Honda VFR fuel gauge issue (1990)

Hi,

My VFR has a fuel gauge that shows its running near empty when in fact there is about half a tank of
fuel left. Also the low fuel warning light goes on at around the same time. Is there any way to
fix it? Unfortunately the bike does not have a reserve tank, leaving me to start searching for a
gas station as soon as the meter reads empty or risk running out.

Thanks,

 

This could just the the common characteristic of Honda fuel guages. My
VFR shows full for the first 80mi or so, then rapidly drops to about
1/4, then sits at or just above empty for the last 80mi or so. The low
fuel indicator reliably comes on when I've got around 50mi (back-road
miles, more if on the highway) of fuel left.

If the gauge and the light are consistent, I'd say that your best bet is
to get to know their behavior. You description doesn't point to an
obvious failure, and is potentially consistant with normal behavior for
Honda gauges.

If you think that this can't be normal behavior (it's hard for me to
know from all the way over here), the first thing to check is the fuel
level sensor inside the tank. The float might be low or something. If
you've got a manual, removal is in chapter 6, page 6 of the Honda
Service Manual (a recommended purchase), inspection procedure is as
follows (ch 18, p. 17):

with the sensor removed from the tank, move the arm through it's range
of travel. The gauge should follow along. Measure the resistance with
the float in the full up and full down positions. The manual gives the
following values:

up: 4-10 ohms (20c)
down: 90-100 ohms (20c)

Obviously temperature will affect the resistance, but I don't know how
much.

HTH

--
Later,
John



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