Fuel Gauge Problem

I appreciate being pointed in a workable direction guys! Thank you all.....


"Grip" <mbetts RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Tf6dnSlS1eeXJVnanZ2dnUVZ_qelnZ2d@suscom.com...
> 98 Tacoma 4X4 3.4 x-cab. Bought it new, best vehicle I've ever had
> but>............. since new the fuel gauge has been whacky.....after about
a
> hundred miles, it reads empty, sometimes to pop back up.....then after
> filling the tank, it stays on empty for another 60-100 miles, then pops
back
> up. I have learned to use my A odemeter as my fuel gauge. Dealer through
the
> years has checked it out and said nothing was wrong...go figure. I'm been
so
> used to it it's normal for me anymore but any ideas? Thanks
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Gauge Problem 

I'm sorry not to be more helpful, but the ex-wife took the 2000 4-Runner and
the maintenance file I had. That said, I had the same problem on that 2000
4-Runner. Back then, I was able to find a factory service bulletin that
allowed for the reset of the fuel gauge using a combination of push button
strokes on the odometer reset button. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I
did their procedure and my fuel gauge never gave me another problem. If
you've had this problem since vehicle new, you might consider that it's not
some sort of deposit build up.

After "fixing" my problem, I read about the TSB that told mechanics to
replace the fuel sender. I took my written procedure to my local Toyota
service manager, and he gave me a free set of spark plugs and a case of oil
filters - he was quite pleased to get an alternative.

I'm sorry I no longer have the written procedure, as I said, the ex got the
file. My point is, I found the procedure while digging on the internet back
in 2001. I'm guessing that it's still out there - buried somewhere.
Good Luck!

"Grip" <mbetts.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:cJKdnT6sxJK8B1ranZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@suscom.com...
>I appreciate being pointed in a workable direction guys! Thank you all.....
>
>
> "Grip" <mbetts.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:Tf6dnSlS1eeXJVnanZ2dnUVZ_qelnZ2d@suscom.com...
>> 98 Tacoma 4X4 3.4 x-cab. Bought it new, best vehicle I've ever had
>> but>............. since new the fuel gauge has been whacky.....after
>> about
> a
>> hundred miles, it reads empty, sometimes to pop back up.....then after
>> filling the tank, it stays on empty for another 60-100 miles, then pops
> back
>> up. I have learned to use my A odemeter as my fuel gauge. Dealer through
> the
>> years has checked it out and said nothing was wrong...go figure. I'm been
> so
>> used to it it's normal for me anymore but any ideas? Thanks
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Gauge Problem 

"Dan Swensen" <Ihatespam.RemoveThis@noreply.com> wrote in message
news:7pmdnTTn_MzmhFXanZ2dnUVZ_gOdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I'm sorry not to be more helpful, but the ex-wife took the 2000 4-Runner
and
> the maintenance file I had. That said, I had the same problem on that
2000
> 4-Runner. Back then, I was able to find a factory service bulletin that
> allowed for the reset of the fuel gauge using a combination of push button
> strokes on the odometer reset button. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I
> did their procedure and my fuel gauge never gave me another problem. If
> you've had this problem since vehicle new, you might consider that it's
not
> some sort of deposit build up.
>
> After "fixing" my problem, I read about the TSB that told mechanics to
> replace the fuel sender. I took my written procedure to my local Toyota
> service manager, and he gave me a free set of spark plugs and a case of
oil
> filters - he was quite pleased to get an alternative.
>
> I'm sorry I no longer have the written procedure, as I said, the ex got
the
> file. My point is, I found the procedure while digging on the internet
back
> in 2001. I'm guessing that it's still out there - buried somewhere.
> Good Luck!
>
> "Grip" <mbetts.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:cJKdnT6sxJK8B1ranZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@suscom.com...
> >I appreciate being pointed in a workable direction guys! Thank you
all.....
> >
> >
> > "Grip" <mbetts.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:Tf6dnSlS1eeXJVnanZ2dnUVZ_qelnZ2d@suscom.com...
> >> 98 Tacoma 4X4 3.4 x-cab. Bought it new, best vehicle I've ever had
> >> but>............. since new the fuel gauge has been whacky.....after
> >> about
> > a
> >> hundred miles, it reads empty, sometimes to pop back up.....then after
> >> filling the tank, it stays on empty for another 60-100 miles, then pops
> > back
> >> up. I have learned to use my A odemeter as my fuel gauge. Dealer
through
> > the
> >> years has checked it out and said nothing was wrong...go figure. I'm
been
> > so
> >> used to it it's normal for me anymore but any ideas? Thanks
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

Hey, that did gfet me looking elsewhere, thanks! The price of replacing send
unit+labor is unbelievable....I'll keep using the trip meter. I've been
doing thus for years now and am used to it, but was worth asking...
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Gauge Problem 

