Check gauges on low fuel?

[michaelmyers]

I keep getting check gauges when i reach almost empty on my gas. Is this the actual low fuel indicator or is something else wrong? Thanks

Kenny

[98maro]

That happens when u have low fuel
I guess is like a warning indicator. Low fuel, high temp or things like that. It only happens to me when fuel level is low.

[justinmc978]

it is just literally telling you to check your gauges, many cars have a light up gas tank to show they have less than 2 gallons, ours has the multipurpose 'check gauges' instead. if your coolant temp gets too high the light will also come on, just keep your tank full and you wont have to worry about it

[35th-ANV-SS]

First off, you should NEVER be letting your LS1 or any other car for that matter be running on fumes.

The gas in your tank is what keeps your fuel pump cool. Keep running your tank low and you'll be looking at replacing your fuel pump.

[michaelmyers]

well im not running it on fumes, once i see the light i go get gas, simple. thanks for the input guys!

[35th-ANV-SS]

well im not running it on fumes, once i see the light i go get gas, simple. thanks for the input guys!

A few gallons of gas in your tank is not enough to fully submerge your fuel pump...simply put.

[Smittro]

well im not running it on fumes, once i see the light i go get gas, simple. thanks for the input guys!

That's what 35th is talking about.. Waiting for the light to come on is a bad thing..

[pajeff02]

Try not to let it get much below 5 gallons in the tank -- just under 1/4 on our gas gauge is a good fill up point.

[justinmc978]

Try not to let it get much below 5 gallons in the tank -- just under 1/4 on our gas gauge is a good fill up point.

agreed.

[JWSmythe]

I keep getting check gauges when i reach almost empty on my gas. Is this the actual low fuel indicator or is something else wrong? Thanks

Kenny

It's called a dummy light for a reason. Hey dummy, look at your gauges.

No offense intended, I didn't make up the name.

Someone else mentioned, never, ever, ever run your car to empty. Well, you can, but.... If you've ever changed the fuel pump in one of these cars, you'll see why. I had to change two pumps in my '98 TA. The first one went at about 75k miles, when a friend borrowed it and was coming back from a 100 mile trip. She got stuck on a freezing night (it was 28 degrees when I got there), on a moonless night, 10 miles from the nearest exit. It took me an hour to get to her. Her and her son were huddled in the front seat trying to stay warm. Thank got I had my '00 WS/6. After I got there, it still took the tow truck two hours to arrive. One long tow and hours of work later, the problem was fixed.

BTW, when your fuel pump finally dies, it's a whole lot easier to cut a hatch in the rear deck than to drop the tank.

So, if you've ever R&R the fuel pump, you'll see it's a little electric motor towards the top of the tank. There's a bypass block somewhere close to the drivers seat. While the pump is running and the fuel rail is fully pressurized, it dumps gas back over the pump to keep it cool. It's barely enough. Under normal conditions (like, when your tank is full), sitting in the big bath of liquid keeps it nice and cool, and it'll last a long time. Just having fuel dumped over it does ok, but it's not great. The electric motor will overheat and die. I've never heard of a car catching fire because of it, but I'd much prefer to be driving, than sitting on the side of the road watching the hazard lights blink slower and slower as the battery dies.

Generally, try to keep 1/2 tank or more in there. It'll help a lot.

Oh, and don't buy a cheap aftermarket replacement pump off of eBay. Mine lasted about 2 months, and I was changing it again.