when does your low fuel light come on?

[mack6820]

Hey guys. I installed the white gauge faces and now I believe my fuel gauge is off. My low fuel light comes on at approx 1/3 of a tank. I think the fuel is actually lower than it shows on the gauge now.
So, When does your fuel light come on?

[gtc]

FWIW, mine comes on very late... right near the empty tick mark. Definately depends on the car though, as I know some people who's lights come on closer to 1/8th of a tank.
I'd be curious to know how it works.

[rnln]

very low for me, almost empty.

[mack6820]

With a full tank, does yours show full or beyond the full mark?

[Peter Zimmermann]

My '82 has about 2 gallons left when the light flicks on steady.

Your sending unit is very easy to remove - lift the carpet away at the left rear corner of the tank (near the brake booster) and locate the sender. Pull it out (remove 5 nuts/screws) and check if the float is moving smoothly inside the tube. ALWAYS trust the light if it comes down to light vs gauge!

[RoninLB]

[cgarr]

Hard left turn with a half a tank and its on.

[DRACO A5OG]

2 gallons

[beasty]

mine comes on when its super low

[911longhorn]

wouldn't attempt to go more than another 30 miles when mine comes on

[Hugh R]

+1 about 2 gallons left. My car runs out of gas just a hair above the E, ask me how I know.

[afterburn 549]

At about 16 lbs left in it I guess

[RoninLB]

I use the upgrade thick rubber gasket insted of the paper one. The unit now sits higher.

I tested it at 2 gallons with paper. Haven't even had the light on with the rubber.


Anyway it's 2 +

[richde]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

2 gallons

Mine comes on a little before that. I usually wait for the light or 400 miles to fill up if I'm DD'ing.

My gauge is hit and miss, it'll hang up at 2/3 tank sometimes, sometimes lower. But the light always works.

Luckily, we have gas coupons and don't pay this much...but just think if you paid this much for gas. But this is about 10 miles after the light came on.

[slodave]

Mine doesn't. I have cleaned the sender, but nothing. I haven't had a fully working gauge, well, ever. I only know when I am full.

[dshepp806]

I never let mine get anywhere near low enough for the light to come on..flickered once, in the early days of ownership,..never again...

Best,

Doyle

[Jim Williams]

Based on how the sending unit works (reference Pete's photos), once the light comes on, the gauge can't read any lower.

Think of it this way: The float with the metal disk on it's base, which turns on the light, also carries the slider which varies the resistance of the sending element which determines the position of the needle on the gauge. So when the float reaches bottom, the light turns on, and gauge can't read any lower.

Does anyone have a fuel gauge where the needle on the gauge continues to drop after the light comes on?

[KFC911]

Mine comes on "right" before I'm SOL (by a FAR less margin for error than any car I've ever owned)...taught me a lesson in the early days of ownership .

[mack6820]

Thanks for the replies guys. I know the sending unit is good, I just need to adjust the needle on my gauge. This all started when I switched to the white gauge faces and removed the gauge needles.

[Miguel Antonett]

About 2 gals.