Fuel Light Issues. . .
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 166
Likes: 63
From: Alameda County, Ca
Fuel Light Issues. . .
I recently started to have some issues with my fuel light turning on sporadically. I normally used to purchase Chevron or Arco 91 octane, but switched to Shell for a bit. I noticed that after the transition to Shell that my fuel light will pop on while riding.
The other night I was on my way to work and had filled up with Chevron about 2 nights prior, halfway to work the fuel light popped on and stayed on. I filled the tank just in case, and it was only took 2.9 gallons of fuel out of 4.5. I thought the fuel light was supposed to turn on if there was only 1 gallon remaining. Anyone here ever experience this or know what route I should go to troubleshoot it.
2008 Sportster 1200C.
- G
The other night I was on my way to work and had filled up with Chevron about 2 nights prior, halfway to work the fuel light popped on and stayed on. I filled the tank just in case, and it was only took 2.9 gallons of fuel out of 4.5. I thought the fuel light was supposed to turn on if there was only 1 gallon remaining. Anyone here ever experience this or know what route I should go to troubleshoot it.
2008 Sportster 1200C.
- G
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 4,947
From: England
After using 2.9 gallons if you lean the bike over as far as it will go or you do some high G manoeuvre you may get the light on.
It is a simple float that activates a switch in the tank. It could be the float is sticking a little or holed so it doesn't rise and fall as fast as it used to.
Now you are going to get a bunch of replies that will tell you to ignore the light and ride on the trip mileage counters. Good luck.
The only fool proof way to troubleshoot is to take the pump out of the tank and inspect the float.
It is a simple float that activates a switch in the tank. It could be the float is sticking a little or holed so it doesn't rise and fall as fast as it used to.
Now you are going to get a bunch of replies that will tell you to ignore the light and ride on the trip mileage counters. Good luck.
The only fool proof way to troubleshoot is to take the pump out of the tank and inspect the float.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Apr 30, 2020 at 03:58 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Andy has nailed it! This has nothing to do with using different brands of fuel, that's just a coincidence IMHO. As for the amount of fuel left when the light comes on, the level device is very crude, so we will get different results for each bike we check! The float Andy mentions is prime candidate, so check that first, then follow the wiring through to the warning light. It is just possible there may be damage to the wire to the gauge.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 166
Likes: 63
From: Alameda County, Ca
Thanks guys. I have never taken my tank off. But the dealership at Oakland HD took it off recently to fix a rocker box leak, I guess that I should just take it back and have them look at it. Its also older, so probably time for it to start showing some issues.
One thing about the trip odometer, I have been trying to get used to the intake, fp3 and the slip on straight shots that I put on the bike. Cranking down on it, it gulps fuel down. I could swear I have gotten up to 150-170 miles per full tank before the add on's (am I delusional?).
- G
One thing about the trip odometer, I have been trying to get used to the intake, fp3 and the slip on straight shots that I put on the bike. Cranking down on it, it gulps fuel down. I could swear I have gotten up to 150-170 miles per full tank before the add on's (am I delusional?).
- G
Last edited by GammaRei; Apr 30, 2020 at 11:31 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 4,947
From: England
It is my opinion that V&H need to err on the side of caution with all of the maps they produce so the canned maps will be rich. You will need to do an autotune or series of autotune runs to better optimise the map.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 166
Likes: 63
From: Alameda County, Ca
- G
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,539
Likes: 12,183
From: Indianapolis
Gamma, don't know if an '08 is the same as a '17 but, I have the float assembly out of my '17 I removed when I went with the fuel gauge function on the combo speedometer. If it is the float assembly that is bad, you can have it, you pay shipping.
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Cruiser
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I recently started to have some issues with my fuel light turning on sporadically. I normally used to purchase Chevron or Arco 91 octane, but switched to Shell for a bit. I noticed that after the transition to Shell that my fuel light will pop on while riding.
The other night I was on my way to work and had filled up with Chevron about 2 nights prior, halfway to work the fuel light popped on and stayed on. I filled the tank just in case, and it was only took 2.9 gallons of fuel out of 4.5. I thought the fuel light was supposed to turn on if there was only 1 gallon remaining. Anyone here ever experience this or know what route I should go to troubleshoot it.
2008 Sportster 1200C.
- G
The other night I was on my way to work and had filled up with Chevron about 2 nights prior, halfway to work the fuel light popped on and stayed on. I filled the tank just in case, and it was only took 2.9 gallons of fuel out of 4.5. I thought the fuel light was supposed to turn on if there was only 1 gallon remaining. Anyone here ever experience this or know what route I should go to troubleshoot it.
2008 Sportster 1200C.
- G
