I have a question about my fuel gauge. I've noticed that my car has been using more fuel lately, at least according to the gauge. I think the fuel consumption is high, but I can't check since my odometer doesn't work. But I noticed that the fuel gauge goes up whenever I turn right. Not sure if it goes down if I turn left, but basically after I turn right, I get more fuel on the gauge. Then after driving for a bit, the gauge returns to its previous position. Also, I've let it get below the red part of the gauge, and the low fuel light does not come on. I just put $15 worth of gas, which is around 5 gallons, and the gauge went from empty to the halfway mark. Then after driving home, it's a little below the halfway mark. Sometimes it seems to fall down quite quickly even though I'm driving normally -- shifting below 3,000 RPM, etc.

So I'm wondering if this is normal, mainly the gauge going up if I turn right? Does anyone else experience this?

Thanks.

[pharow]

i kinda have the same problem. i really hope sum 1 can help with this ?. i thnk it is the fuel sending unit, but i just want to be sure.

[jlevie]

What car? Early cars that have the two fuel pumps have a single level sensor on the right side and relay on a cross-over tube between the tank halves to equalize fuel levels. Later cars have two fuel level sensors, one on each side of the tank, with the low fuel level switch in the right hand sensor.

In the case cited by the OP I suspect the car to be the later variant with two sensors and the one on the right side isn't working correctly.

[LagunengrunE36]

Oh, I forgot to mention the car. It's a 1990 325is.

Is there a way I can check if the sensor is working correctly?

[dashboardmonkey]

i have noticed that mine does kinda the same thing

[LagunengrunE36]

So I'm not the only one, maybe we can drive around in a circle a few times when we need gas instead of going to a gas station. :p

Also, I forgot to mention in the OP, and I'm not sure if this is related, but the MPG needle does not move from the standard position unless I let off the gas, in which case it moves forwards and comes back. The range option on the OBC is also acting up. It never updates as I'm driving along, but it will sometimes update when I put gas in the car, but not always.

[jlevie]

You can check the sensors with an ohmmeter after removing them from the tank. The range is 0 to ~59ohms.

[LagunengrunE36]

I'll check it out when I have some time. Thanks for the help.