Guys,

Strange and annoying: i have a 97' e34 530i with a sometimes dead, sometimes alive dasboard fuel tank indicator needle.

When the car has been parked in the sun for a while and it is hot inside the car, the needle comes to life; I start the car and the needle on the dash jumps up to tell me how much fuel is left in the tank (e.g 40 litres). I drive for a while, the needle drops back to 20 litres or so. (??)

Should the car be parked in the shade or when it's dark, and the car is then started, the needle doesn't move. Dead. I drive for a while; it remains 'dead'.

I suspect this problem be electronic and heat related--expanding, contracting. Trouble is, i don't know how to solve it.

Thanks for all the help so far. This forum has been reaaly great!!

Bart