Inaccurate Gas Gauge Readings

[joehalbe]

I have run out of gas lately due to inaccurate gauge readings on my 2006 K1200GT. The first time my computer indicated I had 40 miles remaining and no warning signal popped up on my screen when I suddenly ran out of gas. I've known for some time now that the computer mpg readings are , um, somewhat worthless. After the first incident I vowed to fill up whenever I reached 250 miles on my current tankload regardless of what the miles remaining indicator read. The second time I was ambushed with the "miles remaining" reading 73 to go; however, I had not reset my trip odometer setting to warn me of reaching 250 miles on the current tankload. Well, duh !. I sputtered out again this am on my way to work. I don't know if there is fuel sensor part which is faulty or what. The fact that the attention warning never came on indicates to me there is a faulty sensor that needs to be replaced. Has anyone experienced this sort of problem with the GTs or RTs??? Runnin on fumes in Denver.

[Overkill]

I have exactly the same problem. It has been in several times and it is no better. Sad really on a bike this nice (07 k1200GT) I fill up @ 200 miles now. Mine doesnt move for 1/4 tank of use and then it still reads about 1/4 tank full when you run out. Theu have installed a new fuel strip twice. I decided it wasn't worth giving up the bike for another two weeks a third time.

[lancew]

The best thing that ever happened to me was when the gas gauge on my first car stopped working- I got in the habit of keeping track of mileage.

Since I moved up to luxury vehicles (ie, anything with a trip odo) I've been in the habit of resetting it every time I fill up, without fail. The bike will go 160 miles, the Jeep 225, the Diesel 350 unloaded or 250 pulling a horse trailer, etc etc., before I get down to a quarter tank.

ALL gas gauges and 'miles-to-empty' displays are treacherous by nature- they know they won't have to get off and push if they're wrong, so they don't really care.

I've always been told that it's unwise to push it below 1/4 tank anyhow - in many vehicles the fuel in the tank helps cool the fuel pump and chronic low running will shorten its life. I know it's true for my old GMC diesel, according to a shop that specializes in them. Maybe it's an old wive's tale otherwise, but at the very least being conservative means never running out.

I can honestly say I've never said to myself "Man, I sure wish I'd run that thing dry somewhere a few miles short of a gas station."

[Holly]

Not on any of my bikes, I'm afraid. I'm loving the fact that my Zumo will warn me when I have gone a set distance that a visit to the nearest gas station would be wise. That darn ethanol sure changes the equation for the worse, though. Can't believe how much more quickly I run out of gas when I'm forced to use corny gas.

Holly

[shire2000]

Us Airheads, We don't need no Stinkin' Computerized Gas Gauge. We got a reserve, and know how to use it. Run to your nearest good old airhead and give it a big hug. It may be old and simple, but then so are a lot of us. We likes it that way, cuz it werks! Plus, we know how to open the gas cap and can see how much is in that there thing. Or just tapping on the side can give a pretty good indication of how much is left, even while riding.

My guess is the fancy electronics are out to get you. :bolt

[SugarHillCTD]

If you have been riding as long as some of us, a-hem, experienced (older) members, you would rely on the odometer. That's all we had.

I have always made it a habit to reset the odo before I put the key back into the ignition or right after with electronic gauges. Glance at the pump for how much I just put in, how far I went, mental calculation of mpgs then reset.

[RoboRider]

I understand our beloved airhead boys and their odometers. I had (and badly miss) my R75/5. But if you HAVE a guage, it should work.

I can say that my 05RT guage works beautifully. When it reads 0 miles, I have driven about 20 extra (as a test). That was it, as I do know the fuel pumps don't like to run empty and can overheat as mentioned above. When I filled the tank, it took 6.X gallons. I just don't remember, but maybe 6.3?

I know there is a recalibration procedure, and I know the GSs had some sensor issues. The dealer should be able to fix it. Of course, with one poster having no luck with the dealer causes some concern but might impugn the skills of the dealers tech. staff.

It should work, at least well enough to give you a low fuel warning. Good luck and keep us posted.

