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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Old School Buell » Archives OSB 001 » Archive through May 04, 2005 » Orange low fuel light on the X1 « Previous Next »

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Dolzinnig
Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 09:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

sort of comment, sort of question about that little orange light for any of you X1 guys...

On average, how long until the low fuel light comes on, and how far can you go after it turns on?

My bike talks to me early… After filling it close to the bottom of the rubber, I will hit around 110 miles on the tank and when I brake to a stop sign or red light a little hard, the bike will sputter and sometimes die unless I keep some throttle. This doesn’t worry me, as I assume it’s just the fuel moving to the front of the tank and it failing to provide enough to the engine under braking. (normal?)

Anyhow, I jumped on the freeway last night, and the light came on about 3 miles into my commute, at a cool 75-80mph. (148 miles on the trip meter) I was told (by someone who does not ride an X1) that I should probably be able to go somewhere in the neighborhood of 16-20 miles after the light turns on. Home was nowhere near 20, so I motored on. 11 miles later, I am on the curb waiting for a buddy to bring me gas. (not that I wanted to push it, I just have a favorite gas station and it didn’t even occur to me that I might not make it…)

So, my questions are:
-Should I be able to go further than 11 miles? (someone said I could get the light reset)
-Is the fuel starvation under hard braking normal?

This is not a real big issue, as I know now how far I can go and I have no problem keeping my bike almost full. I am curious these two traits are normal. Might become an issue on long rides.

-Grant
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Jeremy_02_x1
Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 11:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I notice mine come on (just flickering, not steady) in the 130 mile neighborhood. I haven't found out the way that you have how far I can push it but I have never had it sputter on me during braking with a low tank.

It would seem to me on longer trips that the motor is going to work more efficiently than say commuting, just due to the nature of the the way we drive under those different circumstances.

I have traveled a good 10-15 miles with the light on steady though. I haven't paid real close attention to that I have to admit.

Anyways thats my experience with the X1, and BTW I love every second that I am on that beast.

-JT
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Captainkirk
Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 11:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Grant;
I don't have a low fuel light on my M2...or a fuel indicator of any kind, for that matter. What works well for me is this: I tanked up one time and reset the trip meter to zero. I rode the bike locally until I had to flip on the reserve. Now I know I can get at least 125 miles on a tank, regardless of how hard I flog it. When I hit 125, I stop at the nearest station, refill & reset the tripmeter to zero. If on a longer ride (read;further between gas stations) I'll stop at the hundred mile mark, or at least start looking. I'm gonna have to do this all over again this year due to all the mods I've done. Point is, it's probably different with each bike. Find your mark and you won't be calling your friends for gas.
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Buellkowski
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 12:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When the light shines on my S3, I'm looking for juice. It is quite an unforgiving gauge. I'm lucky to get 10 miles after it comes on.
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Akbuell
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 01:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My '01 X-1 averages 50ish mpg, so after about 150 miles on a tank I start looking for a station. generally takes 3ish gallons to fill. Low fuel light hadn't come on yet.
My 01 service manual shows 4.2 gal capacity, w/0.4 gal reserve, so I should get 180-190 miles before the light comes on, and should have 20-25 miles before the engine quits. Haven't tried yet, though.
By the way, the service manual shows the low fuel level sensor rigidly mounted to the fuel pump assy, which is rigidly mounted to the fuel tank, so I don't think (I have been wrong before : ) ) that it can be re-set, or adjusted.
Hope this helps.
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Ftd
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 08:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I ran 20 miles on my X1 (highway riding) with light on before it ran out. Get 120-150 miles before light comes depending on riding conditions.

Frank
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X1tx
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 09:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My light doesn't work at all. But from the range you're describing you're getting lousy fuel economy. With a 'Race' ECM and doing some stop and go riding I'm still averaging at least 44 mpg. I have one good blast down the freeway each week where, if you're going less than about 80 you're just a speed bump. What you're describing shows you're getting fuel economy in the mid 30's. So you've either got that thing wicked up constantly or you need a tune up. Previous owner of my bike ran it dry once to find out what his true range was. Ran out of go-juice at 198 miles.
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Blackbelt
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 11:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i usually get about 210 out of a tank sometimes 225... The light will come on dim then get brighter after about 1-2 miles... once it is bright, i usually find a gas station.. but i can make it about 20 miles when the light comes on. It happened on the way home from one of my karate classes, and it is 24 miles from my club to my house, and i was about 2 miles into trip... I made it to the station right by my house, w/o a worry..

