[Isby]

Morning All- Replacing the fuel pump on my 2019 X5. I have the new pump but the plug on top is not compatible with the connector on the car’s fuel pump harness. There’s a video on YouTube where a guy (replacing the pump on a ‘18 M550) explains that a new harness is needed to make this connection, but I can’t find the part number for the new harness. Anyone have this part number? Thanks!!

[TurtleBoy]

Welcome to the forum. Isn't the original part available?. What symptoms are you experiencing that you need to replace it?

[Isby]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Welcome to the forum. Isn't the original part available?. What symptoms are you experiencing that you need to replace it?

Thanks!! It does not appear that original part is available, as confirmed by the YouTube video I noted. I’m getting inaccurate fuel readings at the gauge and the pump and level sender are one unit — unlike my air-cooled Porsche, from a much simpler era — So figured I would just replace it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Isby

Thanks!! It does not appear that original part is available, as confirmed by the YouTube video I noted. I’m getting inaccurate fuel readings at the gauge and the pump and level sender are one unit — unlike my air-cooled Porsche, from a much simpler era — So figured I would just replace it.

Good luck.

[Isby]

Thanks!!

[Isby]

Update: I was able to find the Genuine BMW replacement harness kit at Turner Motorsport. For my 2019 X5, the BMW part number is 61125A23B54. Now for the installation …

[chefwong]

That's one expensive harness....
Still came out cheaper than buying a OE pump ?

[Isby]

OE pump was not available as best as I could tell (and as confirmed by several BMW dealers).

[Alan l.]

make sure you have less than 50 mile range in the tank before doing it. I did mine at 50miles left and there was still a good amount of gas in there.

[Isby]

Thanks Alan - appreciate the heads up.

[niksss]

Originally Posted by Isby

Thanks Alan - appreciate the heads up.

Hey, what exactly problems are you getting ? I have this strange fuel level problem. When I fill up the car, the range and fuel level do not move, they stay for example at almost empty and 30 range. Then when I lock the car and leave it for some time it shows the real fuel level, and when I start driving the fuel level starts to drop very rapidly again until it reaches almost empty and this repeats again when I leave the car for some time.


Did replacing the pump fix your problem ? Also did you have any codes ?

[Isby]

When I filled up, the gauge would read only about 3/4. Then my son ran out of gas when the range showed about 100 miles to go. The fuel level sender is integrated into the pump (at least on my ‘19 X5). When I opened up the tank, I noticed that the fuel pump was basically loose in there, i.e., it was not firmly attached to the bottom of the tank. I went ahead and replaced the pump, but I suspect that re-attaching the old pump to the tank bottom may have remedied the gauge problems. In any event, it was an expensive and time consuming job to change the pump, but no more wonky fuel readings. I’m sure the dealer would charge a bloody fortune to do this job.

[Isby]

I didn’t check for codes. I had a feeling from the get-go that it was the fuel level sender in the pump.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Isby

When I filled up, the gauge would read only about 3/4. Then my son ran out of gas when the range showed about 100 miles to go. The fuel level sender is integrated into the pump (at least on my ‘19 X5). When I opened up the tank, I noticed that the fuel pump was basically loose in there, i.e., it was not firmly attached to the bottom of the tank. I went ahead and replaced the pump, but I suspect that re-attaching the old pump to the tank bottom may have remedied the gauge problems. In any event, it was an expensive and time consuming job to change the pump, but no more wonky fuel readings. I’m sure the dealer would charge a bloody fortune to do this job.

Did you by any change take pix that you are willing to share?

[Isby]

I think I have the old pump. I’ll try to demonstrate the “detachment” issue with photos of that pump. Stay tuned.

[Isby]

I’ve attached photos of 2 sides of the old pump. The black “float” tells the gauge how much gas is in the tank. At the bottom of the pump, you’ll see a groove cut out on one side and what I’ll call a bar on the other. The groove fits into a plastic ridge sitting on the bottom of the tank. On the other side, there is a plastic connector on the tank bottom that locks in over the bar. Once I got that in, the pump was solidly attached to the tank. Sorry I don’t have photos of the tank bottom.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Isby

I’ve attached photos of 2 sides of the old pump. The black “float” tells the gauge how much gas is in the tank. At the bottom of the pump, you’ll see a groove cut out on one side and what I’ll call a bar on the other. The groove fits into a plastic ridge sitting on the bottom of the tank. On the other side, there is a plastic connector on the tank bottom that locks in over the bar. Once I got that in, the pump was solidly attached to the tank. Sorry I don’t have photos of the tank bottom.

Thank you! So I take it the pump was not properly snapped into its receptacle at the bottom of the tank. Meaning that when you removed the original pump, it came out way to easily, you did not have to release the locking tab to get it out.

[Isby]

100% Correct. The old pump came right out without doing anything in terms of releasing the locking tab. Maybe it was never seated correctly from the factory and worsened over time??? I’m not sure.

[niksss]

That is really good info. Mine is also an 2019 X5 40i, but also the car had an accident near the rear right door, on the bottom. It might have detached the pump on mine aswell. I think I will open it before replacing it. Thanks for the great info and photos. I will also report how it goes.

And one more question. What tool did you use to open the fuel tank and remove the pump ? We tried with a screwdriver and a hammer but it didn’t move a bit. Some special tool or ?

Actually two more questions - is there a second fuel level sensor ? Because I am getting codes about left and right fuel level sensors both beigng open curcuit, but when I search the diagrams I find only the one that is in the pump ?

[Isby]

Attached is a photo of the tool I used to open the tank. After struggling with a hammer and punch, I got this tool and had the cover off in 2 minutes. I’m unaware of a second fuel level sensor, but I can’t claim to be an expert on this subject.

[niksss]

Originally Posted by Isby

100% Correct. The old pump came right out without doing anything in terms of releasing the locking tab. Maybe it was never seated correctly from the factory and worsened over time??? I’m not sure.

My problem was the same as yours, the pump was detached. Attached it and it worked. Didnt use the tool. Thanks for the heads up because I was going to order a new pump.

[Isby]

No problem!!