K11 Owners Group

sdaniel · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject: No low fuel idiot light.

Hi,

My idiot light has never worked, started t-shooting today.

The light comes on during selftest at startup.

I checked the flapper full/empty, I get 0 ohm always on the white wire under the tank. on the signal wire to the gauge, im getting a deflection. somewhere between 19ohms and 120ohms, erratic, i think the resistor for the gauge is gone. Which is ok, I'm putting a volt meter in its place anyway. (it didn't work either)

What causes the light to come on? (don't say 12vdc Smile

)
_________________
1993 K1100LT

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Jim · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject:

What causes it come on during start up? Or what causes it to come on when you're low on fuel?
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

sdaniel · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

I understand the self diagnostic during startup. My problem it doesn't come when I'm low on fuel.

thanks,
_________________
1993 K1100LT

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

RobWheatley · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:22 pm Post subject:

Hi
The Fuel warning light should not be coming on at startup at all, the only time it should light is if your low on fuel, there is NO self diagnostic for it.

It works on seperate contacts in the fuel sender unit so it wont matter if the sender has failed.

I would say that a PO had re-wired the light for something other than fuel, you should have ignition (charge) oil, ABS and rear light/brake lights on self test.

You will have to trace the wiring and see what has been done.

Rob
_________________
1999 K1100LTIC Smooth and Quiet Smile

Cruise, BFD & HID
1996 K1100RS. dead but not forgotten.

sdaniel · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks,

I checked it again, I thought it came on at startup, it doesn't. Maybe my bulb is bad.

What signal on the white wire does anyone have on a low fuel level condition?

(don"t want to remove the fairing to get at the gauge custer unless I have to.)

thanks,
_________________
1993 K1100LT

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

sdaniel · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks,

I checked it again, I thought it came on at startup, it doesn't. Maybe my bulb is bad.

What signal on the white wire does anyone have on a low fuel level condition?

(don"t want to remove the fairing to get at the gauge custer unless I have to.)

thanks,
_________________
1993 K1100LT

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

RobWheatley · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

Hi
I have a full tank of fuel at the moment so cant check, I do have an old sender that i will plug in tomorrow if that helps.
_________________
1999 K1100LTIC Smooth and Quiet Smile

Cruise, BFD & HID
1996 K1100RS. dead but not forgotten.

sdaniel · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject:

That would be great,

Thanks,
_________________
1993 K1100LT

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Phil Marvin · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject:

Hi, sdaniel,
You don't have to remove the fairing to remove the instrument cluster. It's a bitch, but you can remove the cluster. Remove the windshield, then remove the cover under the windshield with the motor, rails, etc. still attached. Now you will be able to get to the cluster and under it to remove the bolts which attach it. Once you have it loose, undo the small screw and unplug the cluster. Now take it where you can take it apart to get to the bulb, if that's what you think is the problem. I hope this helps.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject:

IIRC there is some electronics between sender & lamp. They "poll" the sender every 5 minutes, if low the lamp lights. The reason for the timer:- if it wasn't there, the low fuel would flash under acceleration, hill climbing & bumpy roads.
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject:

If your going to pull the inst cluster I can tell you that the low fuel lamp circuit should be terminal #7 with a white wire.

If you separate the 4 wire plug at the rear of the fuel tank, take the white wire on the harness side(not the side going to the tank) and connect it to ground it should light the low fuel lamp.

The source power comes from the inst cluster internally, goes thru the lamp to the float assy which then grounds the circuit when the float is low enough, thusly turning on the lamp.
_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

sdaniel · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:32 pm Post subject:

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

A common failure here is the wires themselves which break inside the insulation (usually but not always, the pump feed dies first).
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:15 am Post subject:

sdaniel · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject: