Low Fuel Light

[LuckyEddie]

Greetings,

The last couple of times that I left the bike parked in the sun for an extended period, the low fuel light has come on. There is plenty of fuel in the tank. On both occasions, I have gone to the gas station and filled it up (less than 2 gallons each time) and the light goes out as I beleive the added fuel cools the tank.
My question is...... Is the low fuel sensor triggered by actual fuel level or does it sense temperature differance to determine that no fuel is at that level.

Thanks for your wisdom,

[3Phase]

Eddie, the light works with a thermistor (thermal resistor). When the fuel level drops the thermstor is gradually uncovered and heats up, lowering its resistance and allowing enough current to flow to light up the warning lamp.

Leaving the bike parked in the sun could heat the fuel in the tank enough that it doesn't cool the thermistor and the warning lamp comes on sooner than it should.


Regards,

Scott

[Korr]

Forget the fuel guage, it's too random. Just rely on your trip meter. Even then i still open up the gas cap to look inside to check how much gas i have left.

[LuckyEddie]

Scott,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I like to know the "how and why" of the way things work. Now I know that there is not an electrical gremlin that I should be chasing in regaurds to the fuel light.

[rpgoerlich]

Just ran through the first tank of Fuel on the XS11 Special and the low fuel light came on like it should. I stopped and fueled it up. Now it wont go off! Checked resistance on it and had 35ohms. Until I run through this tank I just disconnected it. I did however note that I went 90mi before it came on and I switched to reserve . 29.8mpg(too much fun riding!)