Gas gauge light.

[jlevie]

This thread seems relevant enough.

Early model tank in late model e30. (single level sensor, car wants two)

What do I need to do to get my gas gauge to work? Is it as simple as splicing the other level sensor wires to my one level sensor? Will it need an early cluster/gas gauge?

Jumper the connector for the left side sensor and replace the gauge in the cluster with one for an early car.

[lennon]

This thread seems relevant enough.

Early model tank in late model e30. (single level sensor, car wants two)

What do I need to do to get my gas gauge to work? Is it as simple as splicing the other level sensor wires to my one level sensor? Will it need an early cluster/gas gauge?

[jlevie]

A non-working odometer is usually failed gears, which can be replaced.

[blck325is]

Well, no odometer so no idea but I think I'm averaging 220-250 a tank..maybe. Gonna get a working odometer first and figure that out first. Guess I'll replace the sender and see what happens.

[BrettsE30]

Damn I'm only getting like 200 per tank. I'm trying to let it run out but Ive been driving to far.

[Quadrajet]

I didn't know these cars had them till mine lit up when I was driving one night, scared the crap outta me at first!

[nando]

Generally an e30 should do around 300-350 miles

[BrettsE30]

How many miles do you get to a tank?

[nando]

175 miles driven on this tank and still no light. Still about 1/4 full. I only drive about 10 miles a day.

Either you level sensor is broken or you get awful mileage! Also the light doesnt come on until you hit Reserve, not at 1/4 tank...

[selturk]

lol mine comes on every other week when low on gas..

[BrettsE30]

175 miles driven on this tank and still no light. Still about 1/4 full. I only drive about 10 miles a day.

[blck325is]

Umm yeah past the E or in your case R I guess, mine reads litres (damn metric system) so It reads zero when empty. Anyway to the left of the gauge's empty line there's a strip that illuminated when you are low on gas.

On the subject of gas gauges I finally got mine to actually read a full 62L when full instead of stupid 40L aka 3/4 on the gauge.

Anyone know for sure if there is a difference between a VDO gas gauge and a motometer one? Swapping from a motometer one to a VDO fixed the problem but who is to say that the old gas gauge wasn't hooped... seriously anyone?

How did you get the gauge to read full? Mine reads only 3/4 when I fill it up too.

[Pussy30]

Guess I'm gonna let the car run outta gas just to see what happens. Could I have a bulb out?

These things dont ususally go out, i mean they are rarely on often in most cases. Just drive around with an extra gallon in your trunk and see how much range you get once the light comes on.

[nando]

Do our cars have a light that comes on if you get low on gas? Ive never had one come on since i got the car, and i rebuilt the cluster. My father insists there is even though he's never owned any bmw and never driven my car. Whats the correct answer?

Also why does it say R instead of E?

R stands for Reserve. when you get to the light, you should have about 2 gallons (of reserve capacity) left.

[BrettsE30]

Guess I'm gonna let the car run outta gas just to see what happens. Could I have a bulb out?