Problem with Low Fuel Indicator Light
 

The low fuel indicator light on my friend's '99 Accord does not seem to be
working. Basically, the gauge works and goes to E, but the indicator does
not seem to come on anymore.

1) How probable is it that the bulb simply burned out? (She drives a lot
and tends to run the car until the indicator comes on.)

2) Is there anyway of testing the low fuel circuit short of running the car
out of gas? The gauge does work. And the lamp self test when you turn the
ignition key on does not seem to test the low fuel indicator bulb. (At
least what I gather from the manual.)

3) Assuming it might be the bulb, how easy is it to pull the instrument
cluster on an Accord? It appears there a few screws across the top of the
cluster. Is it as easy as undoing those and working it out? (I've pulled
the cluster on a '87 Toyota Supra, and the trick there was just finding the
screws which seem to be in the same basic positions as on the Accord.)

Any suggestions on how to approach and solve this mystery will be greatly
appreciated!

Thanks!

Don

Re: Problem with Low Fuel Indicator Light
 

You need to check the bulb first by jumpering two wires on the
connector going to the fuel pump. Haynes repair manual in auto stores
should tell you the exact ones. I think it's wires #1 and #3, not sure.
If the bulb doesn't light with the wires jumpered, then it's the bulb.

The low fuel light is operated by a separate level sensor. It can go
bad. I heard those years of Hondas (many different models) have trouble
with fuel sender units. The level at Full may be off, or the low fuel
level light doesn't work. The metal used on earlier sensors interact
with sulfur in the fuel.

It might be easier to jumper the wires before getting at the instrument
panel -- 3 easy screws for the access cover and disconnect the
connector.

Don wrote:
> The low fuel indicator light on my friend's '99 Accord does not seem to be
> working. Basically, the gauge works and goes to E, but the indicator does
> not seem to come on anymore.
>
> 1) How probable is it that the bulb simply burned out? (She drives a lot
> and tends to run the car until the indicator comes on.)
>
> 2) Is there anyway of testing the low fuel circuit short of running the car
> out of gas? The gauge does work. And the lamp self test when you turn the
> ignition key on does not seem to test the low fuel indicator bulb. (At
> least what I gather from the manual.)
>
> 3) Assuming it might be the bulb, how easy is it to pull the instrument
> cluster on an Accord? It appears there a few screws across the top of the
> cluster. Is it as easy as undoing those and working it out? (I've pulled
> the cluster on a '87 Toyota Supra, and the trick there was just finding the
> screws which seem to be in the same basic positions as on the Accord.)
>
> Any suggestions on how to approach and solve this mystery will be greatly
> appreciated!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Don

Re: Problem with Low Fuel Indicator Light
 

John,

I gather the access cover you are referring too is in the trunk? Definitely
sounds like the way to go in terms of ease of checking.

Thanks!

Don



<johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1138477880.335538.317230@g44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> You need to check the bulb first by jumpering two wires on the
> connector going to the fuel pump. Haynes repair manual in auto stores
> should tell you the exact ones. I think it's wires #1 and #3, not sure.
> If the bulb doesn't light with the wires jumpered, then it's the bulb.
>
> The low fuel light is operated by a separate level sensor. It can go
> bad. I heard those years of Hondas (many different models) have trouble
> with fuel sender units. The level at Full may be off, or the low fuel
> level light doesn't work. The metal used on earlier sensors interact
> with sulfur in the fuel.
>
> It might be easier to jumper the wires before getting at the instrument
> panel -- 3 easy screws for the access cover and disconnect the
> connector.
>
> Don wrote:
> > The low fuel indicator light on my friend's '99 Accord does not seem to
be
> > working. Basically, the gauge works and goes to E, but the indicator
does
> > not seem to come on anymore.
> >
> > 1) How probable is it that the bulb simply burned out? (She drives a
lot
> > and tends to run the car until the indicator comes on.)
> >
> > 2) Is there anyway of testing the low fuel circuit short of running the
car
> > out of gas? The gauge does work. And the lamp self test when you turn
the
> > ignition key on does not seem to test the low fuel indicator bulb. (At
> > least what I gather from the manual.)
> >
> > 3) Assuming it might be the bulb, how easy is it to pull the instrument
> > cluster on an Accord? It appears there a few screws across the top of
the
> > cluster. Is it as easy as undoing those and working it out? (I've
pulled
> > the cluster on a '87 Toyota Supra, and the trick there was just finding
the
> > screws which seem to be in the same basic positions as on the Accord.)
> >
> > Any suggestions on how to approach and solve this mystery will be
greatly
> > appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Don
>

Re: Problem with Low Fuel Indicator Light
 

Don wrote:
> The low fuel indicator light on my friend's '99 Accord does not seem to be
> working. Basically, the gauge works and goes to E, but the indicator does
> not seem to come on anymore.
>
> 1) How probable is it that the bulb simply burned out? (She drives a lot
> and tends to run the car until the indicator comes on.)

likely.
>
> 2) Is there anyway of testing the low fuel circuit short of running the car
> out of gas? The gauge does work. And the lamp self test when you turn the
> ignition key on does not seem to test the low fuel indicator bulb. (At
> least what I gather from the manual.)

is it turning on during the self-test? if not, theres your answer.

only other way would be to pull the sending unit from the tank and play
with it.

Re: Problem with Low Fuel Indicator Light
 

Yes, the access cover in the tank.

I don't think this light turns on during key-on lamp test per manual.