Gas gauge needle - sometimes it lights up, sometimes it doesn't

E46toF22 · 12-15-2014, 02:05 PM

I just picked up my "15 M235i last week (MW/Black, 6MT, MPE). So far I love it.

One thing has come up - when I have my headlights set to auto and the system switches on, the needle on my gas gauge usually lights up with the speedometer/tach needles (and with the gauges themselves). On the other hand, if I manually turn the lighting system on, it's a bit hit and miss as to whether the gas gauge needle will light up as well (although the gauge will be lit). Even on auto, there have been times where the needle doesn't light up along with the others, even though the gauge is lit.

Has anyone else had this issue? Any thoughts on what it might be? Or is it just some sort of feature and not a problem?

Thanks

Cyberdemon · 12-15-2014, 03:35 PM

Sounds like you might just have a faulty LED. Probably not worth taking it to the shop over, but next time your car is in for an oil change you can probably point it out. They may need to replace the gauge cluster if it's more than just a loose connection.

overcoil · 12-15-2014, 04:04 PM

Just curious if you've rotated your dash lights / dimmer-brighter switch to notice if it has any effect on the needle ?

riccappa · 12-16-2014, 01:56 PM

Had this issue once, hasn't repeated itself since.

E46toF22 · 12-17-2014, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the thoughts - and I did try the dimmer switch, Scott - that wasn't it.

Took it into the shop because the key fobs weren't retaining individual settings, so I added the gas gauge needle issue to the list - the delivery specialist, SA and technician huddled around my car and started it 3 times to try to see what I was talking about. And...of course...the gas gauge and needle lit up orange each time (exactly what I was afraid would happen). BUT the 4th time was the charm, and the needle didn't light up - so now I have 3 people who believe me -

- and the tech took a picture of it.

I'm now booked for a shop visit in January, and they'll take a closer look at it then. With the holidays, diagnostic stuff is a lower priority for them. I'll let you know what they find out.

Thanks again for the replies.

12-15-2014, 02:05 PM	#1
E46toF22 New Member 5 Rep 28 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Gas gauge needle - sometimes it lights up, sometimes it doesn't I just picked up my "15 M235i last week (MW/Black, 6MT, MPE). So far I love it. One thing has come up - when I have my headlights set to auto and the system switches on, the needle on my gas gauge usually lights up with the speedometer/tach needles (and with the gauges themselves). On the other hand, if I manually turn the lighting system on, it's a bit hit and miss as to whether the gas gauge needle will light up as well (although the gauge will be lit). Even on auto, there have been times where the needle doesn't light up along with the others, even though the gauge is lit. Has anyone else had this issue? Any thoughts on what it might be? Or is it just some sort of feature and not a problem? Thanks
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12-15-2014, 03:35 PM	#2
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	Sounds like you might just have a faulty LED. Probably not worth taking it to the shop over, but next time your car is in for an oil change you can probably point it out. They may need to replace the gauge cluster if it's more than just a loose connection. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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12-15-2014, 04:04 PM	#3
overcoil Major General 3074 Rep 5,577 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Just curious if you've rotated your dash lights / dimmer-brighter switch to notice if it has any effect on the needle ?
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12-16-2014, 01:56 PM	#4
riccappa Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 14' M235i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (0)	Had this issue once, hasn't repeated itself since.
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12-17-2014, 12:01 PM	#5
E46toF22 New Member 5 Rep 28 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the thoughts - and I did try the dimmer switch, Scott - that wasn't it. Took it into the shop because the key fobs weren't retaining individual settings, so I added the gas gauge needle issue to the list - the delivery specialist, SA and technician huddled around my car and started it 3 times to try to see what I was talking about. And...of course...the gas gauge and needle lit up orange each time (exactly what I was afraid would happen). BUT the 4th time was the charm, and the needle didn't light up - so now I have 3 people who believe me - - and the tech took a picture of it. I'm now booked for a shop visit in January, and they'll take a closer look at it then. With the holidays, diagnostic stuff is a lower priority for them. I'll let you know what they find out. Thanks again for the replies.
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