1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Low fuel idiot light not working!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-10-03, 03:57 PM
  #1  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
 
bliffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: SF BayArea
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Low fuel idiot light not working!

I ran out of gas saturday, and I think it's because I depend on the low fuel idiot light to work! And it's not working on any of my 3 cars. What's up? How do I fix it?

B
Old 11-10-03, 04:00 PM
  #2  
Prosthetic head.

 
excitingleopard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,079
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
haha yeah if that light ever stopped working on me I'd be screeewwed.
Old 11-10-03, 04:06 PM
  #3  
Have RX-7, will restore


iTrader: (91)
 
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,713
Received 1,053 Likes on 892 Posts
mine has NEVER worked!!!!! good luck. if you find out, i'll be the first in line to fix mine!
Old 11-10-03, 04:08 PM
  #4  
The infamous number guy!

 
O 16581 72452 5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Terre Haute, IN.
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I must've worn mine out, i never went anywhere without it on.
Old 11-10-03, 04:09 PM
  #5  
Beware Of Squirrely Wrath

 
BrianHeston's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: SW Washington
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do all the years have idiot lights, or just some years/models? Cause if mines got one, I had no clue.

Brian
Old 11-10-03, 04:11 PM
  #6  
The infamous number guy!

 
O 16581 72452 5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Terre Haute, IN.
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Turn your key into the "on" position without starting it, look at your idiot lights, there should be a yellow one with a gas pump.
Old 11-10-03, 04:23 PM
  #7  
Have RX-7, will restore


iTrader: (91)
 
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,713
Received 1,053 Likes on 892 Posts
comes on, just does not work when fuel is low?!
Old 11-10-03, 04:53 PM
  #8  
Junior Member

 
cableguykj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: va
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Might be the sending unit. If the gas guage works then the float is working. Actually come to think of it thats strange the low fuel light wouldnt work yet the gas gauge would continue to work. Guess im not too sure exactley how it all works.

If it is the sending unit i have one from my old rusted gas tank that i know is good. PM me if you want it.

ps: just replaced my manual choke....what a PAIN IN THE ***!!!!!!!!!!! japanses hands! I need small japanese hands!!!
Old 11-10-03, 06:15 PM
  #9  
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: KY
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dunno how to fix it. My 1980 doesn't have one. The last couple of times I have gotten gas I have had less than 1 gallon in the tank. Try Zen driving!
Old 11-11-03, 08:26 PM
  #10  
Aussie Rx7 Freak

 
Mr_Rx7_Au's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
s3 here in oz don't have em hehe. oh well, how hard is it to look at the needle?!
Old 11-11-03, 08:47 PM
  #11  
RX-7 Alumni

 
Rex4Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Spacecenter Houston
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Looks like there is a switch in the sender unit at the gas tank that closes at some setting. Wish I knew how to fix it cause mine doesn't work either.
Old 11-11-03, 09:19 PM
  #12  
Boosted 7

 
Matty's first 1st Gen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
do the gauges have to be removed inorder to change the lights?
Old 11-11-03, 09:58 PM
  #13  
Have RX-7, will restore


iTrader: (91)
 
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,713
Received 1,053 Likes on 892 Posts
yes, the entire gauge pod needs to be removed.
Old 11-11-03, 10:45 PM
  #14  
Full Member

 
gump's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Toms River, NJ
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
check the 3 prong connection on the top of the fuel sender on the gas tank, it sits behind and inside the driverside tire in the wheel well. You'll have to remove a cover panel to get to it. The metal prongs on mine was corroded all the way through. picked up another sender unit but I had to drop the gastank out to replace it. I think this happens to a lot of these cars. Check that. this should be a f.a.q.
Old 11-11-03, 10:56 PM
  #15  
---------------------

 
Keaponlaffen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Kamloops BC Canada
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
there should be a thermosistor in the tank that comes on when the temperature gets high enough for it to activate (like when the gas is below its level)

if that thermosistor isn't working, the idiot light won't come on, but the fuel guage will still work, as the two circuits are completely separate (hence the 3 wires instead of two coming out of the tank)

But, on a side note, you guys shouldn't be running your cars that low on gas anyways, as the dirt, etc at the bottom of the tank becomes more concentrated, as well as water (condensation becomes a problem when it gets cooler outside) that will get sucked into your fuel system.
Old 11-12-03, 12:02 AM
  #16  
sold the FD...kept the FB

 
FD Racer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
only 84-85 model years have them
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
astrum
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
24
11-15-17 08:44 AM
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
11-17-15 05:57 PM
immanuel__7
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
89
09-05-15 10:23 AM



Quick Reply: Low fuel idiot light not working!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:37 AM.