Fuel Light R1100S

[VictoriaR1100S]

I have a 1999 R1100S with a fuel light that will not light. Have checked all electrical connections which are clean and tight, replaced the bulb and more recently, the relay. Does anyone out there know what the issue may be? Replacing the sensor in the gas tank is an expensive proposition. I am inclined to continue to use the speedo trip setting unless there is an inexpensive solution. Not a big issue, just like to keep the bike in great shape. It's a great machine, so attention to little things is worth it.

[R111S]

No idea what the problem could be but probably next step is to remove the Sensor and see if it's mechanically/electrically intact.

Have you put an Ohm Meter on the Sensor to see if it changes resistance as you tip the Tank?

[bikerfish1100]

have you run the tank down low enough to trigger the light? it comes on with about 1.25 gals left.

[Bob K.]

With everything that you have done so far, I agree think that assuming that you run it low enough - I would pull and test the sensor. I do not know how fast it reacts, so give it several seconds before assuming that it is good/bad.

[1100s nut]

I agree with bikerfish and Bob. My BC has no gauge at all...so I use the trip obd. when traveling. On my RT I have to run out of bars and then go a little further for the light. On my S Its seems like at 150-175 the lights comes on.

Lane

[sgoodwin]

Holy crap at 150 I'd be walking, my light comes on at 120-125 max & outa gas by 150. You must have a gentle throttle hand.

[bikerfish1100]

smooth (but healthy amounts of) throttle, and running Laser pipe and chip- 40 mpg is about as poor as it gets. light arrives anywhere from 140 (city type riding) to 170 (tour mode). easy 160 miles, as many as 210 (fumes) on a tank.

[sgoodwin]

I've got the Laser pipe & chip also, 40mpg is the best I could ever get. Usually into mid/low 30's. I do regularly bump off the rev limiter though, seems to be where all the power is hidden. In comparison I'm thrilled when I get 30mpg on my zx-14, that thing is just plain thirsty.

[PFFOG]

Unless you feel compelled to change the fuel filter, I would not go in the tank yet. It should be pretty easy to test the circuit, I don't have a schematic in front of me but, I do know there is a connecter or two that you might be able to access by just loosening the rh tupperware. you should be able to jump/short (need to check a schematic) and if the light works, you know you have a problem inside, or a broken wire between the connector and sensor, if it doesn't, then the problem is external of the tank, bulb/wiring/connection.

When I get home I will see if I have a schematic that I can refer to.

[Bob K.]

Originally Posted by PFFOG

Unless you feel compelled to change the fuel filter, I would not go in the tank yet. It should be pretty easy to test the circuit, I don't have a schematic in front of me but, I do know there is a connecter or two that you might be able to access by just loosening the rh tupperware. you should be able to jump/short (need to check a schematic) and if the light works, you know you have a problem inside, or a broken wire between the connector and sensor, if it doesn't, then the problem is external of the tank, bulb/wiring/connection.

When I get home I will see if I have a schematic that I can refer to.

Oh - I like it!

[1100s nut]

Originally Posted by sgoodwin

I've got the Laser pipe & chip also, 40mpg is the best I could ever get. Usually into mid/low 30's. I do regularly bump off the rev limiter though, seems to be where all the power is hidden. In comparison I'm thrilled when I get 30mpg on my zx-14, that thing is just plain thirsty.

My 2005 is stock except a staintune. It will get worse If I am riding it hard on a constant basis. I get the same as bikerfish...have gone 200 miles. I do hit the rev. limit fairly often...I guess because IMO It is so low. Now I will say I have been a long trip and got that 35 mpg amount but I running the pi$$ out of it....90 most of the way back home from Colorado....but the kind of riding I do now...it gets good MPG...cheap fun!

Lane

[JimMoore]

Quick threadjack. My light comes on at about 3.5 gallons burned. What's my total usable fuel? Do people drill the filler cap for increase the capacity?

[VictoriaR1100S]

Friday, 13 Jan, 2012

PPFOG in western New York: Please give me your email address and I will send you the wiring diagram for the R1100S out of the shop manual. I will need your help to know where to check circuits. J

[CoffeeGuy]

If this and your other thread are related, if your float has come loose you may not be receiving the signal for low fuel to light the bulb.

I have no idea how the system functions though.

[bikerfish1100]

4.75 gallons is max capacity Jim.

[JimMoore]

[sgoodwin]

I've drilled the filler (think swiss cheese) & removed the black plasti-crap & bent the tube up also. Never noticed anything except it no longer drips gas when I (over) fill it. Low fuel light is not connected to breather tube in any way.

[slparry]

I seem to recall there is a way of setting the activation point of the warning light, something to do with putting in a measured quantity of fuel then earthing or otherwise connecting some of the wires in the diagnostic plug, I found it once on the web, if I find it again I'll post here.

Found it ....

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk/motorcycle/calibrating-fuel.jpg

_________________

[AntonLargiader]

Very interesting; I hadn't seen that before. However, it only seems to apply to K1200 models; other MA2.4 bikes don't seem to have the fuel warning controller with that input. My '00 doesn't have the #3 pin and has a different fuel level control unit.

Maybe it can be added...