Fuel gauge no bounce

[f j ste]

Hi, 1986 FJ1200 1TX ...i have read files on here about fuel gauges bouncing and behaving erratic . My problem is the fuel gauge does not work at all , any ideas what could be the problem ...i have checked the fuses and connections ...fuel level warning light works fine so im using this for now but it would be good to get the gauge working on the dash .

[FJmonkey]

Hi, 1986 FJ1200 1TX ...i have read files on here about fuel gauges bouncing and behaving erratic . My problem is the fuel gauge does not work at all , any ideas what could be the problem ...i have checked the fuses and connections ...fuel level warning light works fine so im using this for now but it would be good to get the gauge working on the dash .

My 86' is my first bike with a fuel gauge. When its really full it indicates full for the first 60 miles or so, then goes down really slowly till about the halfway mark. Then it goes down really fast. Not the best indicator when you are are doing long distances. I just trust my odometer/trip meter. My fuel gauge has been working intermittently lately and I really don't care. With speeds under 65 I know I can get 200+ miles, 70 to75 and I am really dry at 180 miles.

[f j ste]

Has yours got a fuel warning light though ? I have not owned the bike long so im judging how much tank range the bike will give me , using the trip meter will give an indication as to when the fuel warning light comes on and then i think it will be time to re-fuel . I have disconnected my elec fuel petcock switch as is has stopped working and caused running problems . Must be some others out there with similar problems with the fuel gauge ? Only option i think is to just get use to re-feuling when the warning light comes on or fit an aftermarket fuel gauge.

[SlowOldGuy]

I've found that my bladder is a really good fuel gauge.  On long rides, about the time it needs to be emptied, the FJ's tank needs to be filled.

YMMV

DavidR.

[Arnie]

Real shame that piss don't burn 
No matter how much some try to raise their BAC.

Arnie

[Scooterbob]

Hi, 1986 FJ1200 1TX ...i have read files on here about fuel gauges bouncing and behaving erratic . My problem is the fuel gauge does not work at all , any ideas what could be the problem ...i have checked the fuses and connections ...fuel level warning light works fine so im using this for now but it would be good to get the gauge working on the dash .

Not sure about your year, but on my 89 there is a plug on the left side under the seat that comes from the gas tank for the gauge.  Have you checked that connection also? 

Also, are you sure that the fuel needle hasn't gone all the way around and just needs to be flipped to the correct side?  I assume you know what I'm talking about, since you've read the "bouncing" issues.  I had to fix mine a couple of weeks ago because it had gone all the way around when I hit a large bump.  Ended up drilling the face and then gluing a thumb tack in from the back side to prevent this from happening again.  Seems to work for me at least.

[f j ste]

Scooterbob, yes i have checked the connection from the tank ....all seems well. As for the gauge its stuck on zero , does nt seem to have gone all the way round though .
Yes needing to stop for a full bladder would be a good timer 

Will check there is power to the connection later

[Scooterbob]

Had an issue with the tach not working one time. Ended up being the needle was stuck on the stop peg. Had some sort of grease residue on it. Have you checked something like that?

[f j ste]

Had an issue with the tach not working one time. Ended up being the needle was stuck on the stop peg. Had some sort of grease residue on it. Have you checked something like that?

I will check scooterbob ....the bike was laid up for nearly 12 months by the prev owner and was found stored before that ...previouse owner ran it once and stopped riding it as there was almost as much fuel coming out the overflows as he was filling the gas tank with  I salvaged the bike and gave it a new lease of life after much  just the fuel gauge dont work 

[Scooterbob]

Doesn't take much for it to stick. Worth a shot at least.

Let us know how it turns out.

[f j ste]

Have had a look but nothing seems out of place , i filled up the tank and went for a run and the fuel needle seemed to bounce off the zero to the first mark on the gauge and then back to zero ...so seems its trying to work but fails to read the correct level 

[SlowOldGuy]

Pull the sending unit out of the tank and see it there's corrosion on it or it the float is hanging up.

DavidR.