If memory serves right, then it shoudl come on around 180-200 miles, then you have up to 20-30 miles to get some go juice in your tank.. i will be able to tell ya which way better next week when i get a new tire on the back and ride her again..
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Simond
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 01:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Best I've managed with slow (<80mph) motorway riding is 150miles to the light. Usually get approx 130miles. I've run out at about 20 miles after the light came on too.
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Dolzinnig
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 01:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

X1tx - I think I am getting just under 40 doing the quick math in my head, but it seems to be getting better every time I fill it. I only have 1300 miles on the bike so I hope it doesn’t need a tune up. Sounds like I should be getting better though.

I am not one to push the envelope without a good reason, so like Captainkirk said, I will find my mark so I don’t end up sitting on the curb in the ghetto... lol

On the issue of sputtering and dying, I guess if no one else experiences this, I might need to have it looked at. Its under warranty, but instead of having them take my bike for 3 weeks, I will probably just fill up more often and be done with it.

Thanks for all your feedback.
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Blackbelt
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 01:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

mine got crappy milage until around 2k miles.. then BLAM-O, i get close to 49 mpg now....
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Dolzinnig
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 02:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That is good to hear. People keep telling me that the mileage gets better as you go. Maybe the sputtering will too...
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Blackbelt
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 02:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

sputtering? what sputtering? is yours pritty much stock? what all is added to or away from your bike?
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Dolzinnig
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 02:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When I hit around 110 miles on the tank of fuel and brake hard to a stop sign or red light, the bike will sputter and sometimes die unless I keep the throttle cracked. In theory, I figured it was normal. My brother said it doesnt sound normal to him. Ever experience it Blackbelt? I figure if other X1 riders get it too, its normal. Otherwise I will pursue it further.
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Akbuell
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 04:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thinking back (the memory processor is sometimes sloooow), on one or two HARD braking situations with about 140-150 miles on a tankful, the engine has stuttered once or twice. Put it down to the fuel pump being unported, but it always involved a very aggressive stop.
Perhaps your fuel pump assy is/was not correctly seated when replaced???
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Oldog
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 08:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hi all
My X1 is going 160 to 170 mi to light on
and if I have done the math right the fuel remaining is good for about 20
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Mbsween
Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 09:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Grant,
you should be doing much better than that for mileage. before the race kit, I would normally get in to the 200s before the light came on and I've gone as far as 210 - 220 with the light on.

Currently I have the forcewinder, wileyco pipe and the race ecm, I'm getting around 40 to the gallon around town, thats riding reasonably hard.

I'd check your plugs, are they black? if so the next things to check, well replace, are the o2 sensor and the engine temp sensor. Either of those failing will cause the bike to run rich.

When my engine temp sensor went, it started with a gradual decline in range, then when the sensor really died range went down to 120 - 130 miles. And it started to foul plugs regularly.

The engine temp code is 14 on the ecm, but it will die without setting a code. The O2 sensor is an easy replace, you can get a Bosch 12014 (check that number in the KV) at any auto parts place for around 20.00.


Good luck
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Rock
Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 03:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


Gentlemen,

I can't help but chime in here--I've been a Buell owner for only 5 months ('00 X1)with 3,800 miles when I got it, race ECM, K & N, exhaust. Anyway, it was getting 41~42 MPG; this bothered me since I've a friend with a '00 X1 too that claims his gets 49~52 MPG.

Well, I did a really stupid thing last month; I didn't push the oil tank dipstick all the way down one night when I checked the oil level; blew oil all over the place! Here's the point: when cleaning up all of my mess, I noticed that oil was on the two connectors (that plug into the ECM)--I pulled both connections off, cleaned them with contact cleaner, and used dielectric grease before plugging them back in--mileage is now at 49~50 MPG. Hard to believe, but this is what happened to me!!
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Tom_b
Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 11:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Race ECM, V&H muffler, rizoma air box I get 48 mpg on the hiway and this is cruising about 85 and hard take offs from stop lights. I get about 200 miles before the light comes on. I find a station then. I have never ran my buell out. So I don't know how long before it sucks air. Better yet after about 150 miles I usually stop and top off so I don't have to sweat it.
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Prez
Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 06:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

nice rock...nice
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Oldog
Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 10:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

ditto on what Matt said above
the sensors especialy the 02 go south over time
had the ET go out,
just like Matt said when it finaly codes
the bike runs like crap.
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Caboose
Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2005 - 04:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When my fuel light comes on I need gas ASAP. It usually comes on after I've burnt 15 litres of fuel. That doesn't leave many kilometers (0.8 litres left in the tank) till I need more go-go juice.
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Jeremy_02_x1
Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 10:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just had a near flame-out on my 2002 X1 this evening. She was sputtering and dying for the last 3/4 mile until I shut it off and coasted into the gas station. Odometer reads 162 miles.

From reading on BadWeb the last few months I have been seeing lots of Buellers espousing the merits of a TPS reset to solve many problems with the DDFI system.

Should I be seriously considering a TPS reset in the near future?

Any input would be appreciated.
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