2000 XJ gas warning light / tank capacity etc

C

centuryhouse

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Dallas, TX
Hi all - just did my 2nd gas fill up on the 2000 XJ that I got last week. I was really surprised to have gotten an average of 19.3 mpg out of this tank of gas, most of which was in town, city driving and very little highway.

One oddity I noticed was that the gas warning light came on when it showed 1/8th of a tank, but a fill-up (including topping it off) only allowed me to put 14 gallons in.

From what I've read it's a 20 gallon tank. That means the gas warning light comes on when there is still 6 gallons in the tank! Is there a way to recalibrate this?

If not, then I'd like to know exactly how far this car will go on a tank in a pinch. Is there any harm to running it out of gas? I could carry a 5 gal can with me for when it does...but I don't want to risk messing up the fuel pump or filter. What do you think?
 
Yes its a "twenty" gallon tank but its not uncommon to only get 17-18 gallons on a full fill up. 14 sounds a little lite to me tho. Did you top off passed 14? Did the pump automatically shut off at 14?
 
Each gauge is different, my XJ's original fuel sender took 4 gallons, when the fuel light came on.
The new Bosch pump assy take 5 gallons, too early in my opinion but it's not adjustable. It's better than nothing.
 
Mine comes on at 1/8 tank too, although I can usually get about 15 in it on fill-up. Mind you, there's only about 19 gal. usable in there.(Most I've ever put in the tank was 19.2 and is was sputtering from low pressure when I pulled into the pump)

Something I noticed about my gas gauge is when the reserve light comes on, the gauge drops to empty over the course of the next 10 miles of driving. Any body else notice this?
 
Mine does that too. I think the gauge is programmed to work that way, much like the voltmeter (too low/normal/too high). But, it will usually come back up after I shut it down for a few mintues and then start driving again, then it falls quickly again. Not sure if that's a sender with 195K miles, or it's meant to get your attention. I can put between 13 and 15 gallons in the tank when the light comes on.
 
I read online today about a mod that will allow the XJ tank to hold 25 gallons instead of 20. Pretty cool idea - works better on the metal tank apparently, but will work on the plastic as well from what I read in one place.
 
Not sure about the later models, but I know on the 96-down the light comes on, and goes off a few times before it STAYS on. I have a REnix XJ and the PO put a dent in the tank. The one time shortly after I got it when ran dry, I was able to get 18.5 gallons in it. Haven't done the "nozzle mod" yet, but when I change my fuel pump I will.
Transfer flow actually makes a bolt-in replacement, to the factory location, which is a 30-gallon tank. Uses the stock fuel pump and all.
 
i read somewhere, maybe in an owners manual, that the light "should" come on with 2 gallons left. my experience with a couple XJs and ZJs has proven that statement for the most part.
 
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