W124 - Low Fuel Warning light ain't working - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yosshimura · #1 11-05-2004, 10:18 AM

Hmm... My low fuel warning light isn't coming on when its running low. I have used up my fuel many times to almost the very end to see if it will come on but nothing.... It should come on at what 1.5- 2.0 Gal?

Read some of the archives, all I was able to pick up was to check if when I turn the key to turn the car on, the light should come on... I will check it later. In the meantime, any ideas?

95 W124

A264172 · #2 11-05-2004, 10:24 AM

I think its 2.5 Gal. Bad bulb or connection?
My warrning light is still working but the fuel gage is not accurate.
Do you know how many miles you get out of a tank?
I wonder if I run mine to empty and refill if I could get it accurate again.
I think this might also be the culprit. - http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CL0O6GWD1DE0N1X6J&year=1986&make=MB&model=300-E-002&category=E&part=Fuel+Level+Sending+Unit

pongee · #3 11-05-2004, 11:23 AM

AFAIK the 124 tank capacity is 72 litres (approx 19 US gals), and the fuel warning is meant to come on at 12 litres (approx 3 US gals). This is roughly how it functions on my 260E, as filling up when the light comes on usually comes to 60 litres.

The 12 liter fuel warning level has also been mentioned on other forums. Also, on some mercs, I know that there is a 'final warning' fuel warning, where the light flashes instead of simply remaining lit. I have nevered dared venture into this terrority on my own car, though this info has been related to me by other owners, together with another story from a W202 owner who's warning light wasn't functioning and he ran out of fuel. Twice

P.

icetrey · #4 11-05-2004, 02:47 PM

2.4 gallons (9 liters) per the owners manual in my 89 300E

neanderthal · #5 11-05-2004, 04:56 PM

when i first got my car i thought the light wasnt working too, as teh car would just keep going and going and going with no light coming on. one day i said screw it, im driving until a light comes on or the gas runs out.

light came on, filled it up and came out to about 15.xx gallons. i now know that the tank is 17.xx gallons.

of course i was used to the little 11 gallon tank in my bmw 2002.

A264172 · #6 11-05-2004, 05:04 PM

Hey neanderthal,
Was your gage more accurare after that or was it back to off?

yosshimura · #7 11-07-2004, 04:21 PM

Well, when you turn the key on, the light goes on, so I know there is power getting to it.

I have taken the needle to E.... and never has it come on, just once I must have taken it below 2.5 gallons, and no light ever..... From 1/4 tank to E it goes pretty quick, ... any idea how to check or where to start trouble shooting?

I imagine it will be a PITA, so don't hav emuch hope, LOL...

dkveuro · #8 05-16-2011, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yosshimura

Hmm... My low fuel warning light isn't coming on when its running low. .............................. In the meantime, any ideas?

95 W124

.

Had same problem with mine several years ago.
I installed a new sender...new owner drives around with the light on nearly all the time !

vstech · #9 05-16-2011, 10:10 AM

over in DD, we have LOTS of threads about pulling the tank sender, and cleaning the wires in the tube. you could have rust or other gunk stalling the light. the diesel uses the same sender as the gassers, so following our DIY threads should get your light working!
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124FuelSender

JohnM. · #10 05-16-2011, 02:50 PM

The relative gas gauge (needle) position should not affect when the reserve light comes on.