Low gas light indicator
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
Low gas light indicator
While out riding this past weekend started experiencing some trouble with the motorcycle. didn't realize I was low on gas because the gas indicator light did not come on.. the bike is only 2 1/2 years old how do I fix this problem!! I am aware that I can reset my odometer and track it.. I just would like it to work the way it supposed to because of the new age of the bike.. thanks for any information!!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 17
From: victoria bc
Forget about your low fuel light they are notoriously unreliable. Some stay on all the time, some do not come on at all. Reset your trip meter everytime you fill up and keep track of your miles between fills.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 652
Likes: 7
From: Maui, Hawaii
I ride an 09 Sportster 883 with EFI and don't even bother with the low fuel light. It's so much easier and accurate to just reset the odometer every time you refuel. I am getting about 45-47 MPG, my fuel tank capacity is 3.3 gallons. Therefore, to eliminate the threat of running out of gas, I always fill up between 100 and 125 miles on the odometer which will give me a generous 25 to 45 mile reserve to find a gas station. So far this strategy has worked for me, I have never run it dry.
"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's
"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 63
Likes: 24
From: Aurora, CO
I don't pay attention to it either, I try to stop for gas every 100 miles or so. Sometimes if mine comes on and I shake the bike from side to side the light goes off for awhile. I have been tracking my mileage over the last three fill ups and I've been averaging anywhere from 37 to 49 miles per gallon with a 2013 Sportster Custom. A guy at work was telling me the wind can make a big difference. He said when it is windy he loses almost 10 mpg.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
My 02
On my Heritage, my gas gauge went dead.
HD service said that the entire unit needed to be replaced
My Indy said he needed to clean the units in the tank
They both said its residue from the Ethanol pump puke. Chris my indy wiped the parts down and reinstalled. He said if the gas didnt rot the components a wipedown usually works. He said hes seeing this on all bikes.. That said, my XL1200c, every 125 miles, she got filled...
HD service said that the entire unit needed to be replaced
My Indy said he needed to clean the units in the tank
They both said its residue from the Ethanol pump puke. Chris my indy wiped the parts down and reinstalled. He said if the gas didnt rot the components a wipedown usually works. He said hes seeing this on all bikes.. That said, my XL1200c, every 125 miles, she got filled...
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Harley made a boo boo when they made this part. My stock speedo was always malfunctioning. As soon as I gassed up 3 miles later it would go on. Then shut off again. My problem was fixed when I switched to a Dakota digital gauge. Now my light consistently goes on after 100miles or so and that's about 2 gallons so I still have enough to get to a station.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
If you were more specific it would help. The bike is a 2012? 1200? Check connections, fuses etc. Was if working and just stopped one day with no prior problems?
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Moderator
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 107,687
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From: Ft. Worth, TX
Harley made a boo boo when they made this part. My stock speedo was always malfunctioning. As soon as I gassed up 3 miles later it would go on. Then shut off again. My problem was fixed when I switched to a Dakota digital gauge. Now my light consistently goes on after 100miles or so and that's about 2 gallons so I still have enough to get to a station.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
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From: TOAK western branch
Pretty easy fix. Remove the fuel pump assy. Put 1 gallon of fuel in the tank. Bend float rod till light comes on. Now you know how much fuel you have when the light comes on.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 4
From: Opposite Side of the Planet
Doesn't work on a Sportster. Sportsters have a fuel level sensor with the fuel pump assembly.
Could possibly replace the sensor.