My gas light wont come on. the meter has been all the way down to like the top of the E, and it still doesnt go on. when i turn the key the first time so that just the car is on, all the lights light up. my brake light lights up, by my dam gas light wont light up. can someone tell me how to fix this?? thanks.

 

I had the same problem. You might have to replace the sending unit.

 

where is that, and is that a lot of work?

 

I've tested this a couple of times and mine never really comes on until it's right on E. Doesn't really matter though, I always check my gauges about every 30 seconds.

 

I had that for a long time. Then all of the sudden it started working. On my old 87 it came on when there was about 2 gallons left. On the 86 I have now, it comes on somewhere between 1.5 and .5 gallons. So I just fill up when it gets down close to E and don't worry about it.

 

You are lucky one!!!

Mine is on all the time ;p

 

I'm not sure, but I think it's in the tank. I wasn't present when the work was done. My light just didn't work one day so I drove a few more days thinking maybe something's stuck and it'll repair itself - to no avail.

Shop put in new sending unit and now when I get to about 1/8th tank light comes on.

If you're thinking about a fuel pump upgrade this might be a good time if you're in a turbo.

 

If all other warning lights come on, it could be the bulb itself. It puts a big strain on the fuel pump when the level is low because it has to work harder due to less pressure on the pump (not fuel pressure but the pressure from the weight of the gas in the tank, sorry confusing) and every time you corner hard when the level is below 1/4 or so you are starving the pump for fuel.. I never let my tank get much below half.

 

Here's the scoop:

If you pull the fuel pump (under metal panel, drivers side) which is inside the gas tank, you'll also see a box with a black float on the end of a bended wire arm (fuel level sensor). You'll also see a thing that looks like a bullet at the end of a straight wire arm. The bullet is the sending unit for the low fuel level light.

These go bad all the time apparently. It can be replaced separately (couple nuts and a wire connector), but I don't know if a new one can be purchased separately. I've tried replacing it a couple times with ones from a wrecking yard, but they were bad too.

I think it's just one of those live with it things.