Fuel Guage - Digital

[Bangorbob]

Took the analog gages out and put in voltmeter. Fuel gage would register fuel when filled. About 4-5 fillups ago the digital gage would not register full anymore. 1 empty square at the top.
Evap cannister removed. Still not showing full tank. Anyone else have/had this problem?
I know I can check mileage before fill ups, but wondering why gage inaccuate.

 

[2dogs]

How did you know you had a full tank to begin with? Maybe the analog gauge wasn't telling you the truth. After the automatic gas pump's first shut-off, I can safely cram another gallon of gas in my tank. That's another 40 miles.

 

[Bangorbob]

I probably knew it was full when the gas kept coming out. After filling tanks in all sorts of vehicles for almost 60 years I kinda know. BTW, I was talking about my digital gauge.

 

[Bfromla]

Have also had problems getting full pegs topped off or not:dontknow: has actually registered as full at times , just not often. :lecturef_smilie: On that extra gallon after auto stop :sour: can & does become expen$ive screw up:barf:

 

[2dogs]

I probably knew it was full when the gas kept coming out. After filling tanks in all sorts of vehicles for almost 60 years I kinda know. BTW, I was talking about my digital gauge.

You mentioned both gauges.

 

[2dogs]

..... On that extra gallon after auto stop :sour: can & does become expen$ive screw up ....

How does that become expen$ive? I top off with one gallon at each fill-up after the auto-stop. The only expense I've encountered is the price of one gallon of gas.

 

[Bangorbob]

Thanks for the replies. As far as expensive. I guess filling the evap canister and getting it replaced by the dealer can be expensive, otherwise I'm stumped.

 

[bcer960]

I pulled the gauges a couple years ago, and I would say that even with topping off the tank, I only show full maybe 1/3 the time. Some times it shows not full, then few miles down the road, it's full. I chalk that up to the gas swashing around enough that the computer thinks it is full.

 

[2dogs]

Thanks for the replies. As far as expensive. I guess filling the evap canister and getting it replaced by the dealer can be expensive, otherwise I'm stumped.

Check with someone else on this site but I think the evap canister issue was resolved with the 1330's in 2014 and newer. Mine is a 14 and I've never had that problem. Someone will respond.

 

[Bfromla]

How does that become expen$ive? I top off with one gallon at each fill-up after the auto-stop. The only expense I've encountered is the price of one gallon of gas.

Thanks for the replies. As far as expensive. I guess filling the evap canister and getting it replaced by the dealer can be expensive, otherwise I'm stumped.

Yes purge valve & evap simply from that extra topping off on 998

 

[Bangorbob]

I removed my evap canister anyway. Reason for doing so was gas smelled up my garage after a ride. Thought it wouldn't hurt. Mine is a 16 RT.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Looking at the service manual for my 2014 RT I suspect a problem with the fuel level sensor. It is part of the fuel pump. From what I see in the service manual photo the float is attached to a fairly thin wire. Either the float lever is bent and rubs against the pump causing it to rise and fall erratically or the resistor pad that is the heart of the level gauge doesn't have good electrical contact through the entire range. Maybe it's dirty, or maybe the wiper doesn't make firm contact with the potentiometer wire. The level sensor is not shown as a separate replaceable part. If you're really handy take the fuel pump out and inspect the level sensor.

 

[Bfromla]

Looking at the service manual for my 2014 RT I suspect a problem with the fuel level sensor. It is part of the fuel pump. From what I see in the service manual photo the float is attached to a fairly thin wire. Either the float lever is bent and rubs against the pump causing it to rise and fall erratically or the resistor pad that is the heart of the level gauge doesn't have good electrical contact through the entire range. Maybe it's dirty, or maybe the wiper doesn't make firm contact with the potentiometer wire. The level sensor is not shown as a separate replaceable part. If you're really handy take the fuel pump out and inspect the level sensor.

*note to that : all part of the sending unit:sour: not easily removed, it sits directly underneath seat latch. Tank removal required to access :banghead::banghead. & has a plastic lid:dontknow: caution with hose connections

 

[Bangorbob]

Thanks to all for your input(s). The digital gauge is easier for me to read but I may put the analog back in just to see if it logs full. I do know the dashboard was changed about 7k miles ago.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Thanks to all for your input(s). The digital gauge is easier for me to read but I may put the analog back in just to see if it logs full. I do know the dashboard was changed about 7k miles ago.

If the analog gauges don't register full that would be a pretty strong indicator the level sensor is the problem.

 

[Mikey]

:agree:

 

[pegasus1300]

Thanks to all for your input(s). The digital gauge is easier for me to read but I may put the analog back in just to see if it logs full. I do know the dashboard was changed about 7k miles ago.

The digital gauge is easier to read,but they both take the readings from the same sender,so you will get the same result. My 2012 does the same as your 2014, I just ignor it and go by the trip meter and the gps. With Idaho's good explanation I may now try and fix it.

 

[pidjones]

People always complain about fuel gauges. Real world is that the tanks are not perfect straight-sided, but very oddly shaped (particularly bad on under-seat motorcycle tanks) and the sensors are linear devices. Perhaps calibration and a look-up table in the computer will make one more accurate, but for 99% of the vehicles on the road you have to calibrate yourself to the indicated level. Full and empty are just as subject to slight irregularities. My S-10 pickup will register full for about 75 miles after a fill-up. When a new fuel pump/sender was installed, that didn't change, but now it doesn't fall below 1/2 for about 200 miles. I just have to adjust my mental calibration.

 

[2dogs]

Slightly off-topic, but I was told long ago that manufacturers purposely installed fuel gages in their vehicles that registered full readings and near-empty readings which lasted a long time. The middle readings from 3/4's to 1/4 decreased more quickly. The reason, I was told was that it gave the owner/operator the impression they got better fuel mileage. I wouldn't believe that would apply to M/C riders because they have incredibly small fuel tanks compared to regular vehicle tanks. FWIW

 

[SOlsenPHS]

I recently removed the gauges as well and went to he digital fuel gauge. Every time I fill up, it doesn't register the top two bars until after I drive a little bit. Then all of a sudden all the bars are full.