Gas light - Infamous Nissan

Yamero · 05-29-2022, 07:29 PM

I have gas light, but it doesn’t turn on when you start the truck or does it only turn on when it’s low? I know it has a bulb and it works, but it never lights up.

LugNut1990 · 05-29-2022, 07:30 PM

One way to test it: intentionally run out of gas. :-)

dvdswan · 05-29-2022, 07:51 PM

Download the FSM close to your year and it may have some info for you.

PorknBeans · 05-29-2022, 10:38 PM

I believe the low fuel light will illuminate when your fuel has reached 10% of the maximum fuel capacity.

The test points for the fuel gauge sending unit are on the back side of the instrument cluster. The FSM has the info you need, david stated.

Your fuel sending unit might be going out and not giving the correct fuel level in the tank.

I think my fuel light bulb is burned out too because I can run my fuel needle much past the “E” level and can see a lot of the black background of my gauge and my light will not turn on. It could also be the sending unit to the instrument cluster.

jp2code · 05-30-2022, 01:10 AM

The fuel pump is cooled by the fuel in the gas tank, so it's not really a good idea to get the gas tank that low.

But, the light probably comes on if you get really low. Mine did once, and I took a picture!

89'HBV6 · 05-30-2022, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugNut1990

One way to test it: intentionally run out of gas. :-)

....and carry a spare can with a gal or two!

PorknBeans · 05-30-2022, 01:57 AM

I did what lugnut stated when I did a “mpg test” with 1 gallon of fuel in the tank. I drove normally on the highway and got 25 mi. with the trip meter reset to “0”. When there were probably close to no fuel and mostly fumes. My truck sputtered and acted like I was hitting a rev limiter with the power going in and out until I had to coast off the highway and dump that 1 gallon of spare fuel into the tank. I was only 2 blocks from home.

Point being...no low fuel light ever came on.

It has before in the past. That’s why I believe the bulb is done.

XoXSciFiGuy · 05-30-2022, 05:57 AM

When your incandescent fuel warning light doesn't come on, it is usually the bulb. Even the best incandescent bulb won't last thirty years or more.

jp2code · 05-30-2022, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamero

...I know it has a bulb and it works, but it never lights up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XoXSciFiGuy

When your incandescent fuel warning light doesn't come on, it is usually the bulb. Even the best incandescent bulb won't last thirty years or more.

I give Yamero the benefit of the doubt and say that he knows what he's talking about.

Gaslighting is a colloquialism, loosely defined as making someone question their own reality.

Reserector · 05-31-2022, 05:55 PM

My fuel light only ever worked one time...when the alternator's diode bridge was failing.

Now, with the Silverado wiring, I get a big LOW FUEL warning. Shoot, I even get a low oil warning. ;-)

05-29-2022, 07:29 PM	#1
Yamero Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Usa Posts: 48 Vehicle: Nissan d21 1991 Thanks: 18 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Gas light I have gas light, but it doesn’t turn on when you start the truck or does it only turn on when it’s low? I know it has a bulb and it works, but it never lights up.

05-29-2022, 07:30 PM	#2
LugNut1990 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: N.E. Kansas Posts: 943 Vehicle: 1990 Nissan Hardbody Thanks: 0 Thanked 146 Times in 127 Posts	One way to test it: intentionally run out of gas. :-) __________________ Original owner 1990 Nissan Hardbody, Aztec Red Standard cab, 4x4, KA24E, 5-speed Intentionally near-stock Mods: Second OEM horn, stereo/speakers/sub, mud and snow tires, HD trailer hitch (cat 3+), liquid bed liner, G1W dashcam Definitely not for sale!

05-29-2022, 07:51 PM	#3
dvdswan Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 5,746 Vehicle: 96 HB Thanks: 224 Thanked 927 Times in 808 Posts	Download the FSM close to your year and it may have some info for you. __________________ Dave 96 HB XE SAS'd D44 3-link on 35s http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2618002

05-29-2022, 10:38 PM	#4
PorknBeans Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Where I can see the air I breathe... Posts: 846 Vehicle: 1997 XE King Cab with 3 pedals, KA24E & 2WD, Y’all Thanks: 82 Thanked 253 Times in 211 Posts	I believe the low fuel light will illuminate when your fuel has reached 10% of the maximum fuel capacity. The test points for the fuel gauge sending unit are on the back side of the instrument cluster. The FSM has the info you need, david stated. Your fuel sending unit might be going out and not giving the correct fuel level in the tank. I think my fuel light bulb is burned out too because I can run my fuel needle much past the “E” level and can see a lot of the black background of my gauge and my light will not turn on. It could also be the sending unit to the instrument cluster. __________________ Last edited by PorknBeans; 05-29-2022 at 10:52 PM.

05-30-2022, 01:10 AM	#5
jp2code Software Developer Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Longview, TX [USA] Age: 52 Posts: 11,269 Vehicle: 94 LB 2x4 Manual VG33e Thanks: 1,847 Thanked 1,837 Times in 1,599 Posts	The fuel pump is cooled by the fuel in the gas tank, so it's not really a good idea to get the gas tank that low. But, the light probably comes on if you get really low. Mine did once, and I took a picture! __________________ Joe (not a mechanic!) • Don't have an account? EMAIL ME Factory Service Manuals: https://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Hardbody/ Walk-through: Checking Nissan Trouble Codes 1994 VG30E to VG33E with H256 Cams

05-30-2022, 01:57 AM	#7
PorknBeans Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Where I can see the air I breathe... Posts: 846 Vehicle: 1997 XE King Cab with 3 pedals, KA24E & 2WD, Y’all Thanks: 82 Thanked 253 Times in 211 Posts	I did what lugnut stated when I did a “mpg test” with 1 gallon of fuel in the tank. I drove normally on the highway and got 25 mi. with the trip meter reset to “0”. When there were probably close to no fuel and mostly fumes. My truck sputtered and acted like I was hitting a rev limiter with the power going in and out until I had to coast off the highway and dump that 1 gallon of spare fuel into the tank. I was only 2 blocks from home. Point being...no low fuel light ever came on. It has before in the past. That’s why I believe the bulb is done. __________________

05-30-2022, 05:57 AM	#8
XoXSciFiGuy Join Date: May 2017 Location: Yakima, WA Posts: 3,390 Vehicle: 2009 Xterra, 1997 D21 King Cab XE (sold) Thanks: 251 Thanked 698 Times in 623 Posts	When your incandescent fuel warning light doesn't come on, it is usually the bulb. Even the best incandescent bulb won't last thirty years or more. __________________ 2009 Xterra, 4.0 liter, automatic, 4WD.

05-31-2022, 05:55 PM	#10
Reserector the Flaming Marshmallow Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Laurel, MS Posts: 2,134 Vehicle: '86.5 Nissan HB KC 4x4 5.3V8 Thanks: 143 Thanked 602 Times in 472 Posts	My fuel light only ever worked one time...when the alternator's diode bridge was failing. Now, with the Silverado wiring, I get a big LOW FUEL warning. Shoot, I even get a low oil warning. ;-) __________________ Becoming the Flaming Marshmallow * SAS * V8 Conversion * The FM "Z71 Conversion" Explained Vid * Ride-Along Vid

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