Low Fuel light

[n3nyongmini]

When does it come on?

Is it supposed to light up 'at start' to show that it's still working?

Been getting <20mpg city in a '90 325i auto and reading the low fuel mileage thread I see talk of the low fuel light. Well huh.

thanks

[backtrail69]

It only lights up when you have no gas (2 gal I think).

[JeffR116]

I'm suspecting my light to be out as well. The needle will hit the white dash mark for empty before the light comes on.

[Erick]

Hahah I love that point in time..... but in all clusters/e30s I've seen, all the lights worked, no matter how long it took for that to happen.

[JeffR116]

Nevermind... whenever I fill up where my gas tank looks almost empty it's about 13.6 gallons. The fuel capacity for the 325 is 16.4 gallons.

I'm probably not waiting long enough.

[Jean]

Check that the light bulb behind the fuel gauge isn't burned out ;) The light comes up when the fuel level sender shows low resistance or a short.

[MikeE30325i]

shit, for osme wierd reason i fill my car up when it looks like it is getting close to the halfway tick mark. i just like having a full tank of gas all the time.

[JeffR116]

shit, for osme wierd reason i fill my car up when it looks like it is getting close to the halfway tick mark. i just like having a full tank of gas all the time.

:loco:

[n3nyongmini]

I'm suspecting my light to be out as well. The needle will hit the white dash mark for empty before the light comes on.

so your light DOES come on. I guess I'll brave it and wait for the "white dash"...

I do know, however, that when I replaced my fuel pump that the tank has a dent in it under the sender/pump that required me to push it back out (the dent) a bit to get the fuel pump back in...

So, all being said, my light may never come on if the sender's wack.

'just asking when I would normally expect it to come on.

thanks all.

[Jean]

You could just drain the fuel tank and check it that way, simple enough and you won't get stuck somewhere in traffic..

[JeffR116]

so your light DOES come on. I guess I'll brave it and wait for the "white dash"...

I do know, however, that when I replaced my fuel pump that the tank has a dent in it under the sender/pump that required me to push it back out (the dent) a bit to get the fuel pump back in...

So, all being said, my light may never come on if the sender's wack.

'just asking when I would normally expect it to come on.

thanks all.

No I'm saying I fill it up once it hits the white dash mark. The light never comes on. But I believe I'm just not pushing it far enough.

[325iCabrio]

Yeah, you really have to press your luck for the light to come on. Mine doesn't come on until the gauge says the tank is completely empty. When that happens, I'll fill it up with 14 gallons, so the two gallon rule that Backtrail said sounds right.

[Mike325]

All you have to do is take the cover off the rear seat and pull up the level sensor. It fills with gas and tells you what your remaining fuel supply is. Just pull it out of a tank with around 1/4 left and see if the light comes on. You will be 100&#37; empty by doing this.

It also keeps you from running out of gas, letting all the crud in your tank get sucked to the engine and also will prevent the pumps from getting too hot. It is not a good idea to let your tank get this dry.:tsk:

[ivo316]

Mine has been on twice since i have the car, and the needle is AT the white dash when it comes on, you could also drive your car to empty (or close) and park it on a grade, also racing it from standstill and braking hard will get it to turn on (if your are very close to the "empty" dash).

[jrobie79]

its supposed to come on a 1.6 gallons IIRC from reading the owners manual