Premature fuel light?

[Theo]

Is it possible that my fuel light is coming on prematurely? When I turn the ignition on the fuel needle rises from the final white mark (R) to the top of the red section, but the fuel light is on. Should this not come on at the once the needle is below the red section or am I talking bollocks?

[DRIFTBOY]

I was wondering about my fuel light too, but opposite problem.

The needle goes below the red mark and still no light, always get nervous and fill up by then!

[Theo]

Hmmm, of all the E30's I've had, even the beautys with semi functional instrument clusters, the fuel light has always worked. A sign of how cheap I am that I always manage to test this out!

Hows you car going anyway mate? Turbo'd yet!?

[DRIFTBOY]

Pm about to be sent dude!

[grantfk10]

The needle goes below the red mark and still no light, always get nervous and fill up by then!

I've never seen my warning light too scared to let it run that far down, and then discover it does not work.

[billgatese30]

how far down should it get before the light comes on

and should it light up when you first turn the key (as the needle rises)???

[Brianmoooore]

how far down should it get before the light comes on

Right down below the red painted bit, and on to the bit that actually lights

and should it light up when you first turn the key (as the needle rises)???

No

[billgatese30]

champion, i never normally get chance to let it get that low as i usually end up doing a long journey (or pass a cheap garage) before that happens, but on the few occasions its got close i have wondered just how much i really do have left

[Dveight]

surely those with a working obc will know how much fuel is left, the light should come on about 40miles from empty, i usually let the light come on, as to not let old fuel remain in the tank, and have even tested the acuracy of the obc down the engine cut out, and can say the obc doesnt read under bout 9 miles from empty but i may be a lucky one to have both working so well.

[Dave_M3]

I fu┚¬kin ran out the other day in one of my cars... The dash is all messed up in one, rev counter and backlight not workin 100% and temp over reading. The fuel light was coming on when the needle was maybe half way between the 1/4 mark and the last white line It started to stutter anyway so we shut her off and waited for reinforcements

[gra325i]

my obc reads between 22/26 miles when the light comes on, and my light comes on when the needle is almost on the light as brianmoooore said

500..

[Theo]

how far down should it get before the light comes on

Right down below the red painted bit, and on to the bit that actually lights

and should it light up when you first turn the key (as the needle rises)???

No

So something is wrong with mine then? It's towards the top of the red section and the light is on, and it comes straight on as soon as you turn the key. Any ideas what could be causing this? It's a 318is with an M30 if that makes any difference?

[Brianmoooore]

Can only be the level sender itself. Four small nuts on the top of the fuel pump and it lifts straight up and out (weeing petrol everywhere).

[Theo]

Well I removed the level sender and refitted it having cleaned the connections - the needle has now dropped to the R mark below the red area, so that seems to be better. Tempted to drive it until it runs out of fuel just to see how far you can go.

[Brianmoooore]

Connections won't have anything to do with it. You've just shaken up the insides by removing it which has provided a (temporary?) cure.

[Chris]

Is there any way of testing the empty light without removing the cluster, or is it just a case of, drive around with a jerry can in the boot?

[Brianmoooore]

Short brown/grey to earth (brown) at the connector on the fuel pump, or at the plug and socket under the rear seat cushion.

[Theo]

Connections won't have anything to do with it. You've just shaken up the insides by removing it which has provided a (temporary?) cure.

You were (obviously) correct Brain, the fuel light still seems to come on too early. Is there anything I can do besides getting a good known to be working level sender?

[Theo]

Well, after nearly running out of fuel tonight (limped to a thankfully very nearby petrol station at 2k rpm) it is evident that the fuel light is not coming on too early, but the needle is not correctly positioned as it hasn't even reached the 'R' mark.

[Greeny]

My fuel light doesn't come on for quite some time after hitting empty and I have about 50 miles from when the light comes on, fingers crossed it doesn't break as I depend on it.

[Brianmoooore]

My fuel light doesn't come on for quite some time after hitting empty and I have about 50 miles from when the light comes on, fingers crossed it doesn't break as I depend on it.

Where do you reckon "empty" is on the gauge?