Flashing Fuel Indicator

[mkmort]

As we were driving yesterday - fuel at 1/2 full on the interstate at about 75mph the fuel indicator went to full and then started flashing no other lights came on. I called the dealer as I could find nothing in the manual on this. They never called back after I left a message. We stopped and filled the tank. It did not do it again but just wanted to check if others have had this problem and should we be concerned? It is a 2009 Passion 4two with 15555 miles. Maintenance is not due. The dealer is about 2 hours away so not convenient to drop off for a checkup. I thought maybe it was a loose gas cap however there is another indicator for that.

[jimvw57]

Thats a new one! I have had my gas cap light come on a few times while I am driving, but not the low fuel indicator.

[SmartDigger]

New to me. Never heard of such a thing

[John_H]

I haven't heard of this before. From a system design perspective, the flashing could indicate the computer doesn't recognize communications from the fuel level sensor anymore so flashing is the way to indicate to the user that something's wrong. If it were a glitch, it will either happen more (some electronics are starting to fail) or it was a one time thing (a cosmic ray flipped a bit unexpectedly or a radio tower pushed a little too much instantaneous energy into the electronics - usually very benign events).

[wiltjk]

Just curious, anything plugged into the ODB2 port under the dash?

I'm starting to notice that sometimes when I reboot my DashDAQ connected to the ODB2 port, the ESP warning lamp stays lit until I turn off/restart the smart.

[mkmort]

Nope nothing was plugged into it.

[mkmort]

Dealer called me today -she said that it is a reserve tank indicator - which doesn't make any sense because we stopped and filled it up and it only took 3 gallons. We figure it was a fluke but will keep an eye on it and have them check it when we take it in for service.

[John_H]

A flashing fuel pump icon is a reserve tank indicator.

Some people just can't understand what's described to them!

[BB Benz]

Originally Posted by mkmort

Dealer called me today -she said that it is a reserve tank indicator - which doesn't make any sense because we stopped and filled it up and it only took 3 gallons. We figure it was a fluke but will keep an eye on it and have them check it when we take it in for service.

I'd be wanting to check for dirty or loose connections to the fuel level sender. Spray connector contacts with a contact cleaner that enhances electrical properties and displaces moisture. The fun part is locating those connections. Probably behind the splash pan.'
Headed to evilution.

[mkmort]

It wasn't the fuel tank symbol that was flashing it was ALL the segment indicators. It would fill all the segments and then start flashing. I have gone to the reserve tank before this was different.