[Cabinetman]

I have run into the first issue with my two week old ST. The gas gauge does not read correctly. On the first tank of gas the gauge went from half full to one bar in less than 5 miles. I was a bit concerned, but decided to fill up and see if things would get better. Today I left my house with four bars shows and when I got to work there where two bars and the llow fuel light was on. When I left work the gauge showed over half a tank. I rode for about 25 miles and the gauge never dropped below half full and the low fuel light never came on. I stopped for gas and was able to put in 5.11 gallons so I was basically running on fumes. Any ideas what might be causing this problem?

Kevin

 

[SR1]

The gauge is non-linear as are the pre 05's. I have noticed that with a fill up the bike will run forever without the gauge moving, then it's rate of drop becomes nearly exponential. I have found that the distance to empty gauge is pretty spot on...I've had fill-ups of 5.28 gallons, lol. when the distance to empty gauge gets to about 15 miles I start sweating bullets. Try to get some in the 20 mile range or more and you'll be fine...at least I am on mine.

The low fuel light does come on at 2 or 3 bars, usually 2. I don't know why yours showed two bars that day and then acted "normally" later. Maybe a fluke. As with all computers, if something seems weird, reboot.

I will say that operating with 2-3 bars of fuel (only) is probably not the best idea, they do go faster than the top of the gauge.

[ This message was edited by: SR1 on 2006-11-08 16:59 ]

 

[DFWBiker]

Now you see why several of us have replaced the gas gauge with with other instruments that actually give useful information. Unfortunately, that isn't an option with the '05+ Sprints.

However, this problem isn't exclusive to the Sprint. I've had quite a few other bikes with similarly inaccurate gas gauges. For that reason, I rely on my trip meter to let me know when it's time to fill up...regardless of the bike I'm riding.

[ This message was edited by: DFWBiker on 2006-11-08 17:03 ]

 

[Django]

Take it back is my advice - clearly a problem which Triumph need to resolve on your individual bike.

Mine has worked perfectly over 7000 miles. It reads remarkably accurately, and in a predictable linear fashion, right down to about 12 miles where it cuts off. Once time I drove 9 miles after that before I could fill up. The 'miles to empty' function has also been superbly useful and pretty much spot on judging by the quantity of fuel needed to relenish.

Cheers,

Django

(determined to put the positive wherever I can having read so much negative without experience of anything other than the best bike I have ever ridden)

 

[mglemans86]

Mine seems to work just fine, Usually when the light comes on I have about a gallon left. By their nature MC fuel tanks are hard to measure very accurately due to their somewhat convoluted shape. The first inch down may be a gallon while the next inch down may be 3/4 gallon. Very non linear. I'd have it checked though since mine does seem to be accurate at least when the light comes on, Still I zero the odometer at every fill-up

 

[CLB]

My fuel gauge is useful enough but...

It does seem a bit non linear as described above.
The explanation I read was that horizontal tank area decreases as the level drops. Eventually all you have is the pump well which is mostly full of pump. Level drops fast with every unit volume removed at that point.

Furthermore it seems a bit temperature sensitive. It reads lower when warm. I suspect they used a self heating fuel cooled type of sender as opposed to a float. Anybody know?

 

[iceman]

Kevin - sounds like you have a fault there - a job for your dealer.

My gauge seems fairly accurate and I think the 'distance to empty' is fairly accurate as well although I havent tested it seriously yet.

Grant

 

[MickSprint06]

I'd say the fuel sender is stuffed - are they still made in Ireland? :hammer:

 

[AaronB]

I agree with the rest. Bad gauge. Mine runs like a clock

all city miles:
first 22 miles full bars.

mile 23/27 drop one bar


mile 130 half bars

160 drop to two bars yellow light comes on

hit "miles remaining" button reads 20 ----> to fill up

about 4.2 to 4.5 put in. Average 37mpg city


always.


Road trips is way different, but I have mostly commuting/city miles on my bike

:upthumb:

 

[Cabinetman]

Thanks for the info. My dealer is looking into it right now while the bike is in for service. Hopefully it won't be a difficult fix.

Kevin