Low fuel light comes on too early - Page 2

Quad T · 07-27-2005, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QWIKWHIP

I don't know so much as I believe that though. My dad's 87 hardbody has 160kmi on it and he always runs it to E and still has the original pump.

Wow, I never got that kind of dependability out of my '86.5 and '95 Hardbody's fuels pump... But I like the idea you don't think it is fuel level related because I prefer to always take the tank down close to empty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QWIKWHIP

I almost think that the sending unit may read based on your mileage. I have noticed that my light seems to come on with more in the tank when I'm towing. For example, when I'm not towing (getting about 13mpg) and my light comes on it will take about 6 gallons. When I'm towing (getting about 8mpg) and my light comes on it will take about 19-20 gallons. It's almost like it allows around 75 miles reserve regardless of your mileage????? Could that be possible?

Well if that were me I would be thinking more along the lines of the sending unit gives different reads based upon the truck sitting flat, tipped forward or tipped back. Not an awful lot of trucks tow at exactly the same ride height they sit at unladden. I know both of my Hardbodies would gain and loose gas according to the gauge as I went up and down steep hills.

mhwo · 07-27-2005, 01:40 PM

I have gotten used to the 'early' fuel reading of low. But I travel up north a lot to see my parents and the gas prices up there are outrageous compared to where I live. So I just push the extra 100 miles or so out of the tank when the light comes on until I am in the land of cheaper gas.

By the way, my Wife has a new theory (for her anyway); Gas up where possible at 1/2 tank. Then the weekly gas bill is $25-$30 instead of $50-$60 every 10 days. I know it sounds silly, but she controls the checkbook and I don't want it.... so whatever she wants is fine with me.

Elbo · 07-27-2005, 01:50 PM

I have the reverse problem you guys have. My light comes on about 2-5 minutes before you run out of gas. The truck starts sputtering almost immed. after the light comes on!

I hate to even take it to the dealer, they will only break something else.

QWIKWHIP · 07-27-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quad T

Well if that were me I would be thinking more along the lines of the sending unit gives different reads based upon the truck sitting flat, tipped forward or tipped back. Not an awful lot of trucks tow at exactly the same ride height they sit at unladden. I know both of my Hardbodies would gain and loose gas according to the gauge as I went up and down steep hills.

I wouldn't say that either. It has always done that and I have towed stock, with PRG 2" front only, and then with PRG 2" front and 1" rear and it has always acted the same way. Besides, my trailer, fully loaded for camping with the w/d bars on only drops 1/2-1" in the rear. It's just one of those strange things I guess.

Quad T · 07-27-2005, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QWIKWHIP

It's just one of those strange things I guess.

That I'll buy. My overwhelming impression of my '95 Hardbody is it was clearly not a vehicle capable of doing much thinking and extrapolating. The stop and start in and out of 4WD was a true characteristic of that trucks degree of development...

My '86.5 was indeed a better product with more refinement.

titanplus5 · 07-27-2005, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the insight. Guess I just have to remember the mileage when the light comes on and drive another 50 miles or so. The one time I went for broke I figured 5 gals x 14 mpg = 70 miles. Yeah that was wishful thinking. Turns out I ran short about 15 miles. Just real inconvenient next to the Taco I used to have. When I hit Empty I knew I had 15 miles to get to a gas station or start pushing.