Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Service & Maintenance

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-19-2008, 10:42 AM   #1
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default Gas light comes on too soon

It has happened twice now. The gas light comes on when there is still about 1/8 of a tank left (according to the gas guage). I consistantly get the same gas mileage since I drive mostly highways, and according to my odometer, there is still a good deal of gas left in the tank when the gas light comes on. Any thoughts on what could be causing this? Car is 2006 WRX Tr, 45K miles, stock. Thanks.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 03-19-2008, 12:17 PM   #2
Jim2752
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 147610
Join Date: Apr 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: New Jersey
Vehicle:
2007 Stage 2 STi
WRB

Default

I had this same problem with my jeep. When you get gas do you fill up your tank or only put in a few gallons? I have no idea if this will work for your car but the solution for my jeep was a trip to Florida. After going through a couple tanks of gas the gauge started working right.
Jim2752 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 12:39 PM   #3
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default

Always drive it til it's empty, then fill it.
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 01:28 PM   #4
a6n6d6y
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 123347
Join Date: Aug 2006
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: SEATTLE
Vehicle:
1993 POS
burgandy legacy

Default

how much does it take to fill it after the light comes on ?
a6n6d6y is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 01:32 PM   #5
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default

Not sure since it's only happened twice, but I see what you're getting at. If it take a full tank even though it's not showing "empty", something is screwed up. But any idea as so what would be causing this? Is something lose? broken?
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 02:29 PM   #6
funky monk
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 143094
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Vehicle:
08 LGT
DBM

Default

I remember this happened to me once. The light was on much earlier than normal, I filled the tank and went on my way. Hasn't happened since.
funky monk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 02:41 PM   #7
WRXLTD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 136314
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: A$$achusetts
Vehicle:
2014 Grand Cherokee

Default

We have low gas level idiot lights?



My tank is never less than 1/4...never seen this light come on.
WRXLTD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 02:43 PM   #8
skydes
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 141347
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Anaheim, California
Vehicle:
2005 WRX
WRB

Default

My light comes on where there is about 4 gallons left.
skydes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 02:43 PM   #9
madkayaker
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 57378
Join Date: Mar 2004
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Macon, Ga
Vehicle:
2002 wrx w/ sti swap
04 sti, 11 forester xt

Default

sometimes mine comes on at a 1/4 then goes back off. I rarely let it get that low though.
madkayaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 03:16 PM   #10
MOBBiN
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 128441
Join Date: Oct 2006
Chapter/Region: AKIC
Location: Prudhoe Bay / Eagle River
Vehicle:
2006 STi WRB
01 BRP RS, 01 Silver XJ

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXLTD View Post
We have low gas level idiot lights?



My tank is never less than 1/4...never seen this light come on.
+11111
you should NEVER let it get past a 1/4 tank
MOBBiN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 03:38 PM   #11
jasonallenross
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 125978
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Shrewsbury, MA
Vehicle:
2002 WRX Wagon
Silver

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MOBBiN View Post
+11111
you should NEVER let it get past a 1/4 tank
Well, why don't they just make the tank 1/4 bigger?
jasonallenross is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 03:53 PM   #12
zombiekiller
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 167010
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Somewhere in the Ford Galaxie
Default

letting gas tank fall below 1/4 = shorter fuel pump life = teh suck.

fill it up sooner.
zombiekiller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 04:01 PM   #13
sluflyer06
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 111641
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: St. Louis, MO
Vehicle:
2020 CWP STi
RIP - 06' WRX w/ 6spd

Default

I've heard that as well...I'm sure I really shouldn't be running mine down to the light with a Walbro every tank. I just like the feeling of getting a fresh full tank of gas LOL.

I think even subaru says not to get into boost once the gas light comes on, so I'm sure we shouldn't be running it that low. I'm actually suprised I haven't had any fueling problems with a near empty tank and a walbro. My best friends drag car runs a GSS342 and runs into major fuel pressure problems below 1/4 tank.
sluflyer06 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 04:17 PM   #14
my scoop eats babies
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 174894
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Manchester, NH
Vehicle:
2002 WRX
Silver

Default

I think this is pretty normal. For my car, the gas light will come on if I start the car with 1/4 tank or even a little more. It will stay on for 2 minutes, then shut off until it's down to just above empty, then it comes on and stays on.
my scoop eats babies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 04:22 PM   #15
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default

So I guess the conclusions here are that:

1. I shouldn't worry about it. It will go away.
2. I should get gas before the light comes on.

It reminds me of when I was a little kid. I would fall and scrape my knees. Later, I would hit them on something by accident and say, "Ouch, that hurts." And my parent's would say, "Well if that hurts, don't do it."

So I guess I could hope it goes away or never let the tank get below 1/4 tank, but the problem would still exist.
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 04:23 PM   #16
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by my scoop eats babies View Post
I think this is pretty normal. For my car, the gas light will come on if I start the car with 1/4 tank or even a little more. It will stay on for 2 minutes, then shut off until it's down to just above empty, then it comes on and stays on.
What year is your car?
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 04:52 PM   #17
my scoop eats babies
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 174894
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Manchester, NH
Vehicle:
2002 WRX
Silver

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 06AWD View Post
What year is your car?
It's an 02.
my scoop eats babies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 05:34 PM   #18
manookie
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 125495
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Sugarhood, UT
Vehicle:
06 Wrx
SGM stg 5+4-7

Default

I've had this issue too. I thought nothing of it until the gas light came on with a full tank and the car threw a cel. bad fuel sending unit. the dealer said its a pretty common occurance.
manookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 05:42 PM   #19
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default

^^^ And what was the resolution?
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 05:50 PM   #20
wango55
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 139895
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: CT
Vehicle:
10 2.5i Sedan
Dark Gray Metallic

Default

Isn't the Gas light supposed to come on with around 2 gallons left in the tank?

If the gas tank is 15.9 gallons, then 1/8 remaining would be 2 gallons right?

I'm not trying to be a jerk - I hope that's the case and nothing is wrong with your car!
wango55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2008, 08:03 PM   #21
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default

Yes, you are right, in fact. 2 gallons is 1/8th of 15.9. Just wondering why this would be the first time it would have come on since I bought it in November of 2005.
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2008, 12:04 AM   #22
manookie
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 125495
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Sugarhood, UT
Vehicle:
06 Wrx
SGM stg 5+4-7

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 06AWD View Post
^^^ And what was the resolution?
they had to replace the fuel sending unit... they did so under warranty. they said it would have been around $400 had it not been covered.
manookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2008, 08:51 AM   #23
06AWD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 112843
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
2011 SWP STI Sedan
Speedline/RCE/Cobb

Default

Would not replacing the fuel sending unit lead to additional issues? Or is it more of an inconvienence, as in having the gas light come on too soon?
06AWD is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Gas light comes on early Cakesniffer Service & Maintenance 2 01-08-2009 01:38 AM
gas light comes on early hockeygm Service & Maintenance 10 12-09-2008 07:08 PM
when does your gas light come on? Horten Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.0L Turbo) 15 05-18-2004 10:49 PM
How much gas is left when the low gas light comes on? catass STi Forum Archive 11 06-30-2003 06:21 PM
check engine light comes on at low gas? halftendril General Community 1 11-28-2002 02:49 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:28 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.