Fuel warning light never come on

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Echo, Jul 18, 2003.

  1. Echo

    Echo Guest

    Fuel warning light never comes on. The bulb is OK and the gauge works fine.

    Anyone offer any info or point me to a help or FAQ on this sort of problem ?

    95 Integra LS 5MT 4DR

    Thanks
    David
     
    Echo, Jul 18, 2003
    #1
  2. The empty tank sensor is a thermistor (resistor that conducts better
    when hot). You should be able to measure some current flowing through
    the wire even when the bulb is dark. When the fuel is no longer high
    enough to bathe the sensor, the sensor becomes hot from the current
    flow, it conducts better, and then the bulb glows. If you don't see
    several mA flowing when the ignition is on, you have a broken connection.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Jul 19, 2003
    #2
  3. The empty tank sensor is a thermistor (resistor that conducts better
    when hot). You should be able to measure some current flowing through
    the wire even when the bulb is dark. When the fuel is no longer high
    enough to bathe the sensor, the sensor becomes hot from the current
    flow, it conducts better, and then the bulb glows. If you don't see
    several mA flowing when the ignition is on, you have a broken connection.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Jul 19, 2003
    #3
  4. Echo

    Echo Guest

    Thank you all for your replies.

    The indicator used to come on when the fuel was low, now it does not come on
    even though I am below the red mark. I had planned to run it dry but the
    jackasses in Vancouver like to crank up the price of gas on weekends so I
    had to fill up or face a 12c/litter increase.

    The current test sounds logical. So where is the best place to measure the
    current ? At the bulb end ? Or simply look for a voltage drop across the
    bulb ?

    Is there a separate circuit going all the way to the tank just for the Low
    Fuel light ? Is this a normal way to do this ?

    Is the lamp test at ignition on supposed to illuminate the Low Fuel lamp ?

    David
     
    Echo, Jul 19, 2003
    #4
  5. Echo

    Echo Guest

    Thank you all for your replies.

    The indicator used to come on when the fuel was low, now it does not come on
    even though I am below the red mark. I had planned to run it dry but the
    jackasses in Vancouver like to crank up the price of gas on weekends so I
    had to fill up or face a 12c/litter increase.

    The current test sounds logical. So where is the best place to measure the
    current ? At the bulb end ? Or simply look for a voltage drop across the
    bulb ?

    Is there a separate circuit going all the way to the tank just for the Low
    Fuel light ? Is this a normal way to do this ?

    Is the lamp test at ignition on supposed to illuminate the Low Fuel lamp ?

    David
     
    Echo, Jul 19, 2003
    #5
  6. Echo

    David Keen Guest

    Several months ago I heard that Shell fuels were causing problems with
    Chrysler products low fuel sensor system. I had only heard about this on
    newer vehicles and Shell had agreed to cover the cost of repairs. I don't
    know if any reshearch was done to see if this problem effect other vehicles
    and I don't know how Chrysler's low fuel warning system works. I guess this
    could effect older Hondas or other vehicles too. Just a thought and an
    opportunity to pont fingers at gas companies, especially when they up the
    cost of gas just before the weekend.
     
    David Keen, Jul 19, 2003
    #6
  7. Echo

    David Keen Guest

    Several months ago I heard that Shell fuels were causing problems with
    Chrysler products low fuel sensor system. I had only heard about this on
    newer vehicles and Shell had agreed to cover the cost of repairs. I don't
    know if any reshearch was done to see if this problem effect other vehicles
    and I don't know how Chrysler's low fuel warning system works. I guess this
    could effect older Hondas or other vehicles too. Just a thought and an
    opportunity to pont fingers at gas companies, especially when they up the
    cost of gas just before the weekend.
     
    David Keen, Jul 19, 2003
    #7
  8. Echo

    Zebra Guest

    Does the warning light comes on when you turn the ignition switch. All the
    warnings should turns on for a short moment.
     
    Zebra, Jul 20, 2003
    #8
  9. I agree with the other posters. The first thing that I would do is run it
    until it is on the empty mark and pull into a gas station with a gas can.
    Leave it running until it starts running out of gas. The engine will run
    poorly for several seconds. Keep an eye on the light. When the engine
    starts to sputter--turn off the engine and pour the gas from can into
    tank. Pull up to the pump and fill it up. If the light does not come on,
    try changing the bulb before you do anything else. That bulb is over 8
    years old.
     
    Bill B. Johnson, Jul 21, 2003
    #9
  10. I agree with the other posters. The first thing that I would do is run it
    until it is on the empty mark and pull into a gas station with a gas can.
    Leave it running until it starts running out of gas. The engine will run
    poorly for several seconds. Keep an eye on the light. When the engine
    starts to sputter--turn off the engine and pour the gas from can into
    tank. Pull up to the pump and fill it up. If the light does not come on,
    try changing the bulb before you do anything else. That bulb is over 8
    years old.
     
    Bill B. Johnson, Jul 21, 2003
    #10
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