Low Fuel Warning Light - Not Working

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:07 pm

Mine lights up, more often than I'd like

Doesn't come on with the lower bank of lights that do when I turn the ignition though, I'm assuming that's normal operation

littlefeller · Post by **littlefeller** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:34 am

mine used to light dimly at 2 bars like gaynos, but last year or so it only lights up when it has no bars left

i have also noticed that it doest warn you imiedietly when the ignition is switched on, you have to drive for about half a mile first, then it lights up. mine does NOT come on and never has with the ignition, in fact most cars dont. your bulb is prob fine, yours doest get enought use to blow (unlike mine which is almost perminantly on

). try putting a can of fuel in the boot and run yours till the light does come on, if it doest then you have a can of fuel in the boot. i have run mine completly dry a few times.

Post by **indigolemon** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:12 am

The low fuel light seems to be intelligent to a degree though. If I granny the car it tends to stay off, but hit the loud pedal enough and it appears. So I think it warns you more if you are 'hooning'.

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:25 pm

ok - we've established that the light doesn't come on with the ignition - which is normal operation. Thinking about it I think mine was like that too. But it definately used to work and glowed when getting low. I can now drive until no bars are displayed at all - running on vapours - and the light never comes on. So I am going to try swapping the bulb over - gulp - never had the 4th gen dash out before - I been told its quite easy.

Does anyone know about the bulbs? I need a 3W 286 bulb (18mm length) and I can't find any 3W versions (loads of 1.2 and 2.3W). Can I use a LED replacement or would it blow?

Post by **Gayno** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:33 pm

You can use an LED no problem. Just remember that they are positive/negative specific, so if you put it in the wrong way, then it still won't work

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:54 pm

Thanks Adam, will a lower wattage LED blow though...when the stock bulb is 3W?

I might try the following....according to the diagram shorting the GRN/WHT to the BLK will test the light out. If it lights up - then the bulb is ok and its the fuel sender. However my guage is working so it cant be the sender can it.....must be the bulb.

At least I will be able to check my new bulb out before I put the dash back together.

Post by **indigolemon** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:21 pm

Lower wattage is fine. That's the draw the bulb/led pulls - not what's pushed through it. As long as the voltage is correct you're sorted. Interested to see how an LED copes with the dimming though.

littlefeller · Post by **littlefeller** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:44 am

no it wont dim, leds are either on or off

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:20 am

The LED's I fitted to a model train dimmed with the voltage of the track when I used an analogue set up

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 1:42 pm

I have leds fitted in the ignition key light in mine, and that also feeds my under dash lights. I'm sure they gradually fade in and out when coming on or off.