Fuel Gauge 2001 4 Runner Mis-Reading

External Since: May 13, 2006 Posts: 161

Yesterday, within about five miles of the fuel warning light coming on
(normally about 3 gallons left), I apparently ran out of gas on I-5. I
was at first sure that something else had gone wrong, as I saw the check
engine light come on, but that was actually a result of the truck
stalling. I was able to restart the engine long enough to get off the
freeway, then I coasted into a place that sold fuel (an old country
store/bar that was still using pumps with mechanical counters).

The fuel gauge seems to be working, it goes up when the fuel level goes up.

I-5 in that area is a very slight downgrade, but OTOH, the rear of the
vehicle was sagging slightly under the weight of four bicycles on a
hitch mounted rack (probably 150 pounds including the rack). Where is
the float in the tank for the 2001 4Runner, and what effect could the
non-level nature have on the fuel level?

External Since: Jul 26, 2005 Posts: 780

There is a low fuel sensor that's separate from the floater. That
sensor may be malfunctioning. You can test the gauge and low fuel
light by jumping the connector just outside the tank. Not sure which
pins. Check Haynes or other manuals.

On Jun 22, 7:25 am, SMS <scharf.ste....RemoveThis@geemail.com> wrote:
> Yesterday, within about five miles of the fuel warning light coming on
> (normally about 3 gallons left), I apparently ran out of gas on I-5. I
> was at first sure that something else had gone wrong, as I saw the check
> engine light come on, but that was actually a result of the truck
> stalling. I was able to restart the engine long enough to get off the
> freeway, then I coasted into a place that sold fuel (an old country
> store/bar that was still using pumps with mechanical counters).
>
> The fuel gauge seems to be working, it goes up when the fuel level goes up.
>
> I-5 in that area is a very slight downgrade, but OTOH, the rear of the
> vehicle was sagging slightly under the weight of four bicycles on a
> hitch mounted rack (probably 150 pounds including the rack). Where is
> the float in the tank for the 2001 4Runner, and what effect could the
> non-level nature have on the fuel level?