"Grip" <mbetts RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:neednYdmI-Ifo1XanZ2dnUVZ_uOmnZ2d@suscom.com...
>
> "Dan Swensen" <Ihatespam RemoveThis @noreply.com> wrote in message
> news:7pmdnTTn_MzmhFXanZ2dnUVZ_gOdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm sorry not to be more helpful, but the ex-wife took the 2000 4-Runner
> and
>> the maintenance file I had. That said, I had the same problem on that
> 2000
>> 4-Runner. Back then, I was able to find a factory service bulletin that
>> allowed for the reset of the fuel gauge using a combination of push
>> button
>> strokes on the odometer reset button. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but
>> I
>> did their procedure and my fuel gauge never gave me another problem. If
>> you've had this problem since vehicle new, you might consider that it's
> not
>> some sort of deposit build up.
>>
>> After "fixing" my problem, I read about the TSB that told mechanics to
>> replace the fuel sender. I took my written procedure to my local Toyota
>> service manager, and he gave me a free set of spark plugs and a case of
> oil
>> filters - he was quite pleased to get an alternative.
>>
>> I'm sorry I no longer have the written procedure, as I said, the ex got
> the
>> file. My point is, I found the procedure while digging on the internet
> back
>> in 2001. I'm guessing that it's still out there - buried somewhere.
>> Good Luck!
>>
>> "Grip" <mbetts RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:cJKdnT6sxJK8B1ranZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@suscom.com...
>> >I appreciate being pointed in a workable direction guys! Thank you
> all.....
>> >
>> >
>> > "Grip" <mbetts RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
>> > news:Tf6dnSlS1eeXJVnanZ2dnUVZ_qelnZ2d@suscom.com...
>> >> 98 Tacoma 4X4 3.4 x-cab. Bought it new, best vehicle I've ever had
>> >> but>............. since new the fuel gauge has been whacky.....after
>> >> about
>> > a
>> >> hundred miles, it reads empty, sometimes to pop back up.....then after
>> >> filling the tank, it stays on empty for another 60-100 miles, then
>> >> pops
>> > back
>> >> up. I have learned to use my A odemeter as my fuel gauge. Dealer
> through
>> > the
>> >> years has checked it out and said nothing was wrong...go figure. I'm
> been
>> > so
>> >> used to it it's normal for me anymore but any ideas? Thanks
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
> Hey, that did gfet me looking elsewhere, thanks! The price of replacing
> send
> unit+labor is unbelievable....I'll keep using the trip meter. I've been
> doing thus for years now and am used to it, but was worth asking...
>
>

I was able to clean the sensor contacts in my BMW to solve essentially the
same problem. I have a '94 325i, and the fuel level would not float to Full
after filling the tank. I pulled the sensor out of the tank and cleaned the
contact strip (a wiper sort of thing) with a rough-surfaced business card
and a liberal dose of contact cleaner.

Since your level sensor has displayed wrong from very early in your
ownership experience, and my BMW took 10+ years to develop a similar
problem, I have to go with the software fix before taking the gas tank
apart. (I did not know there was a software fix until I read it here.)
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Gauge Problem 

The Bosch Motronic systems actually have periodic software updates.
Not sure when the likes of BMW, Volvo, VW, MB, etc update them, maybe
during major maintenance or such.

Yeah, with these European cars it's almost like you drive the
computer, and then the computer drives the car. Kinda annoying for the
shade tree mechanics, but makes lots of safety features, like Volvo's
automatic collision avoidance braking system possible.


On Feb 29, 11:44 am, "Jeff Strickland" <cr....RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> Since your level sensor has displayed wrong from very early in your
> ownership experience, and my BMW took 10+ years to develop a similar
> problem, I have to go with the software fix before taking the gas tank
> apart. (I did not know there was a software fix until I read it here.)
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Gauge Problem 

Thanks to Dan's suggestion and a little googling. Don't know if it's
the same thing, but Grip can give it a try:

Toyota TSB EL010-99 Fuel Gauge Calibration Procedure

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=471755&page=&vi...&sb=5&o




On Feb 29, 9:18 am, "Grip" <mbe... DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote:
> "Dan Swensen" <Ihates... DeleteThis @noreply.com> wrote in message

> Hey, that did gfet me looking elsewhere, thanks! The price of replacing send
> unit+labor is unbelievable....I'll keep using the trip meter. I've been
> doing thus for years now and am used to it, but was worth asking...
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Gauge Problem 

Yep, that's the one. All I can say is that it worked for me!!

Dan

<johngdole.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1440d633-913b-4134-9392-572bbfc89ee4@s37g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks to Dan's suggestion and a little googling. Don't know if it's
> the same thing, but Grip can give it a try:
>
> Toyota TSB EL010-99 Fuel Gauge Calibration Procedure
>
> http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=471755&page=&vi...&sb=5&o
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 29, 9:18 am, "Grip" <mbe....TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote:
>> "Dan Swensen" <Ihates....TakeThisOut@noreply.com> wrote in message
>
>> Hey, that did gfet me looking elsewhere, thanks! The price of replacing
>> send
>> unit+labor is unbelievable....I'll keep using the trip meter. I've been
>> doing thus for years now and am used to it, but was worth asking...
>
 >> Stay informed about: Fuel Gauge Problem