I have a 1984 Gsl Se and this past week the low fuel light has been staying on all the time. I filled up the car about 3 days ago and its currently at a quarter tank. Ever since I filled it the low fuel light has stayed on. Im wondering If anyone else has had this problem in the past.

 

When you fill it up, does it read a full tank, or just barely any?

 

Look in the driver's side rear wheel well, at the back of the wheel. There is a plastic cover hiding the fuel tank sending unit. Take off that panel and you will see where the sending unit goes into the tank. There will be 2 prong electrical connector (probably white plastic) that connects to the tank sending unit. I would say that there is a 95% chance that this is what's causing your problem. These connectors typically get dirty or rust, and cause a bad connection. Try pulling this plug off and cleaning out the rust/dirt. You could also just cut the end of the plug off and crimp on some new connections. Either way, this is probably what your issue is....

Jamie

 

For the 84/85 cars, it is a 3-prong connector: fuel level, low fuel light, and ground. For the light to come on all the time, either that wire (yellow w/ blue stripe) is grounding out or your fuel level sender is bad.

You can check the plug as Jamie said just to be sure everything is good on the wiring side of things. I have a feeling that it is probably the sender, though. If it is the sender, you have a couple options:

1. replace with new one ($100+)
2. replace with good used one (maybe $20-$30?)
3. remove the pin from connector with yellow wire w/ blue stripe (free)
4. remove the bulb from the low fuel light in gauge cluster (free)
5. put electrical tape over low fuel light on cluster (free, easiest, looks ghetto, though).

Option 1 will fix the problem and give you a working light. Option 2, should do the same assuming it is a good part. Options 3-5 will disable the fuel light, but you can still use the gauge.

Good luck.

Kent