Curvy fuel light

[daveyrach]

Now I have read numerous threads about this and i came to the conclusion that the light flashes when low and goes solid when really low.

Yesterday my fuel light cam on (flashing) on my way to work which is a 12 mile commute and I left it as i was running late and on the way home I did not fill up as the petrol stations near work are 4p a litre dearer than the one less than 1/2 mile from my house so I thought I'd go there only to find it closed because they were taking a delivery. So naturally I thought it's only down the road I'll go in the morning.

Started the bike this morning, struggles, then was running rough as a badgers behind I thought if need be I will coast down the hill to the petrol station but no more than 100yrds from my house she dies, tank is as dry as an AA meeting, by my calculations that is 24miles from the light coming on to being bone dry, i thought it was more than this, luckily i has a can of petrol in the shed for the lawn mower so after pushing her home and plonking that in there I went to the petrol station.

My question is is my light broken or not working as it should? Did get much lower MPG than usual but I have had charging issues which are now solved I would put it down to the weak battery/spark during that period.

[phi-dan]

Chances are it's a broken sensor. Either one of the thermistors has failed (in which case replace the sensor) or one of the thermistors has fallen off the sensor bracket-thing (in which case solder it back on)

[Geese]

If i remember right the reserve on her should be 5L ?

So you got 24miles to 5 L??

If that right you're doing 13L/100km which is wayyyy off.

[phi-dan]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vtLNUw4JJuo/To63oVmZjuI/AAAAAAAAAdk/6tW2IzihhPw/s750/fuel_level.png

[daveyrach]

If i remember right the reserve on her should be 5L ?

So you got 24miles to 5 L??

If that right you're doing 13L/100km which is wayyyy off.

Like i say i had a R/R issue and battery died, weak battery or spark would increase fuel consumption also only got 123miles out of entire tank (I normally get 130-140+), but a lot of that was sat in my garden revving testing the electrics.

How easy it that sensor to remove? You dnt have to drain the tank do you??

[johnnyrod]

I thought it was half a gallon when the light first came on?

[daveyrach]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vtLNUw4JJuo/To63oVmZjuI/AAAAAAAAAdk/6tW2IzihhPw/s750/fuel_level.png

Where is A & B I think the scan has covered them up as its B&W

[phi-dan]

They're not labelled (at least, not on the copy I have :rolleyes:)

I think they mean that A is the one at the top, B at the bottom (with the wires coming out the bottom)

[daveyrach]

How do turn them ON then?

[phi-dan]

Switch is "ON" when not immersed in fuel.
Bulb will flash when 1 switch (either) is not immersed, and go steady when both are not immersed.

The sensor assembly is in the bottom of the tank, so it's safest to drain it.

[NTECUK]

Mine about 3/4 of a gallon .
You should empty the tank .it works by getting the sensor warm that turns on the light. The petrol cools it to keep the light off.

[DJ123]

iirc its about 4.5 litres it flashes, then when 2 litres are left is goes solid

[daveyrach]

Well mine does not go solid at all was still flashing even when it was bone dry.

[NTECUK]

I'd check the continuity of both senders .if one is very different , then its the sender asy.

[daveyrach]

I have a multi meter, can you just tell me where to measure.

[NTECUK]

Substitute the battery and bulb in the test show from the manual for the multi meter on continuity .

[embee]

If it's a thermal type switch (seems reasonable) it might well not work with a multimeter. Might need the 12V to drive it.

Just guessing, don't know.

[NTECUK]

Our car ones work same way and it's allot safer than 12 v and a bulb

[Rob969]

Mr Haynes says approx 3.5litres for flashing and 1.5 for solid

[adew1972]

Mine only flashes as well. I'm not bothered though, after running out before I make sure I fill it up as soon as it starts to flicker ;)