Vadim-93GXE

The other day, I got stranded because I was waiting for my warning light to come on that tells me I need to fill up, but it never came on and the car died of no fuel. A few minutes ago, I removed the cluster and was observing. Im having trouble understanding what the FSM is trying to say according to checking "Fuel Warning Lamp." I figured it was the bulb itself that is no good... Pulled it out, doesn't seem bad Would there be a way to check if my problem is with the bulb or with some type of connection or something? The FSM says to check the harness I believe, for resistance but I am having trouble understanding which harness it is and how to actually do it.. I know I connect the tester to the battery positive and negative terminals and touch the wires and something is suppose to happen? Would the warning lamp come on after words if some connection is no good?

Basically, Im trying to find out what would be the best way to check if the bulb is no good, or if it's something else. Please excuse me, Im just starting out and trying to learn.

Thanks alot.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

swap it with a KNOWN working bulb that's next to it. IE swap it out for cruise light or seatbelt.

i'm not going to comment on running the tank dry.

Vadim-93GXE

And after I do the swap, I just wait till it's low and see if it lights up? The only way, huh?

And what do you mean you don't wanna comment on me running the tank dry? What, did I decrease the life of my engine by 50% or something?

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

well i guess you can do that again...
or just not let it run below the 1/4 mark??

oh and if you used the seatbelt light to swap it out and the seat belt light works after the swap then the bulb on the low fuel light works.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

my low fuel light only came on once. I still had gas in the tank, and it went off before I ran out of gas. that light is 95% worthless.

Vadim-93GXE

Damn, didn't think of that.

Anyway, great plan. Thanks. Gonna go try it out..

Vadim-93GXE

Yeah, they aren't very accurate. But maybe they are made to just go on and off to convserve bulb life, and you ran out of gas during it's "off" phase?

eric93SE

iTrader: (1)

Its real bad for your FP and injectors to let the car run out of gas, or even get that close. The gas acts as coolant for the electronics.

Also the switch that turns on the idiot light is located with the fuel pump. The contact on the switch can get a bit fould up. When I upgraded my pump I was able to clean the contact (which are just floating in gas) and then the light actually lite more brightly!

greggie195

iTrader: (1)

I just fill my car up when it gets to 1/4. with gas over 2.25 for 89, I cant afford to fill a tank all at once!

Vadim-93GXE

Now that I come to think of it, my gas gauge hasn't been very accurate.. It will be under the 1/4 mark, and will still have up to 50 miles of gas left. I was going to ask if there was a way to make this gauge a bit more accurate, but I guess I'll save that for another time. Maybe it has something to do with the warning lamp problem since it's not the bulb.

Speaking of the bulb, with Dan's help I came to the conclusion that the bulb itself is fine.. Next step please? Thanks.

Wiking

After fillup my gauge sits always at 3/4. Tell me how to get the gauge accurate. One way is to take it off and bend the floater arm in the tank...

Others???

Take the measuring resistor assembly off from the tank and play with the lever while watching the lamp. Most propably its the switch [as already indicated...]

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

the point is that to figure out the light issue it's more trouble than it's worth. why not just keep at least 1/4 tank of gas in the car and you don't ever have to worry about the light?

if you really want to play w/ it then take the sending unit out of the tank w/ the pump and see what's going on. don't blow yourself up.

Vadim-93GXE

Yeah, I see what your saying. Big pita to fix this little problem.. So to do the procedure you mentioned I would need to take out the tank itself? Probably gonna save it for later.. Just wanna tackle this issue alone without a "mechanics" help, once it gets warmer. Speaking of weather, how do you like todays weather? It was nearly spring yesterday.. Only in NY.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Um let's say you adjust the float so when the light comes on when there is almost NO gas left. Makes sense right? Right up to the point where you realize you are 20 miles from the nearest gas station.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

We had 60s and snow yesterday

Vadim-93GXE

Yeah, sounds like a plan, but I'd have to get the light working in the first place. And I really wouldn't have to worry about being 20 miles away from a gas station, since we have one here on every corner.

Vadim-93GXE

Beat ya to it.. Had that about 3 weeks ago. Today it went from rain to snow in 30 minutes.