fuel light
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 26
From: Pewuakee, WI
Re: fuel light
I would make sure that your fuel level sensor isn't bad first. It's probably a float attached to the gas tank somehow. Unclip the wiring harness clip that goes into the gas tank, and manipulate the float by hand or by gravity (turn the tank upside down then back up right again. You'll probably get a short when the float is at the bottom of it's travel. If that switch is working ok, follow the wires as far as you can into the dash or ecu, wherever it goes, and make sure there are no loose connections.
I've never attempted to take apart an instrument panel, but I wouldn't recommend doing so unless you're pretty handy, and take your time to label parts and connectors, and take pictures of how everything should go together. Then if you can even get at the LED in the dash, make sure all connectors are removed from the LED, and apply 3-5 volts to it. A couple of AA batteries taped together end to end with wire pigtails on each end should work.
LEDs only work with correct polarity, so if it doesn't light up the first time, try switching the wires (+and-) and try again. If the LED doesn't light up when connected to the batteries, you could probably just get another high intensity LED from RadioShack and install that. If none of these things solve your problem, I don't know what to tell you. At least you could narrow it down to something, though.
Just a thought, if there is a problem with the wiring or circuitry, and you have an older SuperHawk, (one of the ones with analog gauges and just a fuel light, now actual E|||||||||F type gauge, you could probably just wire up the switch from the fuel tank through a resistor of proper size right to the ignition circuit, and install your own LED.
I've never attempted to take apart an instrument panel, but I wouldn't recommend doing so unless you're pretty handy, and take your time to label parts and connectors, and take pictures of how everything should go together. Then if you can even get at the LED in the dash, make sure all connectors are removed from the LED, and apply 3-5 volts to it. A couple of AA batteries taped together end to end with wire pigtails on each end should work.
LEDs only work with correct polarity, so if it doesn't light up the first time, try switching the wires (+and-) and try again. If the LED doesn't light up when connected to the batteries, you could probably just get another high intensity LED from RadioShack and install that. If none of these things solve your problem, I don't know what to tell you. At least you could narrow it down to something, though.
Just a thought, if there is a problem with the wiring or circuitry, and you have an older SuperHawk, (one of the ones with analog gauges and just a fuel light, now actual E|||||||||F type gauge, you could probably just wire up the switch from the fuel tank through a resistor of proper size right to the ignition circuit, and install your own LED.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 33
Re: fuel light
I fixed it. It was a bad sensor. 1998 SuperHawk. I just did not know I fixed it because the new sensor did not turn on the LED. At first! I did not wait long enough because I can't turn off the headlight. I takes more than 40 seconds for the sensor to heat up and turn on the LED. It is cooled by fuel. No explanation in my manual... Sorry you did not see my explanation in another thread here but thank you very much.
Steve
Steve
Slacker
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 489
From: San Antonio, TX
Low fuel indicator light does not come on
Disconnect the fuel reserve sensor 2P white connector and short the connector terminals with a jumper wire.
Turn the ignition switch ON on check the low fuel indicator.
If the indicator comes on, replace the fuel reserve sensor.
If the indicator does not come on, check for an open circuit in the brown/black and green wires.
......bla bla bla
Most likey the problem wil be in the sensor mounted inside the tank. All you need to check this is a paper clip, opened up and bent into a "U" shape.
I have been riding my superhawk for 7K miles with a non-functional sensor and have only run out of gas 2 times, the first time being on my very first ride after purchase. Finally decided to get a new one, and the damn things are on backorder right now, so I'll have to wait just a little longer.
Disconnect the fuel reserve sensor 2P white connector and short the connector terminals with a jumper wire.
Turn the ignition switch ON on check the low fuel indicator.
If the indicator comes on, replace the fuel reserve sensor.
If the indicator does not come on, check for an open circuit in the brown/black and green wires.
......bla bla bla
Most likey the problem wil be in the sensor mounted inside the tank. All you need to check this is a paper clip, opened up and bent into a "U" shape.
I have been riding my superhawk for 7K miles with a non-functional sensor and have only run out of gas 2 times, the first time being on my very first ride after purchase. Finally decided to get a new one, and the damn things are on backorder right now, so I'll have to wait just a little longer.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 33
Re: fuel light
Got my fuel sensor from ryan ayers sp? on line. They have the part fisch and you can call if you have a question. When you check the wires make sure you short the plug wires that go to the frame not the sensor
and dont forget if you have a 98 like mine to give the new part 45 seconds to warm up when not in fuel in order to turn on the LED.
and dont forget if you have a 98 like mine to give the new part 45 seconds to warm up when not in fuel in order to turn on the LED.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 243
From: Toronto, Ontario
Hey! sorry for bumping an old thread but i just wanted to thank Superhawk forums once again!
after my VTR came from the shop guess what the shop handed to me? my fuel sender wires... they "ripped off" when they took the tank off... can you believe the ineptitude of these idiots?
anyways, i just soldered the connections back on as best as i could and my fuel light was always on even with a full tank...i tested the connections and everything was good...
so i'm thinking somehow i got a bad fuel sender when someone on this topic mentioned that the fuel light is an LED! A bright light went off in my head and i realized i most likely reversed the connections on the fuel sender.
a quick swap of the wire clips in the connector under the fue tank and its fixed!
thanks SH forum, u just sawed me 50 bucks for a new sender!
after my VTR came from the shop guess what the shop handed to me? my fuel sender wires... they "ripped off" when they took the tank off... can you believe the ineptitude of these idiots?
anyways, i just soldered the connections back on as best as i could and my fuel light was always on even with a full tank...i tested the connections and everything was good...
so i'm thinking somehow i got a bad fuel sender when someone on this topic mentioned that the fuel light is an LED! A bright light went off in my head and i realized i most likely reversed the connections on the fuel sender.
a quick swap of the wire clips in the connector under the fue tank and its fixed!
thanks SH forum, u just sawed me 50 bucks for a new sender!
Light Cycle Expert
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 194
From: Tampa, Florida
After using the search function I found this article. Thank you Beerhunter for helping me to find the cause of my low fuel light not coming on. I was 99% sure it was the float but you helped me confirm it with your short how to write up. Now I have to order one. In the mean time I'll just keep watching the odometer and refuel at 118 miles. That is the furthest I've pushed one tank so far.
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