Narrative:

Start of an originating three-day; I arrived at the aircraft first so I started the preflight. We had an MEL for the fuel auto shutoff at refueling station; which required me (captain) to discuss the procedures with the fueler. I decided to do the walkaround since I needed to talk with the fueler. After completing the walkaround and talking with the fueler; I went back to complete my preflight flows. This MEL required me to do a continuing 'info' MEL logbook entry. I completed my flows; which includes checking the crossfeed valve which checked normal. While enroute; I started to empty the center tank fuel. When the center quantity reached 2000; I opened the crossfeed valve and saw that the crossfeed light remained out. I did a lights check and the light remained out so I changed both indicator lights. This didn't change the light indicator so I located the crossfeed valve circuit breaker; which was out. We completed the QRH crossfeed selector inop checklist. There was no fuel imbalance at the completion of the QRH. I contacted dispatch via ACARS and informed them of what we had and that the fuel balance was good. My first officer was the PF. We discussed our options and; since our aircraft was operating normally; we decided to continue. About 30 minutes after we contacted dispatch; our fuel started to become unbalanced. I initiated a phone patch with ops. When I made contact with dispatch and explained what we had and our imbalance was increasing with no way to control; the dispatcher and I decided to divert. I made a PA announcement and briefed the F/as. We amended the release to show the divert and proceeded to the airport. We did not declare an emergency at any time. We were overweight for landing and had a fuel imbalance of approximately 1100 pounds. I wrote up the crossfeed valve and overweight landing.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-700 flight crew dispatched with fuel system MEL reported related anomalies in flight that led to a precautionary divert to a nearby airport.

Narrative: Start of an originating three-day; I arrived at the aircraft first so I started the preflight. We had an MEL for the fuel auto shutoff at refueling station; which required me (Captain) to discuss the procedures with the Fueler. I decided to do the walkaround since I needed to talk with the Fueler. After completing the walkaround and talking with the Fueler; I went back to complete my preflight flows. This MEL required me to do a continuing 'info' MEL logbook entry. I completed my flows; which includes checking the crossfeed valve which checked normal. While enroute; I started to empty the center tank fuel. When the center quantity reached 2000; I opened the crossfeed valve and saw that the crossfeed light remained out. I did a lights check and the light remained out so I changed both indicator lights. This didn't change the light indicator so I located the crossfeed valve circuit breaker; which was out. We completed the QRH Crossfeed Selector Inop Checklist. There was no fuel imbalance at the completion of the QRH. I contacted Dispatch via ACARS and informed them of what we had and that the fuel balance was good. My F/O was the PF. We discussed our options and; since our aircraft was operating normally; we decided to continue. About 30 minutes after we contacted Dispatch; our fuel started to become unbalanced. I initiated a phone patch with Ops. When I made contact with Dispatch and explained what we had and our imbalance was increasing with no way to control; the Dispatcher and I decided to divert. I made a PA announcement and briefed the F/As. We amended the Release to show the divert and proceeded to the airport. We did not declare an emergency at any time. We were overweight for landing and had a fuel imbalance of approximately 1100 pounds. I wrote up the crossfeed valve and overweight landing.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.