Author Topic: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge  (Read 5566 times)

Offline Jimbenge

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 18
float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« on: May 10, 2015, 11:17:05 PM »
Here recently when my gas tank is full the gas gauge does not work (says empty) but when I use up some of the fuel it starts working.  I took the gas cap off and verified this by playing with the float.  Is there a way to adjust the switch ? or is the switch or sending unit just bad ?  Any ideas ?  Thanks in advance............  Luckily my odometer trip switch still works.
2015 K1600GTL & Getaway Trailer
1985 K100RT-EML Sidecar w/Kwik Kamp Tent Trailer
2006 Harley Sportster Roadster 1200R (In-Town)

Offline beemuker

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1112
Re: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2015, 12:03:29 AM »
mine lights when I have 1/2 of a tank left!
  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline rbm

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  • Posts: 2308
Re: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2015, 04:10:33 AM »
I wrote this tutorial:

Messing with the In-tank Fuel Sender

It sounds like disassembling and cleaning the sender will restore its operation.  It might be that the wiper loses contact with the resistor plate at a point in its travel.
  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline kioolt

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 237
Re: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2015, 07:45:29 AM »
I wrote this tutorial:

Messing with the In-tank Fuel Sender

It sounds like disassembling and cleaning the sender will restore its operation.  It might be that the wiper loses contact with the resistor plate at a point in its travel.

Good tutorial.  Do you think you could get it posted here http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech.shtml  ?
2018 R1200RT 8,000 miles,2004 R1150RT 189,000 miles
1991 K100LT 128,700 miles,1982 R100RT 106,900 miles
The cheapest thing on a BMW is the nut that connects the seat to the handlebars.

Offline Jimbenge

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 18
Re: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2015, 03:39:30 PM »
Thank You Robert:

Weird but I found your article last night and read thru it intently, great write up by the way.  I am headed out on a road trip Thursday to the Chicken Rally in Dunlap Tennessee.  So I won't attempt the fix now but will at some point.  Maybe after the National in Billings. Just out of curiosity,  is it necessary to replace the gasket when removing and replacing the sending unit ?
2015 K1600GTL & Getaway Trailer
1985 K100RT-EML Sidecar w/Kwik Kamp Tent Trailer
2006 Harley Sportster Roadster 1200R (In-Town)

Offline rbm

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 2308
Re: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2015, 05:41:22 PM »
I've found the gasket to be reusable for several times.  No need to replace it from my experience.
  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline rbm

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 2308
Re: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2015, 05:44:18 PM »
Good tutorial.  Do you think you could get it posted here http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech.shtml  ?
I have my doubts that would be possible.  The Ktech articles are taken from posts to the IBMWR mailing list, so the format has to be pure ASCII, no pics.  Aslo, I think the ktech summary is not being maintained any longer since the dates on the articles are pretty old now.  Haven't seen new articles added in a long time.
  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline kioolt

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 237
Re: float switch adjustment for fuel gauge
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2015, 07:39:18 PM »
Good tutorial.  Do you think you could get it posted here http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech.shtml  ?
I have my doubts that would be possible.  The Ktech articles are taken from posts to the IBMWR mailing list, so the format has to be pure ASCII, no pics.  Aslo, I think the ktech summary is not being maintained any longer since the dates on the articles are pretty old now.  Haven't seen new articles added in a long time.

I just checked three articles on ketch and found two had pictures.  I would really like to see this on the ketch page.
2018 R1200RT 8,000 miles,2004 R1150RT 189,000 miles
1991 K100LT 128,700 miles,1982 R100RT 106,900 miles
The cheapest thing on a BMW is the nut that connects the seat to the handlebars.

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