2009 FLSTC Fuel gauge/Fuel Range problem
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2009 FLSTC Fuel gauge/Fuel Range problem
I bought my '09 Heritage on 08-08-2008. Since first tank of gas, the fuel gauge and the Fuel Range Function have not worked correctly. The low fuel warning lamp comes on at about 130 miles into a full tank of gas. I can run this bike until the fuel range function counts down the last 10 miles of fuel, stop for gas and it will take around 2 1/2 to 3 gallons of gas. I have had this bike in for maintaince 3 times now and service guys say there is nothing wrong. (1,000, new rear tire and 10,000 check-ups) I am not an expert rider and don't have years of riding experience, but I can read the fuel gauge, the Fuel range function, and owners manual. I can also read the gas pump and see how many gallons of gas I"ve just pumped into my bike. I've put over 12,000 miles on this bike to date and need some information. Has anybody out there had this problem with their softail??????????????
I have read that some people have bent the line for the float and it took care of the problem, but I find that even with a change the gauge is still extremely sporadic. After a tin swap a while back it worked well for a few months, and then became unreliable again.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 19
From: USA
2009 Heritage Classic
I also have a 2009 Heritage Classic and my gas gauge works about the same as yours. When I run mine down to where it shows only 10 miles to empty, I can only put in maybe 3 and half or 4 gallons. Depends on how I run my bike but my low fuel light will come on around 125 or 130 miles. I always use my trip meter It never fails me!!!
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Its a near universal concept that the gas gauge's on Harley's don't work worth a damn.
Almost everyone has exactly the same problem, hell my bike almost always lights up the little gas pump symbol within minutes of getting filled up.
So its a good thing the newer bikes have two trip meters in them.
I have NEVER trusted the gauge on any bike and always reset one of the trip meters every time I fill up.
I have one of the stock looking LED gages and the red light generally comes on after about 100 or so miles and I have learned to treat that as a warning that I have about half a tank left.
So my advise would be to get into the habit of resetting one of the trip meters every time you fill up and ignore the gauge altogether.
Almost everyone has exactly the same problem, hell my bike almost always lights up the little gas pump symbol within minutes of getting filled up.
So its a good thing the newer bikes have two trip meters in them.
I have NEVER trusted the gauge on any bike and always reset one of the trip meters every time I fill up.
I have one of the stock looking LED gages and the red light generally comes on after about 100 or so miles and I have learned to treat that as a warning that I have about half a tank left.
So my advise would be to get into the habit of resetting one of the trip meters every time you fill up and ignore the gauge altogether.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 13
From: Bremen, GA
After reading several of these threads I decided to just use the trip meter and I figure I can get around 200 mile on a tank. I do usually tank though when I'm taking a break so the furtherest I have gone on a tank is 155 miles but I never got a fuel light.
Maybe I need to push it to see if my light even works!
Maybe I need to push it to see if my light even works!
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Newport, NC
I have a '08 FLSTC and my gas gauge is useless also. However my "Miles to go" indication seems to be pretty accurate. The idiot light comes on at 30 miles to go and it takes about 4.2 gallons of gas.
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I have an 08 Heritage. Low fuel light comes on with 30 miles left BUT it says r 30.
That means 30 miles to RESERVE not empty. Maybe that is why you are not putting all that much gas in. Most I have put in it was under 4 gallons at 180 miles. Reserve is 1 gallon left ( which is roughly 40-50 miles)
That means 30 miles to RESERVE not empty. Maybe that is why you are not putting all that much gas in. Most I have put in it was under 4 gallons at 180 miles. Reserve is 1 gallon left ( which is roughly 40-50 miles)
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 2
From: Gastonia, NC
I'm riding an '09' flstc also. My fuel guage works OK but does seem to get into the red fairly soon. When it does I switch over to the 'r' mode on the display. It works really well but is a little consevative. My low light comes on at around 40 miles left. If I stop right away I'll take about 3.8 or 3.9 gallons. I like it that way. Yesterday I ran down to 25 miles left and took 3.9 gallons. I'd really be able to go about 45 more miles but that's ok. Don't know why Harley can't build a decent gas guage. I had a 1500 Vulcan that you could just leave on reserve and live by the needle. It was always 'spot on'. Yours doesn't sound like it's working well at all on either end though. Seems like a 'reflash' of the ecm might be what you need for the 'r' readout.