2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

fuel warning light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 09:31 AM
  #1  
Eduardo Santos's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Portugal
Question fuel warning light

Hello everybody.
1987 Mazda RX-7 FC S4 N/A, imported from the USA.

When the Fuel warning light, lights, does that mean that there are:
=> 5 liters (or 1.3 gallons) of fuel left on the fuel tank
=> 10 liters (or 2.64 gallons) of fuel left on the fuel tank
=> 15 liters (or 4 gallons) of fuel left on the fuel tank
=> other???

When I bought the car, it didn't came with the owner's manual along with it, so I have to ask...
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 09:37 AM
  #2  
AGreen's Avatar
Trunk Ornament
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 2
From: Goose Creek, SC
According to my 1988 owner's manual, it's 11 liters (2.9 US gal).
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 10:21 AM
  #3  
misterstyx69's Avatar
Retired Moderator, RIP
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (142)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 136
From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
I'll say about 2 gallons also.(about 10L)
My light and gauge work very well and the gauge still reads a notch or two when the warning light goes on.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 10:31 AM
  #4  
sharingan 19's Avatar
Rotary Revolutionary
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, Tampa & Tallahassee
Lucky! I've never seen a working fc low fuel light....as a matter of fact I've never seen a working light in a first gen miata either.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 11:24 AM
  #5  
Eduardo Santos's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Portugal
The lamp should be easy to replace, I guess. Mine takes about 10 seconds to light on after I turn the key.
Thank you for the answer, guys.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 06:34 PM
  #6  
AGreen's Avatar
Trunk Ornament
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 2
From: Goose Creek, SC
My warning light cluster is so screwed up that the low fuel light stays on all the time. I even tried re-soldering all the points inside. The clock still works intermittently, and the fuel light stays on constantly. I'm pretty sure it's non-salvageable because all the components inside are all rusted out.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 08:09 PM
  #7  
clokker's Avatar
Cake or Death?
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 64
From: Mile High
I've got an S4 warning cluster if you want it...PM me.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2012 | 09:41 PM
  #8  
SpeedOfLife's Avatar
rotors excite me
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,083
Likes: 9
From: Central Iowa
The low fuel warning light is not particularly consistent from one FC to the next, and the sender is a frequent failure point. When I first bought mine my sender didn't work right, so the gauge got lower, lower, and lower, and I never got a low fuel light so I ran out of gas. I'm sure you could manually force the light circuit to power on to see if the bulb is still good, if it is then you probably have a bad sender (the mechanical level sensor in the tank). They're easy to swap out though, just don't strip the screws or drop anything in the tank and you'll be good to go.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 08:25 AM
  #9  
HAILERS2's Avatar
Rotary Freak
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 2
From: FORT WORTH TEXAS
Originally Posted by Eduardo Santos
The lamp should be easy to replace, I guess. Mine takes about 10 seconds to light on after I turn the key.
Thank you for the answer, guys.
I'm not sure what your saying there above. The light should not come on immediatley when the key is turned to ON. There should be a delay before it comes on after you turn the key to ON.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 12:40 PM
  #10  
Eduardo Santos's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Portugal
Yes, that's what I meant. I turn the key into the ON position (don't need to start the engine), and after like 10 seconds, the fuel light slowly fades in. It doesn't now because I've filled the fuel tank
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 05:03 PM
  #11  
Rob XX 7's Avatar
FC guy
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 17
From: Long Island, New York
The low fuel light and the fuel sender are seperate from each other. I wouldnt rely on either anymore.

Few full tank and trip resets to get an idea of your economy and then error on the safe side until you know your vehicle.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2012 | 05:15 AM
  #12  
Eduardo Santos's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Portugal
Yeah, I think they are both working correctly on my car, thought. But I will safely carry a 5 liter bottle with petrol in it in my car when I test that system (if it's working correctly or not).
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Queppa
New Member RX-7 Technical
11
Nov 18, 2024 03:47 AM
stickmantijuana
Microtech
30
Apr 23, 2016 06:37 PM
fastsaab
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
Aug 19, 2015 11:42 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:46 AM.