Non-working gas gauge in RID display

[wzellwzell@yahoo.com]

My 1995 R1100 RS has a problem. The gas gauge in the RID (bars) is blank. All other functions on the RID work fine. Every once in a while the first start after a fillup, the gauge bars will show as full for about 5 seconds then go blank. During normal riding the gauge remains blank. No flickers, just dead. The warning light works fine, so I manage my fuel the old fashioned way. Odometer and warning light.

Does anyone out there in Beemer land have a solution they can write in small words with instructions for a fix (if there is one) laid out for a moron?

Btw, BMW wants close to $500.00 for a new one and the used market when I see one is $250.00ish. Too much for a gas gauge in my opinion.

Thanks

 

[happy wanderer]

Check the wiring harness and the connector on the back of the RID display first. If it looks OK the trouble might be in the tank.

Open up the gas tank and pull the fuel pump assembly out. Next to the pump and filter you'll see a little circuit board with a wiper attached to the float side. Get a Q-Tip and soak it in isopropyl alcohol and clean that circuit board off. The contacts get grungy.

Also check the connector with the two blue wires that go to it. Maybe something is loose or intermittent but maybe it's the wiper/circuit board. It works like a rheostat.

 

[wzellwzell@yahoo.com]

It's moron time

Thanks for the response. One question; how do I open the tank?

 

[jduke]

Get a Clymers Repair manual for your bike. The information will really help.
Basically you take both side panels off, take the dash inserts off each side, loosen a bolt holding the tank to the frame from each side, if the bike has quick disconnects, disconnect them, if not, gently (too much pushing and pulling will cause the hard fuel rails to break at the fuel pressure regulator) pull the fuel hose's from each fuel rail, disconnect the electrical plug to the fuel pump.
Turn the tank over and pour the rest of the gas from the tank into a container.
Look for the metal plate on the inside of the right side, mark the location of the fuel pump plate with a white wax marker.
Remove screws, examine large o ring, replace if necessary.
Gently pull the fuel pump out the opening. Pay careful attention to the fuel pump screen, if there are any tears or breaks, replace.
Now would be a good time to consider moving the fuel filter to the outside of the tank.

 

[wzellwzell@yahoo.com]

JDuke, thanks, thanks, thanks.

 

[69ZEFF65]

Had the same deal with my 04 GSA

Yep the dealer replaced the read out cluster under an extended warranty but it wouldn't touch the stuff in the tank. I pulled mine out gave it a good cleaning with some Al-Kee-Haul and it started working again. It does falter once in a while but I track my odometer miles. With that RS if you can't verify if the filter, screen and the rubber lines in the tank have every been inspected or replaced I would advise getting all new to replace it all while you got it apart. I had a 94 RS that pee-ed gas out the vevt line and found it was the original hoses in the tank that had just rotted away, that gunk that it turns into could be the culprit.