K11 Owners Group

RTDude · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: Gas Gauge & fuel warning light

As I left for work the other morning I noticed my fuel on dead empty and the nasty yellow light was glowing. Shocked

I don't mind going to the gas station but I NEVER bring a vehicle home with less than a 1/4 tank.

Sure enough, when I fueled up it only took 2.5 gal. Confused

However, the gas gauge still read empty and the yellow light was on. Later on during the commute, it was stop and go on I-95. I would occasionally use the kill switch to turn off the bike and save fuel. I notice after a bit that the fuel gauge was working correctly and the yellow light was out. It worked fine the rest of the trip. That afternoon it worked fine. I worked ok today.

Has anyone had this happen to them?
_________________
Older but not old
1997 K1100LT, 41,000 miles

rbm · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:22 pm Post subject:

Not specifically 'that' problem but it smacks of poor electrical connections in and around the tank connector, instrument pod and/or to the guage. It would be worthwhile to clean those connections and treat using Deoxit to prevent the effects of corrosion on electrical connections.
_________________
- Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

Shoganai · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 10:17 am Post subject:

I'm not sure what caused that. Crying or Very sad

But can you make it to here this spring >>> http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8789

I Hope was Very Happy

-Gwen
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

blackcash · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:18 pm Post subject:

I have a question how many gallons in the tank are you suppose to have to not have the low fuel light come on ? Cause I believe my unit is also on the fritz due to sitting unused .

whyoldbill · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject:

somehwere between 1 and 1.5 gallon should be when the light turns on. But you can adjust that to your personal liking by CAREFULLY bending the float arm to read where you want it to.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
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
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

blackcash · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 1:52 am Post subject:

Just got home from work and thought while I was gone. If the electrical component for the sending unit was bad would the light still come on to indicate low fuel or would the light stay on indicating something was wrong ?
_________________
87 k75 31,000 "Blackcash"

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject:

If there were bad wiring connections the light would be off as the circuit for the light would not be complete.

If the guage is reading bone empty and the light is staying on, possibility that the float arm is sticking in the down position or that the ball isn't floating anymore.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
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
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

RTDude · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:18 am Post subject: Float arm

Well, based upon one of the responses, I took the gas cap assembly off and peered inside. there was approximately 1/2 tank of gas present. The "arm" with the white float ball attached was resting on the tank bottom, right side. It was not floating. I used a long screwdriver to lift the arm, it moved freely. I am assuming the float should work whether the ignition is on or not.
Moving the float arm also moved a mechanical assembly towards the back of the tank. I couldn't see if it was powered or not because my match kept going out. Shocked

No, of course not, but the flashlight did not reveal any apparent issue, accept that the ball was resting comfortable on the bottom.

When I reinstalled the gas cap I did so with the hinge forward. It just seems easier that way.

At this time the gauge is not working and the light is out.
_________________
Older but not old
1997 K1100LT, 41,000 miles

Jim · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:27 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you need a new ball Very Happy

_________________
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."

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:01 pm Post subject:

RTDude · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject: Partial remedy

By accident I discovered that if I start the bike while on the centerstand everything works as it should. Confused

Separate issue but an electrical problem. after riding about 20 minutes my left turn signal stops working.

Starting to wonder about this bike Sad

_________________
Older but not old
1997 K1100LT, 41,000 miles

E T · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:22 pm Post subject:

hfxrzw · Mad Brick Rider Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 78

Please turn the cap around. If you have a good look you'll see that the hinge has to be at the aft part, so the drain recess on the left lines up with the drain line through the tank to prevent rain (or ice/snow) water to drain into the tank (or eyebrow sweat for you in warmer climates . Very Happy

).

The alarm, light should come at 5 litres left, which is slightly re than 1 US gallon.

Your float is having a leak and therefore doesn't float anymore. Replace the float and problem solved.
_________________
Cheers, Rene

Greetings from Florida.

BMW K100 '85

E T · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 2:46 am Post subject:

RTDude

The gas gauge is a reflection of the position of the float arm inside the tank. I took the gas cap assembly off and noticed the that float ball (acts just like the ball in your toilet bowl) which is attached to the level arm, was sitting on the bottom of the tank. I put it all back together for another day.

Today I took the cap assembly off, and reached in and removed the ball, it slides off the arm pretty easily. The ball was about 3/4 full of gasoline. I could not discern any leakage anywhere. So I took a sewing needle and poked a hole in opposite sides. Wiped it off and blew into one hole. A steady stream of gas came out the other side. I did this until it was empty. Then I went into my bathroom and held the ball under water. Water did not leak in, so I took a mouthful of water and gently blew into one hole until it came out the other side. After I had a pretty good amount in the ball I shook it around to "clean" it. Then I performed the blowing trick again to empty it.

Then I took a hot 15 W soldering iron and sealed the holes. I reinstalled the ball and everything works as it should. (Mortons wanted $108.00 to replace the part), I didn't get a quote for labor. I also turned the cap assembly around to its proper position.
----------------------------------------------------
The turn signal issue appears to be the result of age and dirt. I took the switch apart, blew everything with compressed air, then reassembled the switch. I took the bike out for a ride today, everything works just peachy.
Tadaaaaah!

Oh, just for the record, replacing the switch assembly would be $181.81.
_________________
Older but not old
1997 K1100LT, 41,000 miles

Jim · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:07 pm Post subject:

Good job! Figured it was your ball...

I use CorrosionX or DeoxIT on all the electrical connections and switches I can get to - seems to keep things working smoothly.
_________________
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."