Gas light

[felpz123]

is it normal for the gas light to flash on and off? most cars once it comes on it stays on..

and how long does your tank usually last after it comes on?

94 camry 4cyl, thanks

[bootcamper]

Don't have enough info here to begin with. Does it happen with full tank of gas too? or does it happen only on inclines with less gas? You may have a main bus failure. Check the fuse under the hood inside the electric panel. Have you ever given your cars fuel pump a flush? It will be good if you do it carefully and professionally. Look for DIY.

[bigbird]

if by flash, you mean it turns on and off slowly and for a minute or a few secs at a time...then yes, its normal(if not then what he said ^). the low gas lights is linked to the float which moves up and down depending on level in the tank. to keep the fuel level form jumping up and down rapidly the fuel level gauge moves very slowly(you can see this when filling up the tank). if your on down slope then the tank will read higher...inverse for up slope. eventually it will be low enough to stay solid no matter the pitch of the car.

[Mike Gerber]

"is it normal for the gas light to flash on and off?"

This sounds normal to me. The gas is probably sloshing around in the tank as you drive. This can turn the light on and off as the level appears to change just a bit.

"and how long does your tank usually last after it comes on?"

Most have about 3 to 4 gallons left when the light comes on. You can do your own test. When it comes on next time fill the tank. Your tank holds 18-1/2 gallons. Then just do the math.

Mike

[bootcamper]

Yea. Like they said here. And also know this, the low fuel light indicator is not any normal on-off light with a transistor driven relay circuit. Its a U44 Solid state thyristor driven relay circuit. Semiconductor companies don't even manufacture 'Thyristors' anymore (used in Voyager spacecraft mission). Meaning, as the fuel goes low, the light slowly starts glowing. More intense light means, very low fuel, and then it stays on. The intensity of the light is proportional to the resistive load from the float as it bobs up. This is very hard to notice because of the small orange transparency/light bulb. That circuit has a very VERY low failure probability and high tolerance. Chances of an internal circuit failure is almost impossible even on a direct collision.

(by the way, the Voyager 1 satellite built sent up in 1977 is still functions and relays back info, still does its self diagnostics and has flown past Neptune and Pluto, has gone past our solar system, into deep space and interstellar space, has gone farther than any man-made object ever built. The reliability of those electronics is unmatchable by any modern technology.)

[islandboy57]

My gen 5.5 does that. It seems to turn on initially when my fuel gets low, then turn off. If I keep driving it'll stay on constantly. I can't remember how the gen 3.5 works, I've only seen the low gas light on once or twice since I usually fill up at half tank for my mom. My Camry on the other hand, I run it down to E if I don't have time to fill up (like this week)

[felpz123]

found an awesome site guys

http://tankonempty.com/viewcar/Toyota/Camry

tells the average amount each car gets when the light comes on

and ya, i figured the light was supposed to come on and off since i live in a very mountainous and hilly area