Hey, gang - I'm new to the forum and to the Super Hawk, though I've spent my whole adult life on the back of a Honda. Anyway, I bought a '98 a few months ago and found out the hard way the fuel light doesn't work. I did a little research and found out how to test the fuel sender to see if it's bad (which I assume it is). Someone made a comment about the sending units on the '98 models that leads me to believe this was a very common malfunction on the earlier bikes, correct? I looked for a new sending unit online and could not find a part number, which means I'd have to find a replacement on eBay or the like, right?

Any help would be appreciated!

I'm in the process of building my own manual CCTs as well, as I did on the F3 I had prior to this bike...

 

check the bulb?

 

I didn't. I was going to run some jumpers to it, but I couldn't find my wire strippers. How likely is it that *that* is the problem? Really stupid question: Is it easier to replace than it looks?

 

undo 3 bolts - tilt instrument console forward - take out bulb - get replacement

www.vtr1000.org • View topic - Fuel sensor - 1997 model VTR

 

If its anything like the instrument lights, its a matter of 3 bolts holding the column, then just flip it over and pull out the lights

However, I have a 98 that the light doesn't work on also. I have checked the manual and it doesn't say what type of bulb it is, and when I had the column pulled off I didn't see a spot for a bulb. If anyone knows what the bulb number is is appreciate it. I'll be pulling the cluster off tonight and will post what it is of no one else does.

 

Pg 319 19-6 In the downloadable PDF Honda VTR1000F Service manual

http://f.cl.ly/items/0n0S1q3g3e2e1d3...r-fuelbulb.jpg


Pg 330 19-7 LOW FUEL INDICATOR/FUEL RESERVE SENSOR
SYSTEM INSPECTION

VTR microfiche (BULB capless 12V 1.7W) 34909-KW3-003

http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID...EDOMETER_98-00

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/V...97/part_24868/



http://www.wemoto.com/parts/picture/MS-OL2820K/

 

Before wasting your time removing the gauges just take your seat off and use the method in this article I found using the search function a while back. https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...el-light-7189/
This will cause your bulb to turn on letting you know if it works. If it does it's your sender that is bad like most of ours.

 

Ya I've done the test, no light at all.

Wicky, I know that is the replacement bulb for the instrument lights, but the gas light is much smaller and I don't remember seeing a rubber boot where it should be. To avoid confusion, does the first gen cluster use the same type of bulb for the low fuel light?

 

mmmm I could have sent you all on a goose hunt

The low fuel indicator seems to have a separate bit - the dotted arrowed line on the illustration continues past the usual suspects

 

there is no bulb you can get to,you have to take the face of the guages off to get to it.i would test it that way first to determine if it is blown.
its a l.e.d. light that is soldered.

 

I see. I read on some of the firestorm pages that it is an led, ill tear into it later and see what I find. Thanks anyways.

 

Alright well it is one led. I retested with a paper clip and the light comes on when I jump the clip. The manual says to replace the sensor when this happens. Ny question is it possible to manipulate the float from the fill hole? What i can see is a small bar with a yellow wire wrapped around it, and one fatter one thy I think is just a vent tube. I'm tryimg to figure out if mine is just jammed before I replace it.

 

I just replaced the sensor on my 98. It's not a float. On the end of the rod is a thermal switch that when is submerged stays cool (open switch-no light),when the fuel level drops it heats up closing the switch (light on). I got mine at Service Honda for about $30.00

 

Hmm. Page 360 (19-17) of the manual says there is a float. Is it the entire sensor that has to be replaced or did you just change the switch?

 

I was mistaken, it says 2000 and up have a float.

 

Light works like a charm, so it looks like I'm looking at a new sending unit (or a used one). Unless - is there something that can be fixed? A loose or broken wire perhaps?

 

Hiere is a related question after an hour of reading on fuel lights. If I remove the dash and connect an LED to the fuel wires, will (should) it light at low fuel or is there circuitry in the dash that does it?

I just replaced the dash but still want the fuel light to come on. (thus the LED bulb)

 

LEDs must be connected the correct way, the diagram may be labelled a or + for anode and k or - for cathode (yes, it really is k, not c, for cathode!). The cathode is the short lead and there may be a slight flat on the body of round LEDs. If you can see inside the LED the cathode is the larger electrode (but this is not an official identification method). LEDs can be damaged by heat when soldering, but the risk is small unless you are very slow.



Never connect an LED directly to a battery or power supply! It will be destroyed almost instantly because too much current will pass through and burn it out. LEDs must have a resistor in series to limit the current to a safe value, for quick testing purposes a 1k resistor is suitable for most LEDs if your supply voltage is 12V or less.