Low Fuel Light Problem

[BirdsAndBugs]

I dropped off my 2003 Thunderbird at Team Ford on Saturday for the 5,000 mile oil change and to check out a problem that with the low fuel warning light (looks like a yellow gas pump). Over summer, it would periodically come on. However once I filled the gas tank it would go out. Since I've driven the car more in the past month or so than I usually do, I've noticed that it seems to come on right around the time the car is at 1/2 a tank.

Team Ford didn't get the car into the shop to look at until today and the service manager just called me with a few questions about what I was experiencing.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similiar problem in the past?

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

First malfunction I've had but I'm a little upset. It's been in at Team Ford for 2 business days now and I still can't find out what's going on. I thought an oil change and a indicator light would be a very minor issue to resolve.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

OK, I guess I'm talking to myself.

Just got a phone call from Team Ford. They put the car on the OBD computer. They can see the light on the dash but the computer is not giving them any helpful indication codes as to what the problem may be. All aspects of the fuel system indicate normal activity; no malfunctions.

They suspect it could possibly be that some tarnish has built up on the fuel sensors on the sending unit inside the gas tank and that the problem would probably go away after some continuous use and running more tanks of fresh gas through the system.

Since it's more of an irritant than an operational problem, I don't think I want to have them pull out the gas tank and spend a ton of time (and my money) on a goose chase at this point.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

Picked up my 2003 Thunderbird tonight and spoke with Pat Kelley who is the parts manager at Team Ford and also attends our Las Vegas Thunderbird functions periodically.

I described the problem I experienced with the low fuel warning light. He said the same thing in regards to some tarnish buildup on the fuel sensors in the tank. He said he had seen it on a few Thunderbirds but sees it much more frequently on the Mustangs. Recommended using Chevron 91 octane gas with Techroline or Texaco 91 octane Clean System 3 as that usually helps remove deposits and keeps the fuel lines clean.

Just thought I would pass that along.

[joe166]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

Thanks for the information. I have never had that problem, but it makes sense.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

Greg,
Thanks for this imput. Though I have not had the low fuel light come on early it is good to learn that this can happen and what most likely is the problem.

I have had weak acceleration problems from using cheap gas with less than the higher octanes. My dealer too recomended to either start using better gas or add a cleaner to a tank full every once in-a-while.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

Usually after each oil change, on my next fill-up I usually put in a bottle of STP or Gumout fuel injection cleaner in the gas. I hadn't done that on this Thunderbird yet but I plan on trying that this week.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

Dump a bottle of TECHRON in the tank. Get the real stuff, not just an additive with techron in it. Available at ALL Auto Discount Stores. Then Run a couple of full tank's through with at least 91 octane. Then change out your fuel filter. After which you can go back to 89 Octane, if that is what your use to using. Although I have NOT had the light issue, I have had the acceleration problem. Thought I was going to be joing the Bad COP's Club. TECHRON did the trick. The FORD Mechanic is the one who told me to do this, and said it would also prevent a miraude of problems such as what you discribe being one of them.


Oh, and Greg. Don't worry about talking to yourself. Nothing wrong with an Interesting Conversation with an Intelligent Person!

[jimvit1]

Re: Low Fuel Light Problem

I have always run a can of Injector cleaner through my cars around 4 or 5,000 miles and I have never had any rough running or missing. A friend of mine who was a fleet manager once told me if I did that I would probably never have to bring my car in for anything other than normal service. And I never have.