De-bugging the fuel Warning Lamp

[TomoHawk]

Can I get some enlightenment about how the fuel warning lamp operates? I did some stuff with test lamp during summer and found out that one of the wires at the dash light is always hot, so I think there's a switch inside the tank level sender? My warning lamp has never worked yet, even after a couple tank-fuls.I usually fill the tank half-way.

Bad sender maybe? The gauge seems to read correctly.

thx.

happy holi-daze.

[MikeW]

If one of the wires to the light is always hot then that means that the circuit is grounded when the tank level is low. You should be able to manually ground it and verify that it lights up.

[TomoHawk]

That's what I meant.

Oone wire on the warning light is hot, the other one goes to a (switch) inside the fuel level sender that completes the circuit to ground. I just need a confirmation, but that means the fuel level sender isn't working right.

From some drawings I've seen, the fuel level sender actually has to parts (floats&arms), one for fuuel level, the other for the low warning. Just don't know how the low warning part works.

[TrojanOreo]

Hate to bring an old thread up, but I was just about to post this same question. My fuel light has never worked, fuel gauge works fine, and I just put a new light bulb in. Where should I start, this Haynes manual is good for wiping my hands.

[e_racer1999]

you mean there's a fuel level warning lamp??? wow..... never knew that

[gundee]

They are talking about a 280Z.

[e_racer1999]

ok..... makes sense now...