Fuel low light staying on

[Deleted User]

I filled my 2001 Megane yesterday with £20 of petrol after the fuel low warning light came on. After filling up the light went off as normal. Today I start car and fuel low light is back on but I still have most of the petrol I but in yesterday left, also needle is between the last quarter and not in the red.

What could be causing this?

I had a little google and someone is saying it is a £200 fix. Not worth it.

AdrianC

What happens if you actually FILL the tank?

It's entirely possible that the low light is triggered by a separate switch in the tank - I've had it happen before - and that the only parts-swapping solution is to change the entire sender/pump unit. But that doesn't mean you can't change the switch if you really want.

Possibly a better solution is to stop mucking about with a tiny slosh of fuel in the bottom of the tank, then you won't have to rely on the light...

force_ten

AdrianC wrote: »

What happens if you actually FILL the tank?

It's entirely possible that the low light is triggered by a separate switch in the tank - I've had it happen before - and that the only parts-swapping solution is to change the entire sender/pump unit. But that doesn't mean you can't change the switch if you really want.

Possibly a better solution is to stop mucking about with a tiny slosh of fuel in the bottom of the tank, then you won't have to rely on the light...

you double the value of the car :rotfl::rotfl:

[Deleted User]

AdrianC wrote: »

What happens if you actually FILL the tank?

It's entirely possible that the low light is triggered by a separate switch in the tank - I've had it happen before - and that the only parts-swapping solution is to change the entire sender/pump unit. But that doesn't mean you can't change the switch if you really want.

Possibly a better solution is to stop mucking about with a tiny slosh of fuel in the bottom of the tank, then you won't have to rely on the light...

I don't rely on the light, it's just annoying having it lit up.

And I've never actually FILLED the tank before, just £20 here £30 there

force_ten wrote: »

you double the value of the car :rotfl::rotfl:

Agreed.

Strider590

Check your fuel tank for holes, some scrote may have drilled it to steel your fuel........

It's been happening a lot around here lately!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

the switch is activated by the fuel pump via its level arm. bang on the top of the fuel pump housing a few times (I think on those models its in the boot area or under the rear bench seat remove plate expose top and hit it a few times not so hard you break it but enough to dislodge whet ever is preventing it reading the tank properly)(did the trick in my megane 2004 and my BIL 2001 cabrio). if you drain out most the tank on a drive and then put £15-20 it doesn't actually do much in the way turning the light off.


Ofcourse is may actually be a fuel pump issue with the switch, or some chav needed some fuel for his over powered hair drier.

AdrianC

Umm, you do realise that you'll use exactly the same amount of fuel if you fill the tank or just chuck a splash in? You'll just spend a LOT less time in petrol stations... (and, when/if you find yourself with a short-term cashflow issue, chances are you've got one less thing to worry about)

heartbreak_star

AdrianC wrote: »

Umm, you do realise that you'll use exactly the same amount of fuel if you fill the tank or just chuck a splash in? You'll just spend a LOT less time in petrol stations... (and, when/if you find yourself with a short-term cashflow issue, chances are you've got one less thing to worry about)

I'd have agreed with this 2 months ago...up to the point I put £40 in the Corsa and it died 2 days later

HBS x

George_Michael

AdrianC wrote: »

Umm, you do realise that you'll use exactly the same amount of fuel if you fill the tank or just chuck a splash in?

Pedantic mode on.
Almost the same amount of fuel but not exactly the same amount
The extra weight of the fuel will have a small effect on the MPG figures obtained.

AdrianC

George_Michael wrote: »

Pedantic mode on.
Almost the same amount of fuel but not exactly the same amount
The extra weight of the fuel will have a small effect on the MPG figures obtained.

44kg of fuel in a brim-full 60l tank, in a 1200kg car...

[Deleted User]

Ever since my last car died unexpectedly I stopped brimming the tank, I didn't always fill the tank but often I did. Luckily at the time I was actually on my way to fill up when car died.

I really don't feel like putting £80 fuel in for car to conk out next day. It is 13 years old after all. I pass 2 petrol stations on way to work so it's not like I'm making a detour to refuel.