Robo

[Ralph]

My '06 K1200GT's guage just lunched out completely. Dealer's service Manager, besides scheduling the bike in for an electronic analysis (ha!) of what the problem is suggested (with tongue in cheek, of course) that in the meantime I stop every 20 miles or so, open the gas cap and shake the bike back and forth. He said that if I hear sloshing in the tank I'm probably safe for another 20. Yohoho!:whistle

[halrkent]

I've just replaced the second fuel level sensor w/in 40,000 miles, $257.05. There's a problem with the sensor, hope BMW will design a new sensor. After reading another forum it’s clear the current sensor is designed poorly.
Hal

[Ralph]

&/or maybe poorly manufactured? I wonder who they farm production of it out to...if they do....:scratch

[ObiWan]

...

I have always made it a habit to reset the odo before I put the key back into the ignition or right after with electronic gauges. Glance at the pump for how much I just put in, how far I went, mental calculation of mpgs then reset.

+1

My 06 K12GT has been quite accurate thus far. However, nearly all other K12GT owners I have talked to have run out when relying on the gauge. Safe mileage count seems to be 250, then get fuel...

The "gauge" on my bike sometimes does not register a fill-up right away, but once it does, it is pretty accurate. None-the-less, I still calculate miles ridden to be sure...

[Semper_Fi]

I have a slightly different gas gauge anomaly.

Works fine until I get to about the last section of the gauge bar that starts sloping.

When I switch to Miles to go it shows 50 so stupid me thinks I have 50 miles to go.

well i travlled 25 miles and it showed 52 :scratch

Anyway I seen this happen 5 or 6 times - whenever i get to that level the miles to go shows anywhere to 45-50 but i never get a light.

Oh well - I do use the odometer - would be nice that it worked, correctly :lurk

[Ralph]

What gets me is that on a bike that expensive, it SHOULD work correctly... and it SHOULDN'T lunch out like mine did. Makes a feller want to take to drink, so it do...:drink

[Overkill]

I have a slightly different gas gauge anomaly.

Works fine until I get to about the last section of the gauge bar that starts sloping.

When I switch to Miles to go it shows 50 so stupid me thinks I have 50 miles to go.

well i travlled 25 miles and it showed 52 :scratch

Anyway I seen this happen 5 or 6 times - whenever i get to that level the miles to go shows anywhere to 45-50 but i never get a light.

Oh well - I do use the odometer - would be nice that it worked, correctly :lurk

That is exactly what my last fuel strip was doing. Then it slowly got to be at 1/2 tank the bike was really empty. I finally took it in again and with another new fuel strip it is all better again.

[Ralph]

There must be something wrong either with the design or the manufacture of those fuel strips. Mine was finally replaced last Wednesday. Haven't had the bike out for any extended trips yet to see what the new one will do, but I never had trouble with my RTs, and until this one on the GT went awry, it seemed to work well...but only 4K miles worth. Definitely not enough! :(

[cjack]

Not on any of my bikes, I'm afraid. I'm loving the fact that my Zumo will warn me when I have gone a set distance that a visit to the nearest gas station would be wise. That darn ethanol sure changes the equation for the worse, though. Can't believe how much more quickly I run out of gas when I'm forced to use corny gas.

Holly

Should be around 2%...less...with ethanol E10. I don't like it either, but exaggerating the loss is not the way to combat the issue. Like for example that the feds subsidize the fuel to enable the lower cost at the pump, etc. So regardless of what you think you are getting for your money, you're not.

http://zfacts.com/p/60.html

"In 2006, the feds paid ethanol blenders $2.5 billion and ethanol corn farmers $0.9 billion. We paid an extra $3.6 billion at the pump. Total was $2.21 extra per gallon of gasoline replaced. Of all that, $5.4 billion went for windfall profits, creating what USDA's chief economist called "ethanol euphoria." "

[58058D]

Have to agree. On my K12RS, with a Rhinewest cam gear and chip kit, I still get 43-45 mpg in my regular commute. How much 'fun' I have has WAAAY more impact on my mileage than the alcohol (or the former MTBE) content.

So, now that I have had my K1300S for just over a week, I am nearing 700 miles (scheduled for my 600 mile tuneup Wednesday, but may have to be on Jury Duty!!!) What do you all do regarding the fuel filler tube? Here in Ca we have the vapor recovery doohickies on the fuel dispenser nozzle and that invariably lines up with the seal on the fuel cap. But aside from that, the deep filler tube makes it near impossible to fill without fuel drops sputtering out the top. How far up does one fill this thing to get the 5 Usable US gallons? Just to the bottom of the red plastic filler tube, or do you keep trickling it in till it comes partway up that tube? Did not think it would be an issue, don't have my owner's manual with me, so have not looked it up.