Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Low Fuel Flash and 0 MPH???

I know that it's hard to diag. "hit or miss" problems, but for the past three days I've been driving down the road ( the first 70+ on Interstate and the last 2 around 45 on city street) and the low fuel light has flashed on and then the speedo drops to 0 mph, jumped up to like 80 and then drops back down to resume actual speed.

Each day it's only happened once, and it's been in the morning or afternoon. I've filled up with premium gas, checked fuses - done everything I can think of to figure out the problem.

I was hoping someone else has had this problem.

Oh, and by the way, the CEL never has come on.

I have the exact same problem. Have not idea what it is. It doesnt affect the driving or anything just happens fast and things go back to normal. One thing I would ask you is, Does your car seem to be normal. I have experienced a pretty severe loss of hp and just wonder if it has anything to do with this. This doesnt happen when the light comes on but when I am pushing the car past 5000 it struggles.

I couldn't find the wiring design transmital for the 1998, but based on the 99.5 and my memory...
The cluster gets the vehicle speed from either the PCM (98.5 in Europe, later in the US) or a vehicle speed sensor. The cluster gets the fuel level signal from a different source. Assuming that you only have a single failure, the problem is internal to the cluster. Since the low fuel light goes ON in this condition, the cluster still has power.

Do any other lights come on when this happens? If so, the cluster is probably reseting. If not, you probably need a new cluster to fix the issue. However, there shouldn't be any drivability concerns, so I probably wouldn't go through the expense unless you have an extended warranty.

Question #1:

No, I'm not experiencing power loss. hehe...of course I don't have much power to begin with with my Zetec...


#2:

No other lights are coming on...and I haven't tripped the CEL either.

I appreciate the replies. I may try resetting the computer and see what happenes. I don't plan on taking it in to the shop for the problem...it's just sort of annoying Once again, thanks guys.

Possibly clogged line or filthy fuel filter.

Hadn't thought of that, but I changed the filter 2 months ago. Tried running gas treatment through too.

According to the diagram in the Haynes manual, all the info to the cluster goes through the Instrument Interface Module, which, also according the the Haynes manual, is located under the driver's side of the dash. Granted, this is the Haynes manual and I am by no means an electronics genius, but this appears to be the only other place, besides the cluster itself, that these otherwise unrelated systems are connected. I had the same problem about a year ago. It happened 10-12 times and then went away. I never bothered looking for the IIM after that, but I know someone on this board has. That could be another place to start.

my truck did that when i was heading home last summer...it started jerking, went to 0, then went back to my clocked speed....strange..

but now i have to replace the electronic valve/pump & meter for my truck....i was turning a corner and my truck went *CLUNK*...and turned off, my rear fuel tank valve/pump & meter went to sh*t...and i have a full tank of gas that has been in there for about a month now...lol