Author Topic: Fuel gauge problem. (Read 6773 times)

mr self destruct · « **on:** 13 June 2013, 01:41:20 pm »

Just bought my 2002 Fazer yesterday and noticed that the fuel gauge reads really low even with a full tank.
I think it's an electrical problem as when I give it some revs the needle moves, and during a motorway trip at about 6000rpm it starts to read accurately.
Then when the revs drop, the needle reads empty again.

So firstly, how many miles can I expect to a tank? (so I can gauge from the trip meter)
And is this a common problem, and if so is it a simple fix?

darrsi · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 June 2013, 02:00:56 pm »

I can't open this link at work, but see if it helps?
And welcome to the forum

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,1848.msg13761.html#msg13761

Dead Eye · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 June 2013, 02:02:58 pm »

Range is between 160-210 depends on how you ride and many other conditions etc etc

I think there is an MPG thread around somewhere which will probably have a better guideline. Could also check out Fuelly and see how far people are going on certain amounts of fuel

darrsi · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 June 2013, 02:06:54 pm »

The 02/03 has the bigger tank, i think you're looking more around the 220 to 230 mark with normal riding, but without a working gauge i would aim at around the 200 miles per full tank to be safe.

mr self destruct · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 June 2013, 05:50:33 pm »

Cheers for the info guys, I'll test the sender at the weekend and see what's what.

elbrownos · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 June 2013, 06:47:43 pm »

I get 200 to 240 before the empty light goes on my '02 FZS600

dBfazer600 · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 June 2013, 07:17:36 pm »

I do not rely on the gauge but use the trip count every time I fill up as I find this to be a more accurate guide especially on longer runs where I am not sure of the location of the next station. I get as above for my 03 FZS depending how I ride.

Daz

Skippernick · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 June 2013, 07:31:48 pm »

Quote from: elbrownos on 13 June 2013, 06:47:43 pm

I get 200 to 240 before the empty light goes on my '02 FZS600

Same on mine. 220 is very normal for me.

mr self destruct · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 June 2013, 12:41:26 pm »

Hmm.... I'm approaching 200 now and only bought it Wednesday morning!

Dead Eye · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 June 2013, 10:19:50 pm »

Must admit I've never checked how many miles I get to a tank - just check my MPG to see if its performing ok and fill up when I fill up

ajmes1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 June 2013, 06:50:26 pm »

Exactly the same problem on mine, and I only got it at the weekend. ('02 foxeye)

Manually moving the arm on the sensor through the filling cap adjusted the needle accordingly, so maybe the ball is gone?

If I have any more luck i'll let you know!

Kentish · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 June 2013, 06:53:06 pm »

Yeah u can fish around in the tank and try to move it up

mr self destruct · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 June 2013, 07:41:18 pm »

That's a possibility. Got bigger problems at the moment, the clutch has started to slip so it's going back to the dealer tomorrow.
I'll have a look at that when I get it back.

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 June 2013, 07:54:07 pm »

Why not get them to look at the fuel gauge problem too? Just a thought...(Wow, that's two thoughts in as many weeks - I'd better have a lie down!)

mr self destruct · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 June 2013, 11:31:21 am »

Being a part-ex clearance bike I only get a 'major mechanical' warranty.
I mentioned it when I booked the bike in today along with the awkward ignition key, but they're not included unfortunately. On the plus side they didn't even question the clutch (I thought it might not be included as it's done 31k miles on the original) and I will drop it in tomorrow.

john 087 · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 June 2013, 03:44:58 pm »

my gauge never worked,but the light works. usally fill every 200 miles. Light comes on about 180 miles.

darrsi · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 June 2013, 04:16:01 pm »

Quote from: john 087 on 18 June 2013, 03:44:58 pm

my gauge never worked,but the light works. usally fill every 200 miles. Light comes on about 180 miles.

That's not bad at all, considering you have the smallest capacity tank out of all the Fazer's.

ajmes1 · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 June 2013, 04:07:53 pm »

Did you get any further with the fuel gauge problem?

I put a meter across the sender and am getting good read outs (127 ohms when the sender is in the empty position and about 9ohms when its in full). The gauge only seems to move if I manually do it through the filler cap, and the ball floats appropriately (At first i thought maybe it had sprung a leak!).

The low fuel light comes on at it's own accord, sometimes very very dim and other times brightly but it doesn't matter where the needle is.

Any ideas of where to go with it now?

mr self destruct · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 June 2013, 07:49:51 pm »

TBH I've ignored the problem for the last week or so, I've been too busy enjoying the good weather!

I'll have a closer look when I stop riding at every single opportunity.

Sealion127 · « **Reply #19 on:** 01 July 2013, 09:07:48 pm »

hi ..... i have a sender unit sitting here waiting to go on ebay , do it cheap for you , let me know if you want it .

regards

chris

john 087 · « **Reply #20 on:** 02 July 2013, 11:28:01 am »

my low fuel light comes on and off dimely when gettting low, but when its just under 1/4 full comes on bright and stays on. have my fazer over 3 years now went for a spin the other day the gauge started again.

mr self destruct · « **Reply #21 on:** 02 July 2013, 11:45:54 am »

Quote from: john 087 on 02 July 2013, 11:28:01 am

my low fuel light comes on and off dimely when gettting low, but when its just under 1/4 full comes on bright and stays on. have my fazer over 3 years now went for a spin the other day the gauge started again.

Yeah I find that too. The gauge is dodgy but I've found I can usually trust the light.

cambo · « **Reply #22 on:** 08 July 2013, 11:23:43 am »

Mine started playing up yesterday, i've done 60 miles since top up and when sitting ticking over it's sitting at 3 quarters full which i expect but when I move off its moving up to full and back to 3 quarters again. Also when I turn ignition off the gaugue drops very slowly maybe 20 seconds, any ideas?

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #23 on:** 08 July 2013, 11:53:10 am »

Quote from: cambo on 08 July 2013, 11:23:43 am

Mine started playing up yesterday, i've done 60 miles since top up and when sitting ticking over it's sitting at 3 quarters full which i expect but when I move off its moving up to full and back to 3 quarters again. Also when I turn ignition off the gaugue drops very slowly maybe 20 seconds, any ideas?

I'd guess that the up-and-down bit is just a result of how the float reacts/moves depending on the actual fuel level in the tank. So the changes under acceleration are just due to the fuel moving in the tank. Probably does similar under braking? It does seem a little odd that it'll do this, yet when you switch off it drops slowly. Just a design thing I think.

CRH · « **Reply #24 on:** 08 July 2013, 12:20:16 pm »

Quote from: cambo on 08 July 2013, 11:23:43 am

Mine started playing up yesterday, i've done 60 miles since top up and when sitting ticking over it's sitting at 3 quarters full which i expect but when I move off its moving up to full and back to 3 quarters again. Also when I turn ignition off the gaugue drops very slowly maybe 20 seconds, any ideas?

....hi cambo mine does exactly like yours as nick says mabe design thing?..mines a 02 foxeye with only 6k on clock and as been same since buying it with 4k!!....