BMW E30 320i fuel level warning light

[e30fan46]

I was driving my recently purchased BMW e30 320i the other day and, realised that the fuel level warning light wasn't working I have tried changing the bulb but this has not fixed the fault.

The gauge works correctly apart from this, is this an actual fault with the dash board gauges or a possible broken wire?

[jmc330i]

How did you realise the light wasn't working?
Chances are you haven't run the tank low enough to get the light to come on - on both my E30s, the light only comes on once the needle has dropped well below the red.

[Satan]

Have you tried running the car until it runs out of petrol?

[e30fan46]

Ah ok I didn't realise the needle had to be below the red when I was driving the vehicle the gauge needle was half way into the red I have not tried letting the needle go below the red neither letting it run out of petrol.

Thanks for the responses

[jmc330i]

Take a jerry can of fuel with you and go for a drive, you'll find out one way or another.

[Cloggy Saint]

I think if you pull the fuel pump/sender slowly out of it's housing with the ignition on then the fuel light will come on if it's working.

[Brianmoooore]

I think if you pull the fuel pump/sender slowly out of it's housing with the ignition on then the fuel light will come on if it's working.

This is correct, but it's almost certainly already in full working order. Light shouldn't come on until the needle is over the part of the scale that lights up, not the red painted bit.