Fuel gauge, inacurate gauge readings Options

[ultraTbone]

I've posted here about a fuel pump, regulator and filter problem on an 07 Ultraglide that finally got repaired. Every time someone goes into that tank to repair something, comes back with the fuel gauge reading incorrectly. I've been charged to correct it at a HD shop when they caused.
My question is:
Is there some trick to removing the assembly and correcting this problem? I've opened the tank up and the assy is big and awkward to see and to get at, but I feel that I can correct this myself if I can find the trick to moving that fuel pump assy into a position where I can work on it. I think shops want to repair this in secret to keep the $'s coming in.
Any experience with this available?

[deuce04]

Its not worth the effort to get these gauges to read correctly.
I have had the pump/gauge assembly out of my tank before and its a pain to get it adjusted.
So now I just use the tripmeter...Just my opinion

[Fgowi]

I'm not sure I recall one that works reasonably. The one on this current bike (Road Glide) stays on full for about 160 miles then drops to 1/4 then, shortly after, the low fuel light comes on. I just use the trip. But wouldn't you think they could (someday) build one that works.

[wholehog]

I agree that it might not be worth the effort but if you want to try it then look at what I posted in the general section on 2/15 called some useful manuals....it might give you an idea what's in the tank section 4 I think

[madmech]

I have a Kuryakyn Informer LED gauge/volt meter on mine.Works great.You configure it to an almost empty tank and it adjusts from there.
http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/go/Home....Detail/IMID/396
I have the matching gas cap to go with it.
Russ

[G MAN]

You, know, I've always wondered about this as well. Why do I get about 130 miles to the first half of my tank and then around 60 to the second half? It seems to be this way with my Dodge Ram 1500, too. Logic would dictate that a vehicle with half a tank of gas would be lighter and mpg would improve, not decline by 100%. Analog fuel gauges are still based on a float device, aren't they? Why is it so hard to get accuracy from a style of gauge that has been in use for what, at least 100 years?

I really like the electronic miles to empty feature on my truck but it switches to "Low Fuel" when you need it the most. Do I have 24 miles or 2 miles before I run out? For both, the answer is the same ambiguous "Low Fuel". This is pretty important to know when most of my driving is short hops to drop off or pick up kids from school. I used to have a Ford Explorer that would calculate it all the way to "0 miles to empty". My wife left it like that for me twice, One time I stalled out but the other time I was able to travel a half mile to a gas station which says to me that they can make an accurate gauge when they want to.

A warning about using the trip odometer. The only time I've run out of gas I was using it (actually, I was using the same feature on my Garmin Zumo) and not looking at the fuel gauge much at all due to the way the sun was reflecting off of it. It was a 700 plus mile day for me so to save time I'd stretch it between fill ups. I was averaging about 200 miles to the tank when suddenly it stalled out on me after only 125 miles. What I didn't realize was that I was approaching a storm front and was riding directly into a really stiff headwind. Since it was head on, I didn't even notice it. That really says something about how aerodynamic my RK Classic isn't. An almost 80 mile difference per tank is pretty huge. That's a drop from 40 to 25 mpg on consecutive, same day fill ups.

Your best bet is to keep an eye on both the gauge and the trip odometer and fill up as soon as your low fuel light kicks on. Sooner, if in more rural areas.

G

[wholehog]

You, know, I've always wondered about this as well. Why do I get about 130 miles to the first half of my tank and then around 60 to the second half?

G

my hunch is that the float senses the tank level and operates a LINEAR variable resistor.....the problem is that because of the "saddle" in the tank there is more volume in the top half than the lower half....

[Blackcloud]

It's like life and toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it runs out.
Just pay attention to how far you've gone since last top off.

[ultraTbone]

When I have had it re adjusted after the repairs, it is usually more accurate that it is now. It is as if whenever the assy comes out ot the tank the float gets bent or something. After the last time at the HD shop I was satisfied with the readings, then a new problem came up and here I go again. I just want to know how to do this myself since it is a recurring problem. Then I can adjust on it till I am happy.
I will check those manuals Wholehog mentioned to see if I can get some info.
Thanks guys

[G MAN]

my hunch is that the float senses the tank level and operates a LINEAR variable resistor.....the problem is that because of the "saddle" in the tank there is more volume in the top half than the lower half....

So why not just take that into consideration? Start with an empty 5 gal tank. Add 2.5 gallons and set the float to read 1/2 tank. Why is this so difficult to do?

[wholehog]

So why not just take that into consideration? Start with an empty 5 gal tank. Add 2.5 gallons and set the float to read 1/2 tank. Why is this so difficult to do?

that may be one way to adjust it but my guess is that 2.5 gals in the tank brings it up to over 1/2 of the height level becuase of the saddle where the tank straddles the frame.....since the variable resistor is linear it may not properly indicate the top 1/2 of the tank...also rememeber what's in the attached regarding the low fuel lamp....

Attached File(s)

 Low_Fuel_Lamp_On_EFI_Models.pdf ( 4.57k ) Number of downloads: 14

 

[ultraTbone]

I don't know where you get all this stuff, Wholehog.
I downloaded that Werder manual and it shows how to remove the fuel pump assy from the tank. You remove the screws, pull up slightly while holding the pump and turn 45 degrees ccw. Damn, I knew there was a trick to it. There's a spring loaded hinge for servicability. Even has warnings and cautions. Once again this forum has helped me out.

I"ll pitch in when I can but have no experience compared to some of you on the H-D mechanical.
Thanks

[ultraTbone]

Well, I'm reporting in with good news. Using the info from that manual, I have adjusted the guage on my FLHTCU and have it just about right. When I've been 120 miles, it shows 1/2 and when I've gone 175, the low fuel warning comes on, indicating appr. 1 gal remaining. I took it on a trip and verified it's consistant. The adjustment took several tries to get right but I'll no longer pay to have that adjusted again.
Thanks again for the info.

[LoudnProud]

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[wholehog]

sounds good but I would still use the trip meter cause pushing aint fun....that said I carry a piece of tubing in my saddle bag "just in case"

[Bamsambo]

I love it when a plan comes together.