2001 Taurus w/unreliable low fuel light

[km2002]

The low fuel light on my Taurus recently started acting up. Three tanks of gas ago, it never came on as the fuel gauge dropped down to E. Ditto two tanks ago, and both times I put a considerable amount of fuel into the tank (over 14 gallons, and I only have a 16-gallon tank). Last tank of gas, I was practically on E when the bingo light lit. It used to come on at about 1/8 tank. The light does work, as evidenced not only by the last tank of gas lighting it up (albeit late), but also by the light showing up w/the rest of the self-check every time I start the car. The fuel gauge itself seems to be getting a good signal; it's the only way I'm finding out how low on fuel I am. Any ideas why the bingo light would be late tripping or not firing at all?

[sfontain]

Originally Posted by km2002

Any ideas why the bingo light would be late tripping or not firing at all?

No, but I wouldn't recommend that you rely so heavily on either the guage or the light, nor would I recommend that you let your fuel level drop so low if you can avoid it.

Firstly, fuel guages are not perfect, and they are not designed to be perfect. Running out of gas is not only a major inconvenience, but it's also bad for the car.

In addition, your fuel pump is submerged in gasoline and uses it for lubrication; when you let your fuel run very low, you are asking for premature fuel pump failure, which is a multiple-hundred-dollar job by itself, plus there's a good chance it will leave you stranded somewhere on the side of the road.

The fact that the light doesn't seem to trigger as early as it once did doesn't mean anything problematic it all.