have a 88 vert with 76k miles on it and today for the first time i noticed that the fuel light didn't come on when my tank was getting low, usually comes on the first time around 14gal, i had almost completely ran out of gas when i filled up i put 15.9 gal into my tank, yet the light had not come on. The weather here has been quite hott with heat index in the 110-115 degree range and was curious if this had something to do with it or whether i had something else messing up? I would appreciate any help i can get.

 

check to see if your guage is off, mine is off and my car basically runs out of gas by the time it hits the first tick above the last one and it never goes low enough for the light to go on.

 

my gauge is accurate as it its always been, someone has told me about the solder points in the warning light cluster, that it might be loose, anyone know anything about this?

 

The solder joints where the connector pins meet the circuit board can crack.
Resoldering them can fix many problems.
Try searching "cold solder joints" - you're not alone..

 

I've run out of gas twice because that light didn't work. The first time was the first week I bought it, the second time was the second week I bought it.

I gotta get my light working by the end of summer...

 

Just go by the mileage. Or don't let it go below 1/4 tank. It's not tough to keep gas in the car.

 

+1

 

This is too easy for words. The next time your sure the tank is low enough to turn on the fuel low light and it does not come on, do the following: Pull the fuel pump connector apart. Jumper the WHITE/RED wire to ground with the key to ON. The light should come on.

If the light comes on, suspect the fuel pump unit. If the light does not come on, suspect the idiot light cluster.

Download the online factory service manual and download the BODY ELECTRICAL chapter. It's written there.

The same can be said about problems with the gauge needle reading incorrect. The procedure for troubleshooting that is in the same section. Same for the oil pressure gauge etc.

 

Easy fix.

Pull into nearest gas station. Pump fuel. Pay cashier.

Seriously though, you should never have so little gas in your car that the light will come on. /says the guy who is under a 1/4 tank at the moment, hehe... remedied right after work.