Fuel Gauge on stock cluster?

[Pho Man]

On my 90 240sx, since I've put the Red top in and the car now has walbro 255 in the tank. I've driven the car down to E and the low gas light still doesn't come on, even when it's slightly below the E mark it still doesnt come on. I was just wondering if anyone else knows when the dang thing is supposed to come on. I really don't feel like running out of gas to test it out!

[Rayne]

The gas light not coming on is fairly common. Some individuals have been able to get 300+ miles to the tank before the light came on.

If you do decide to test it out keep some extra gas on hand when the engine does start sputtering.

[D.Bo]

does it ever come on?? cause if not the light might be blown.... my cluster was acting up so i swapped clusters wit a spare i had and the fuel light started workin. i looked at the old cluster and pulled the bulb out and it was burnt. hope that helps

[blueshark123]

Stop being cheap and fill ur gas tank ur gonna mess up ur fuel pump from running low on gas cause the gas keeps the pump cool.

[g6civcx]

I was just wondering if anyone else knows when the dang thing is supposed to come on.

Go to the junkyard or find a local car that's being parted out. Get the fuel pump and the harness.

First, you want to test the junk pump's low fuel sensor. Pull out the FSM and find the low fuel sensor signal and ground. Check for continuity on these two pins while you play with the float. I also described the wires in one of my posts. Search.

Once you're satisfied that the junk pump's low fuel sensor is good, unplug the body harness from your pump and plug it into the junk pump.


Turn the key to ON. The fuel pump may sputter a little bit so be ready. Note that this may damage a stock pump when priming with no fuel but on a junk pump you don't care so it's ok.

Play with the float with your fingers and see if moving the float up and down trips the low fuel light.

If the light doesn't come on at all, suspect your bulb in the cluster or some broken wire along the way. Follow the sensor wire all the way back to the cluster and fix anything broken along the way.


Honestly, that's a lot of work for the idiot light. I would simply just watch your fuel level and don't run below half.


Tidbit: S13 fuel pickup has been known to struggle with fuel level below 1/4 = possibility of running lean = blown motor on high boost. Be warned.

[Pho Man]

thanks for the help guys, i'll definitely check the bulb first since it will be the easiest thing to do.

I do know that some people are getting great gas mileage on there 240sx's. My S14 before I tore it down got great gas mileage. Got from Lynburg, Va to North of Carlisle, Pa(which is over 300 miles if i remember correctly) on just less than half tank. Although the car had Greddy emanage(with a Greddy Spec Boost Controller, which I left turned off so it was on stock 7lbs) on it so it was tuned. My 90 has FMIC, Air Filter, Turbo Outlet pipe, DP, exhaust with the walbro and isn't tuned running stock 7lbs.(does seem like I go through the gas alot qiucker)

G6civcx:
I will have to try that if the bulb isnt burnt out. Just will be a little hassle since it's my DD right now. Until I pick up my new Versa this month(then that will be my new DD!)