2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission "Low Fuel Light"

[BryceC]

Does anybody know how may gallons are left in the tank of '02 2500 when the low fuel light comes on? The manual says about 1/8 tank, but with my truck I have easily driven 50+ miles with the light on and it still only takes about 25 gallons to fill the truck up. I thought all '02's had 35 gallon tanks.



How many gallons does your truck take to fill up after the light comes on? The most I have ever put into mine is 27 gallons.



Thanks

 

[rkressg]

When my light comes on, I still have around 10-11 gal left in the tank. (01. 5, long bed, extended cab, I think it has around 35-37 gal tank).

 

[Thomas]

... I thought all '02's had 35 gallon tanks...

The short-bed 2500 is advertised at 34 gallons. All other model year 2002 Cummins/Rams are advertised at 35 gallons.

 

[BryceC]

When my light comes on, I still have around 10-11 gal left in the tank. (01. 5, long bed, extended cab, I think it has around 35-37 gal tank).

Like I was saying, mine only takes about 25 gallons to fill it up when the light comes on. This is about 2/3 of a tank, but when the light comes on my guage is reading just below 1/8. I just find it odd that the guage is reading less than 1/8 and the light is on, but there is approximately 1/3 of a tank left.

 

[MPlunkett]

My fuel level sending unit had to be replaced because it came on at just less than 1/2. Now it consistantly comes on just below 1/4 and usually takes 7 gallons to fill. I have heard that the LP works harder to overcome the additional height created by lower fuel levels, so I try to fill mine up when it gets below 1/2 or at least right after the light comes on. It also helps keep my fuel cost below 75 bucks a tank!.....

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

MPlunkett, you are correct. The lower the fuel level in your tank, the harder the pump has to work shortening the life of the pump. I've never let my tank go below 1/4.

 

[GAmes]

The low light works off the sender, not a separate float, so if it is reading low the light will come on sooner than needed. If it is working right you should only have about 5 gallons left.

 

[Bseg]

My '97 seems to come on when I still have 7 gallons left in the tank. It's got a 35 gallon tank.

 

[redram3]

Right at 8 Gal,s here

 

[bmoeller]

Right at 8 Gal,s here

'Bout the same.

 

[ntillm01]

Low fuel light comes on at 1/8 tank indicated fuel level, per DC specification. I then check the DTE on the trip computer and it usually gives me 40-50 miles left (to "E" I figure). I can run those miles down to zero, gauge on E, pull into the gas... ummm... fuel station and struggle to get more than 30 gallons in it. I figure the 5 gallons is more of an emergency reserve.



I don't know how much harder the Lift pump is working at that level, But there is another thing to consider. The length of that tank is pretty long, and with 5 gallons in it, parking (or running for that matter) uphill or downhill could leave the pickup high and dry.

 

[justinp20012500]

When my light comes on I can put 32 gallons in the tank.



Not very much room for error.



The fuel level senders commonly go bad on these truck.







Justin

 

[rweis]

Remember the fuel COOLS the VP. You need some in there to help cool the VP. There was an old thread about "pumps, lines, and what not" and the temp of the fuel rose significantly when it got low.



I get about 25 gal in mine.



Bob Weis

 

[OTRPU]

Well I don't think the dang thing is linear at all. When I hit a quarter the light comes on, but when sitting on the E mark I've got at least 6 gallons in the tank. For only having a 35 gallon tank I've pumped 38+ into it, at least that's what the pump said and what I paid for. Truthfully I've never had balls enough to starve the injectors like I used to do with my 96 PSD with two tanks. Only way to find out what it holds is to run it dry. . . takes more guts than I've got.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[BryceC]

Thanks for all the responses. I thought just mine was off, but it looks like they are all over the place from everyone's responses. I normally wouldn't run any vehicle under 1/4 tank, but with my truck being on "E" is pretty much the 1/4 tank mark.



My main concern for it was on making long trips, We would always fill around the 1/4 tank mark, but doing that we were getting only 20 gallons or so in it. Knowing that I can still go quite a bit farther makes quite a difference. Especially since here in the Pacific Northwest a 100-150 mile difference can mean a $0. 30-$0. 50 per gallon price difference.



Thanks again.

 

[Bart]

According to the shop manual, 154 inch wheel base vehicles have a 26 gal tank everything else has a 35. I have never been able to get more than 25/26 gallons in mine. Couple weeks ago I drove some four miles after the light came on. I was sweating too. Still only 26 gallons. I have the paper tag numbers off the tank and a friend at the deal parts counter (wonder why ). I'm going to have him run those number to be sure. I still get uneasy when that light comes on. I like to pick and choose where I buy fuel but some times I chicken out.

 

[Kirwin]

154" wheel base truck question

Are you sure about that number Bart? My 97 CC LB 155" wheel base truck has a 35 gallon tank. I thought it was the regular cab SB trucks that had the smaller tank. I thought as Thomas said above, all long beds and quad/club cab diesels had the 35 gallon tank. Ken Irwin

 

[Thomas]

... I thought it was the regular cab SB trucks that had the smaller tank...

And the only regular cab short bed Rams are 1500's. You won't find the 26 gallon tank on model year 2002 2500's or 3500's.

 

[ROCK KRIES]

fuel guage

My 01 manual says the short beds have a 35 gl tank and the long beds 36. I have had my truck to the dealer twice under extended warrenty for the sending unit. It is still screwed up. When full the guage goes past full. At 1/8 tank the low light comes on and DTE says 52 miles. Fill to the top and only takes 25 GL. Last time I filled DTE stayed at 535 while driven 26 miles before it came down any. Than at 1/8 as I headed to the station for fill up the guage moved up between 1/8 and 1/4 DTE went up also. I figure the more I drive the more gas I make. Should I just give up or take it back to the dealer again!!!!

Rock

 

[ntillm01]

Guys, all of that sounds normal. The Low Fuel light is supposed to come on at 1/8 tank. I have heard that is a corporate standard for DC. At "E" when I fill my tank I regularly put in 29. 5 to 30 gal. If I fill at "Low Fuel", 25 gallons. Trying to run until the tank is completely dry is risky. Think of taking a 5 gallon bucket of paint and dumping it into a horse trough. It would be about a couple inches high. That's about what you've got with 5 gallons left in that big long tank. As it sloshes around, or you park nose up or nose down the pick up is uncovered and can suck air.



As far as DTE not moving for a few miles, it probably because its filled to the top of the neck, and it isn't seeing any change in fuel level. That float is pinned up against the top of the tank until you run enough fuel out of the filler neck.



As far as a fuel gauge moving back up, are you sure it isn't because of a little fuel slosh?



my 0. 02